Environmental Policy Fellow

POSITION TITLE: Environmental Policy Fellow

DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: Policy

REPORTS TO: Tristan Thomas, Director of Policy

STATUS: Regular, Full-Time

LOCATION: Alternatives for Community & Environment, Inc. (ACE)

2201 Washington St. Unit 302, Roxbury, MA  02119

 

ABOUT THE DR. ROGER ARLINER YOUNG FELLOWSHIP

In an effort to make the conservation and clean energy fields more equitable and accessible, the Dr. Roger Arliner Young (RAY) Fellowship Program aims to increase and facilitate environmentally-related career pathways for emerging leaders. The RAY Fellowship Program is a paid fellowship designed to equip recent college graduates with the tools, experiences, support, and community they need to become leaders in the conservation and clean energy sectors—one that, in our visions of the future, fully represents, includes, and is led by the diverse communities, perspectives, and experiences of the United States.

 

ABOUT ALTERNATIVES FOR COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT, INC. (ACE)

ACE is a Roxbury and community-based, environmental justice, transit-oriented, and economic empowerment focused nonprofit that organizes and collaborates with local, statewide, and national partners to address systemic injustice. ACE advocates for fundamental changes that protect the intergenerational longevity of marginalized communities by confronting power structures and eliminating the root causes of inequality.

We envision self-determined communities that exercise power over the energy, finance, and technology that shape their futures. Our vision is one where families and communities thrive, free from systemic inequities, with healthy environments, affordable housing, clean energy, economic self-sufficiency and equitable transportation for all.

ACE’s Core Values include:

  1. Foundational Principles: ACE operates on the Jemez Principles for democratic organizing, both in our relationships with each other and externally.
  2. Environmental Justice: ACE prioritizes the needs of communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change.
  3. Equity: ACE works to address systemic inequities in environment, health, wealth, and power.
  4. Community Empowerment: ACE works to build the power of communities of color and low-income communities in Massachusetts to eradicate environmental racism and classism, create healthy, sustainable communities, and achieve environmental justice.
  5. Sustainability: ACE fights for long-term solutions that protect the environment and community.
  6. Transparency & Accountability: ACE demands visibility, enforcement, and measurable outcomes from policies and programs.

ACE’s Programs include: Community Engagement, Education, & Advocacy: ACE advances policy changes through education, advocacy, and coalition work. ACE developed a policy agenda and advocates at local, state, regional, and national levels on issues like clean air, equitable energy transition, artificial intelligence and data centers, fair housing, transit equity, finance, and civil rights.

EJAN/EJLS: ACE is the only organization in MA providing free legal assistance in EJ cases to low-income communities and communities of color who cannot afford counsel, through our EJ Assistance Network (EJAN) and EJ Legal Services (EJLS). EJAN is a pro bono capacity-building and referral network that connects communities facing EJ challenges with legal, scientific, public health, and technical experts. It addresses critical gaps in support across New England, helping frontline communities access tools and expertise needed to respond to environmental threats and build long-term advocacy capacity.  We are building capacity by expanding our expert pool, deepening partnerships with community-based organizations, conducting training sessions, and improving the network’s accessibility and responsiveness. 

TRU: ACE facilitates the T Riders Union (TRU), organizing transit riders to fight for first-class MBTA service. TRU gives voice to the movement for equitable public transportation in lower-income communities and communities of color. Bi-monthly meetings and monthly phone calls engage the public via presentations, tabling, and canvassing. 

REEP: REEP is a youth-led, adult-supported, community-organizing effort. We develop leadership and build youth power, membership and movement with youth of color. ACE youth lead campaigns and projects on issues related to air quality, food security, mental health, workers rights, etc. 

 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Environmental Policy Fellow/Intern will support the organization’s environmental justice and policy advocacy efforts by conducting research, writing reports and memos, tracking legislation, assisting with the development of policy materials related to environmental and public health protections in Massachusetts, and participating in campaigns, coalitions and events. Working closely with advocacy staff and program staff, the Fellow/Intern will contribute to advancing equitable environmental policies that address the disproportionate impacts of pollution and climate change on low-income communities and communities of color. This position offers hands-on experience in local, state, and national environmental policy and community-informed advocacy and programming. The Fellow will primarily work with the Director of Policy. ACE’s policy advocacy interfaces closely with our EJ Assistance Network which includes legal work as well as our community engagement initiatives. The Fellow will have opportunities to engage in grassroots engagement and support the EJ Assistance Network.

