See below for a list of projects for our 6-month fellowship term starting March 10, 2025.
Renewal of California’s Cap and Trade Policy
Host: Union of Concerned Scientists
Region: Half Time
Openings: 1
Project Focus: Climate Adaptation (e.g. sea level rise planning, environmental justice, climate migration planning), Climate Mitigation
Skills Needed: Project Management, Relationship Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Any experience working on policy issues or with decision-makers,
Remote or On-Site Placement
Hybrid – The Fellow will be required to be in office at least one day a month.
Service Needs & Plans
California was the first state to develop a Cap-and-Trade program, using market mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While the program has been successful in some ways, it has failed in others. The state’s Cap-and-Trade program needs to be reauthorized by the California Air Resources Board. The Fellow will help Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) develop an external position on Cap-and-Trade reauthorization in partnership with our community-based and environmental justice allies.
Project Description
The project will have 4 main components: 1) Review existing UCS position statements and materials regarding cap-and-trade programs and meet with relevant staff members, 2) Meet with allies and attend relevant meetings, 3) Develop a draft external position statement and, potentially, other external resources such as blogs or background factsheets, 4) Work to develop consensus around the external position statement. Through this placement, the Fellow will delve into some of the complexity of climate change policy and implementation.
The Fellow will meet with the Western States Director early on to define the scope of their work. The Fellow will be primarily mentored by the Western States Senior Policy Manager, Daniel Barad. Additional mentorship and learning opportunities may be provided by joining monthly Western States staff meetings, the Western States planning retreat, and/or legislative briefings.
Desired Skills
The ideal candidate would have an understanding of environmental and/or economic policies and some experience working with non-profit organizations and/or decision makers due to the main project focus on cap-and-trade policy.
Organization & Workplace Highlights
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future.
Our values are:
Science…in the service of people and the planet.
Justice and Equity…for people of all races and incomes—now, and for future generations.
Courage…to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena.
Integrity…to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly.
Democracy…to promote a voice for all in government decisions.
Action…inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world.
Community Highlights
We serve the great states of California, Oregon, and Washington.