Texas – Close Parish Coal Internship

At Public Citizen’s Texas office, we work primarily on environmental issues, with a focus on preserving a livable climate by encouraging state and local action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We work to encourage a rapid transition to clean, renewable energy, increased deployment of public transportation, transportation electrification, electrification of home heating and other appliances, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the products we use and the waste we produce. In addition to climate change, environmental justice is a strong theme that connects our work —we advocate for reducing air pollution, especially in the most vulnerable communities, and establishing policies and programs to ensure that everyone can benefit from the transition to a more sustainable way of living.

The Close Parish Coal coalition began in 2022 after a chemical leak at the W.A. Parish coal plant sent several workers to the hospital with another 100+ workers evaluated. The state’s largest coal plant, located in Fort Bend County southwest of Houston, continues to pollute and harm Texans. As a coalition, our goal is to envision a brighter future with healthier communities, a cleaner environment, and sustainable energy security. By educating locals, engaging in public engagement opportunities, and advocating for renewable energy, we continue to build the case for a just energy transition.

The Close Parish Coal Intern will work with our Houston organizer to advance efforts on a number of campaigns within the Close Parish Coal coalition. The intern’s work will likely touch on a variety of issue areas, including energy transition, local solar, water testing, air monitoring, corporate research, and more. This will be a great opportunity to get hands-on experience working within an organization-based coalition alongside grassroots and community leaders.

Intern will do some or all of the following:

• Research
• Write blog posts and reports
• Participate in community organizing and coalition meetings
• Assist with social media
• Assist with events
• Attend community meetings to share information about our campaign

Qualifications:

• Desire to work in the public’s interest
• Demonstrated interest in climate action and sustainability
• Self-motivation and a desire to learn
• Attention to detail
• Organized
• Commitment and reliability

Desired, but Not Required:

• Education and/or experience related climate change or other environmental issues
• Ties to communities in Fort Bend County
• Any experience with graphics, video or social media

Duration:

• At least 12 weeks
• Minimum of 15 hours per week

Location:

• hybrid – remote work with some in-person events, meetings, etc.
• when in-person: Fort Bend County, TX

Pay:

• We hire both paid and unpaid interns.
• Paid interns will earn $17.95 per hour.

To Apply:

To apply, email Kaiba White (kwhite@citizen.org) the following, with “Close Parish Coal Internship” as the email subject:

• Cover letter outlining why you want to intern at Public Citizen, why you need to be paid for your work, and any other relevant information not found on your resume
• Resume
• If you have completed the FAFSA, a copy of your Submission Summary (important for paid intern candidates)
• Writing sample (something you already wrote)
• Graphics, videos, and/or social media content you have created (optional)

Submit applications by April 3, 2026.