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Conduct policy research and analysis on Massachusetts environmental and climate-related legislation, regulations, and administrative actions, with a focus on environmental justice and public health impacts.
  • Track state and municipal policy developments, including bills, hearings, and regulatory processes relevant to ACE’s Policy Agenda
  • Support the development of policy briefs, fact sheets, testimony, and written comments for submission to state agencies, legislators, and regulatory bodies.
  • Assist with community-informed policy advocacy by incorporating resident feedback, lived experience, and data into policy recommendations.
  • Attend and summarize public meetings, legislative hearings, coalitions, and stakeholder convenings; prepare internal summaries and action steps.
  • Collaborate with staff to advance advocacy campaigns, including outreach to policymakers, partners, and community organizations.
  • Support data collection and analysis related to environmental exposures, health outcomes, and regulatory compliance in impacted communities.
  • Contribute to grant reporting, program documentation, and evaluation related to policy and advocacy initiatives.
  • Assist with communications efforts, including drafting content for newsletters, reports, social media, and organizational updates related to policy work.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned in support of ACE’s mission and environmental justice priorities.

 

ADDITIONAL FELLOWSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

In addition to the responsibilities at the host institution outlined above, RAY Fellows will spend, on average, 2-4 hours per week (5-10% of work time) on the following:

  • Actively communicating and building community with their RAY Fellow cohort and previous RAY Fellows. 
  • Meeting regularly with mentors both inside and outside the host institution. 
  • Attending monthly professional development webinars, training, and other opportunities to build knowledge and skills as scheduled.
  • Developing a Personal Leadership Plan (PLP) in their 2nd year with the support of supervisor(s), mentors, RAY program staff, and their RAY Fellow cohort. The PLP will serve as a tool for self-reflection, planning, and assessing progress towards professional, personal, and leadership goals.
  • Preparing and leading an hour-long end-of-fellowship webinar highlighting their Fellowship experience.

RAY Fellows will also attend:

  • A 3-day Orientation Retreat in late Summer/Fall 2026.
  • A 3-day Mid-Fellowship Leadership Retreat in Fall 2027.

 

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

Eligible RAY Fellow applicants will:

  • Come from a background underrepresented in conservation and clean energy and demonstrate a commitment to the shared values of the importance of promoting fairness, acknowledging various perspectives, and fostering a welcoming environment.
  • Be no more than 3 years out of college and have a Bachelor's Degree by July 2026 (we are not considering individuals with graduate degrees at this time).
  • Have not had a full-time job in conservation or clean energy.
  • Have the ability to work in the United States and commit to the entire fellowship.

 

SKILLS / QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

  • A college degree by the time of employment - Preferred but not required.
  • An interest in the field of conservation/clean energy 
  • Demonstrated capacity to work well and collaborate with others.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills.
  • An eagerness to learn.

 

TERM / LENGTH OF ASSIGNMENT

This is a two-year, full-time fellowship (one year with a one year renewal) starting on or after July 15, 2026.

 

COMPENSATION

Salary range: $55,000+ commensurate with experience
Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid time off, and professional development
support. Flexible work schedule and supportive, mission-driven work environment.

The Fellowship is compensated and sponsored by The Barr Foundation, who offers a competitive benefits package as well as training and professional development opportunities. article

 

HOW TO APPLY/APPLICATION

To apply for the RAY Fellowship Program, applicants must:

  1. Complete the online application survey on the RAY Fellowship Program website: rayfellowship.org/apply 
  2. Follow the instructions on the linked application webpage to submit a resume or curriculum vitae, one essay response, one visioning response, and one short answer response. 

Applications must be submitted to the RAY Fellowship Program no later than March 27, 2026. Transcripts and additional writing samples are not required. 

If you have questions, please see our FAQ page, and any further questions about the application process can be submitted to ray@elpnet.org.

 

ACE  is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, including MGL c. 151B and Executive Order 592.   

ACE makes employment decisions based on merit and organizational needs while fostering an inclusive and professional environment where employees feel comfortable, safe, and free from inappropriate, discriminatory, or disrespectful conduct.

Alternatives For Community and Environment, Inc. is continually seeking to diversify its staff, particularly to broaden opportunities for individuals from groups that are historically excluded in the sciences and in environmental advocacy.