Last updated February 11, 2025
2025 Internships
The Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF) has a limited number of paid internship positions available throughout 2025.
Maine Climate Council Intern – Summer 2025
Job Description
The Maine Climate Council is an assembly of scientists, industry leaders, bipartisan local and state officials, and engaged citizens working to address the effects of climate change on our state. The Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF) coordinates the work of the Maine Climate Council and works collaboratively with other State agencies and key stakeholders on policy issues related to climate and energy.
The state’s updated 4-year climate action plan, Maine Won’t Wait, was delivered by the Climate Council on November 21, 2024, and aims to Reduce Maine’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Strengthen Resilience to Climate Impacts, Create Jobs and Economic Prosperity, and Bring Climate Action to All Maine People. The Climate Council is required by statute to deliver an update to the climate action plan every four years, as well as to report annually to the Legislature on progress towards the state’s climate action goals.
The Maine Climate Council Intern will support GOPIF to monitor progress and conduct education and outreach related to Maine Won’t Wait. This is a part-time, paid position (10-15 hours/week, up to 200 hours), and will run over a 10-to-12-week period between May-August 2025. The position will be hybrid, headquartered in Augusta, ME.
To apply, please send a letter of interest and resume to Cheryl Miller at Cheryl.miller@maine.gov by no later than March 10th, 2025.
Job Tasks
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Create educational materials (e.g., webpages, factsheets, action guides) related to the state’s climate action plan
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Assist with setting up processes for data collection and analysis of progress towards the state’s climate action goals.
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Support Climate Council and its working groups including setting up Zoom meetings and webinars, updating Maine Climate Council webpages and public calendar listings, and notetaking.
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Support stakeholder engagement including scheduling meetings and notetaking.
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Conduct climate and energy policy research and writing.
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Other tasks as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
Top candidates may come from a variety of backgrounds and will demonstrate many of the below qualifications:
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Strong written and verbal communication skills; a writing sample may be requested.
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Policy expertise or experience in climate and energy.
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Ability to use Microsoft Excel to manage small data sets, including ability to create and edit spreadsheets, format cells, and use basic formulas (e.g., SUM, AVERAGE), and create charts and graphs.
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Strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage with diverse stakeholders from state and local government, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.
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Pursuing a graduate level degree.
Community Resilience Partnership Intern – Summer 2025
Job Description
The Community Resilience Partnership was launched on December 1, 2021 and provides grants and direct support to municipal and tribal governments to assist communities to reduce carbon emissions, transition to clean energy, and become more resilient to climate change effects such as to extreme weather, flooding, rising sea levels, public health impacts, and more. Grants are also available to service providers to support communities in preparing for climate action.
The Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF) is offering an internship position to help support the Community Resilience Partnership. This intern will work on a variety of projects to support the strategic initiatives of the offices, focusing on the Community Resilience Partnership program and implementation of the state’s climate action plan, Maine Won’t Wait.
This is a full-time, paid position (up to 320 hours) and will run over a 8-to-10-week period between June – August 2025. The position will primarily be remote, with optional in-person work at GOPIF’s Augusta office.
To apply, please send letter of interest and resume to Cheryl Miller at Cheryl.miller@maine.gov by no later than March 10th, 2025.
Job Tasks
The GOPIF Community Resilience Internship will support the implementation of the Partnership, including:
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Support for peer learning opportunities
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Development of case studies, tools and resources, and communications materials. This might include a set of published grant case studies and blueprints for communities to use to develop their own grant projects.
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Use data to evaluate program and grant performance and progress toward climate goals. This might include expanding a system to report on metrics and track the success of the Partnership in furthering the goals of Maine Won’t Wait.
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Assist with efforts to identify best practices around assessing the climate vulnerability of local community infrastructure. Might include the development of a community vulnerability assessment framework for municipalities to use.
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Support other GOPIF climate resilience activities as needed.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
GOPIF welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds. Prior coursework, employment, internships, volunteering, or other experience related to climate and public policy are strongly encouraged from potential applicants. Top candidates may come from a variety of backgrounds and will demonstrate many of the below qualifications:
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Strong English communications and writing skills and ability to communicate effectively. A writing sample may be requested.
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Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as a member of a diverse and inclusive team.
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Strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask and prioritize.
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Proficiency in Microsoft products – Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
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Proficiency in ArcGIS and/or other data management applications will be a plus.
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Climate adaptation policy or practice.
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Pursuing a graduate level degree.