Policy Fellow

Organization
The New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance (NJEJA)
Job Description

Location: New Jersey / Newark

Compensation: $2,500-$3,000 monthly stipend, depending on experience

Classification: Full-time, temporary (9-12 months)

Deadline Date: Open until filled

About the Organization

The New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance (NJEJA) is an alliance of New Jersey-based organizations and individuals committed to working together to create healthy, sustainable, and just communities by eliminating environmental injustices in low-income and communities of color. Together, we support and work with communities through local, state, and national policy development, targeted campaigns and organizing, education, advocacy, training, and technical assistance focused on critical environmental justice issues.

Role Overview

NJEJA seeks a Policy Fellow to support its environmental justice policy and advocacy efforts. This is an early-career, temporary position intended to provide hands-on experience in public policy and community engagement. The Fellow will work with the Director of Policy and other team members to implement community-informed campaigns and support coalition efforts.

You Are

This role is ideal for individuals exploring a career in policy or advocacy, and offers opportunities for mentorship, skill-building, and exposure to statewide environmental justice efforts. Our ideal candidate will have a background in Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, or a related field. The candidate will have a history of engaging with, analyzing, and developing policy, focusing on prioritizing community-led solutions.

Responsibilities

  • Lead NJEJA’s policy efforts around energy transmission and grid reliability; research issue areas such as price increases, AI data centers, and transmission impacts of new renewable projects.
  • Monitor actions taken by the NJ Board of Public Utilities and manage tracking, permits, and decisions.
  • Support Director of Policy’s work around NJ EJ Law permit and re-permit application tracking.
  • Acquire knowledge of cumulative impacts and mapping tools such as EJ Screen and the DEP’s EJ map tool.
  • Assist in tracking environmental and climate policy developments at the state and local levels.
  • Help prepare research briefs, bill markups, fact sheets, comment letters, memos, etc.
  • Support the development of NJEJA’s policy and campaign materials.
  • Represent NJEJA in coalitions, working groups, and public forums as assigned.
  • Participate in community engagement efforts to inform and shape the organization’s policy priorities.
  • Build cross-sector alliances with individuals and organizations working in Labor, Faith, Social Justice, and other areas aligned with our organizational values and approach.
  • Attend occasional meetings, events, and hearings in NJ and regionally.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Required Experience and Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Public Policy, or a related field; a Master’s degree or current enrollment in a graduate program is a plus. We also welcome applicants who have completed a degree and plan to pursue further graduate education.
  • Strong commitment to environmental, racial, and social justice values.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate across teams to ensure alignment across policy and community engagement efforts.
  • Prior experience in policy, advocacy, organizing, or public interest work (internships or volunteer work included).
  • The ability to work both virtually and in person at our Newark office.
  • The capacity to travel locally 1-2 times per month, and regionally as needed.
  • The ability to communicate NJEJA’s values and policy priorities to partners and decision-makers.

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time, temporary position. Fellows will receive a monthly stipend of $2,500-$3,000, depending on experience. There is an opportunity for professional development and growth within the organization. NJEJA maintains a flexible work environment that prioritizes our staff’s social, emotional, and physical well-being.

Application Process

Interested applicants should send a resume, cover letter, and short writing sample to jobs@njeja.org with your name and “Policy Fellow” in the subject line. Preferred candidates will be contacted for a virtual interview. The candidate will start upon hire.

Equal Opportunity Statement

NJEJA does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, creed, sex or gender (including gender identity and expression), pregnancy, sexual orientation, religion, religious practices, mental or physical disability, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, veteran status, genetics, familial status, civil union status, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait status or any other legally protected status. 

FT/PT
Full Time
Application Deadline