Campaign Organizing Intern – Spring 2026

The Environmental Law & Policy Center is seeking a Campaign Organizing Intern for Spring 2026 in Cedar Falls, IA. The intern will engage the community to drive policy changes at the municipal utility, focusing on a transition to clean energy. Responsibilities include recruiting and training volunteers, executing campaign strategies, and building relationships with local organizations. This part-time internship lasts about four months, starting in February 2026.
Job Description
Job DescriptionThe Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) seeks to hire a Campaign Organizing Intern to play a key role in engaging the Cedar Falls community to win policy and governance changes at the municipal utility. The Organizer will recruit, train, and mobilize community members; build relationships with coalition partners; and help execute campaign strategies that pressure decision-makers to commit to a fossil-free energy future.

This internship will be field-based in Cedar Falls, IA, with regular check-ins with local advisor and staff from Des Moines. Read on for more details.

Job Title: Campaign Organizing Intern – Municipal Utility Clean Energy Transition

Location: Cedar Falls, IA

Reports to: Policy Advocate, Des Moines office

Hours: This is a part-time position working 10-20 hours per week (based on the incumbent’s availability).

Duration of Internship: Start as early as February 2026 and run about four months

Compensation: $14.55/hour

About the Campaign
ELPC is spearheading a grassroots campaign working to secure a just transition of Cedar Falls Utilities electric generation away from fossil fuels and toward clean, affordable, and reliable energy. Our campaign centers community voices, climate advocacy, and democratic control of public resources to ensure that Cedar Falls Utilities is taking action to move away from fossil fuels towards a clean energy future.

Position Summary
The Campaign Organizing Intern will play a key role in engaging the Cedar Falls community to win policy and governance changes at the municipal utility. The Organizer will recruit, train, and mobilize community members; build relationships with coalition partners; and help execute campaign strategies that pressure decision-makers to commit to a fossil-free energy future.

This position is ideal for someone who cares deeply about climate change and is skilled and fearless in rallying the local community to support and advance policy addressing climate action and public accountability.

Key Responsibilities
Community Organizing & Base Building
• Recruit, train, and support volunteers, supporters, and community leaders to take action
• Conduct one-on-one conversations, outreach events, petition drives, and phone/text banking with the possibility of more expansive campaign activities like door-to-door canvassing as needed
• Develop volunteer leaders to take on increasing responsibility within the campaign
Campaign Strategy & Execution
• Support campaign plans to influence utility board members, city council, and other decision-makers
• Mobilize turnout for organizing events, public meetings, and direct actions
• Track supporter engagement and help maintain organizing databases
Coalition & Stakeholder Engagement
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, labor groups, environmental justice advocates, and faith or neighborhood leaders
• Coordinate joint actions and messaging with coalition partners
Communications & Narrative Support
• Support earned media, social media, and digital organizing efforts as needed
• Assist with message delivery and storytelling, including gathering constituent stories
Administrative & Reporting
• Document organizing activities and report progress toward campaign goals
• Assist with logistics for events, trainings, and meetings

Required Qualifications
• Commitment to climate action, environmental justice, and democratic public institutions
• Interest in energy, climate, utility, or municipal policy issues
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build trust across diverse communities
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as campaign needs require
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work both independently and as part of a team
• High degree of personal accountability in achieving outcomes

Bonus Qualifications
• Experience in community organizing, advocacy, electoral, or issue-based campaigns (paid or volunteer)
• Knowledge of local politics or municipal utility governance

Core Competencies
• Willingness to engage in relational organizing
• Strategic thinking and follow-through
• Comfort with public engagement and mobilization

About ELPC:
The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We drive transformational policy changes with national impacts.

We show that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together by putting sustainability principles into practice. We advance climate solutions effectively by accelerating clean renewable energy alternatives to conventional power plants and advancing clean transportation solutions. We protect the Great Lakes and defend the Midwest’s wild and natural places, and we fight for safe, clean water and healthy clean air for all. We combine effective public interest litigation with strategic policy advocacy, sound science, and economic analysis. ELPC produces strong results for the environment in the courtrooms, boardrooms, and legislative hearing rooms across the pivotal Midwest states and in Washington D.C.

Special Requirements:
Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required during special events.

Application Process:
Please apply via our Careers site and include a cover letter addressed to Matt Ohloff.

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