EPIC: Environmental Working Group (EWG) – Government Affairs (Washington D.C.)

Job Title: Government Affairs Fellow

Department/Team: Multidisciplinary team at the Environmental Working Group

Location: Hybrid or fully in-person in Washington, DC

Duration: 35-40 hours per week for ten weeks over the summer

Areas of Interest: Human health and the environment, legislative and regulatory research, public health policy and advocacy

Summer 2023 Fellows:

Summer 2024 Fellows:

Summer 2025 Fellows:

Office Description

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a leading national nonprofit based in Washington, DC, is seeking a dynamic and innovative Government Affairs Fellow to join our multidisciplinary team. At EWG, our team of scientists, policy experts, lawyers, media specialists, development staff, and programmers collaborates to protect human health and the environment.

For over two decades, EWG has conducted original research, analyzing government data, legal documents, scientific studies, and our laboratory findings to uncover threats to public health and the environment. Our groundbreaking work has redefined the conversation on environmental health, driving meaningful change from households to Capitol Hill.

Description of the Work

You will gain valuable skills in legislative and regulatory research and writing, advocacy strategies, nonprofit advocacy techniques. This fellowship offers a valuable opportunity to contribute to meaningful environmental and public health advocacy, gain hands-on experience in nonprofit operations, and develop essential skills for a career in government affairs or related fields.

List of Potential Projects/Activities:

Work closely with EWG’s Government Affairs team to support national legislative initiatives and oversight of state and federal actions impacting public health and the environment.
Research and support initiatives addressing farm subsidies and EWG’s broader policy work on pesticides, farm pollution, and conservation efforts.
Advocate for stronger food safety policies to eliminate hazardous chemicals in food products and promote safer alternatives.
Assist in advancing state and federal regulations to ensure chemicals are safe before entering the market, with a focus on removing hazardous substances like asbestos and PFAS.
Attend Capitol Hill and government agency hearings as part of professional development

Desired Skills

Interest in environmental health, public policy, or advocacy
Strong ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize information from diverse sources.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for different audiences.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and contribute to group projects.
Self-motivated with the capacity to work independently on assigned tasks
Commitment to EWG’s mission to protect public health and the environment

Logistics:

EPIC fellows are required to work full-time (35-40 hours per week) for 10 weeks over the summer, and will receive a stipend of $8,000 - $9,500, depending on financial need. This stipend is intended to help cover living and transportation expenses during the fellowship, which the student is expected to arrange and coordinate.
Start and end dates are flexible (start date no later than July 6, 2026).