About the Position
Since 1975, IEC has led Illinois’ environmental movement through five decades of legislative victories in our state’s General Assembly. We’re looking for a self-motivated individual who is eager to contribute to that legacy. An integral member of the communications team, you’ll turn our legislative and policy leadership into engaging digital stories for our affiliates, individual members, and decision-makers. While you’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our policy experts across all our issue areas, this internship places an emphasis on expanding our capacity to create compelling clean water and zero waste policy communications materials.
You will gain experience in social media management and content development, event marketing, and website content creation.
You will join the communications team and be supervised by the Sr. Communications Manager. This position is located in Chicago and will require in-person collaboration at IEC’s Chicago Office.
About You
You’re passionate about climate action, conservation, and other environmental issues, as well as how to communicate them effectively to the public. You’re excited to grow the climate movement in Illinois by writing and designing communication materials that emphasize our organization’s role as the trusted voice on environmental policy in the state. We are a small, dynamic team that relies on each other to produce high-quality work.
We strongly encourage candidates of all backgrounds and identities to apply. Each new hire is an opportunity for us to bring a different perspective, and we are always eager to diversify our organization further. IEC/IECEF is committed to building an inclusive, supportive place for you to do the best and most rewarding work of your career.
Project/Deliverables
General
- Capture videos and photos of IEC events
- Graphic design
- Assist the Sr. Communications Manager and Events and Operations Associate on execution of Lunch & Learn webinars
- Help develop one water or zero waste Lunch & Learn
- Assist the Sr. Climate Communications Manager with clean energy and transportation-related communication needs as assigned
- Additional tasks as assigned by Chief Communications Officer
Social Media
- Assist the Sr. Communications Manager with management of IEC’s content calendar for our social media platforms including: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky
- Create engaging LinkedIn content on a weekly basis that provides insights and education into IEC’s legislative and policy work
- Prepare videos for posting to YouTube and social media
- Help the Communications Associate create Instagram and Reels content
- Additional social media tasks as assigned by the Sr. Communications Manager
Website
- Assist with creating new content for the website, with a focus on clean water and zero waste storytelling and education, including writing at least one blog post
- Draft and proof website materials and optimize them to increase reach and web searchability
- Assist in the development of new website pages and updates to existing pages, including contributing to the creation of a new city government affairs webpage
Media/Press
- Help update IEC media list and pull stats on IEC’s press clips
“Must-have” Qualifications
- Commitment to and knowledge of equity, diversity, inclusion, and allyship work
- Demonstrated experience using social media, website, or other communications formats for yourself, for a club, volunteer group, or a previous job
- Confidence behind (and in front of) a camera
- Proficiency using Google software
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups and people
“Nice-to-have” Qualifications
- Public speaking experience
- Copywriting experience
- Proficiency with graphic design software e.g. Canva, Adobe Creative Suite
- Ability to synthesize post performance data into actionable insights
Employee Benefits/Important Requirements
The internship is a part-time in-person position located in Chicago, IL. Candidates must reside in Illinois.
- Location requirements: In-person at IEC’s Chicago Office
- Compensation: $16 per hour
- Hours per week: Estimated 30-40 hours per week
- Duration of Internship: 10 weeks
How to Apply
Introduce yourself to us as a colleague in your cover letter. Show us your future here! We value great writers, so be yourself and take your time with the application. Stock cover letters won’t do. Tell us why you want this job.
Applications must be received by 5/15/25. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Sam Bower by email at sam@ilenviro.org.
Equal Opportunity Employer
IEC/IECEF is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, gender expression or identity, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, protective order status, veteran status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, ancestry, religion, pregnancy, certain arrest or criminal history records, homelessness and use of lawful products outside of work during non-working hours or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
Equity, Allyship, and Powerbuilding Values
IEC/IECEF is always working to ensure that everyone on our team feels engaged and supported in all areas of the organization’s operations as we work to become a fully inclusive, multicultural, and anti-racist organization. We are only as powerful as the people in our movement and those we serve. Building power for people and our environment in Illinois requires us to actively combat social and political power dynamics that disenfranchise marginalized communities across a broad range of issues beyond those that fall squarely within traditional environmental policy. When marginalized communities are empowered, environmental protections become more possible. Thus we are called to stand in solidarity as allies with those fighting for justice and to strengthen our democratic institutions where power drives policy change.
About IEC
Since 1975, the Illinois Environmental Council has worked to safeguard Illinois—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends by building power for people and the environment. Representing over 130 environmental organizations, IEC carries out its mission to advance public policies that create healthy environments across Illinois through education, advocacy, and movement building.
IEC advances sound environmental laws and policies at all levels of government by bringing together the Illinois environmental community to influence decision-makers and ensure clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. From lobbying at the State Capitol to building consensus around an annual environmental agenda, IEC takes pride in leading our environmental movement in Illinois. We coordinate our affiliate member organizations to share resources, mobilize supporters, and respond quickly to the most pressing issues facing the environment in Illinois.
IEC also supports environmental activists across the state, building programs to cultivate the next generation of environmental leadership, such as our Young Professionals Board, Community Council, annual environmental scorecards, and other educational programs like our Civics for Environmentalists and Lunch & Learn series.