Job DescriptionThis position works directly with the External Affairs team and will require frequent interaction with the entire team. This role will have visibility of media, Capitol Hill, Administration, industry and trade relationships. The position will require an entrepreneurial mindset to support the ClearPath communications and marketing objectives to achieve policy outcomes, and continuously improve brand perception.  Additionally, the position will work closely with the ClearPath team to build a plan and set ambitious goals, execute, and track the strategy, to communicate regularly with corporate stakeholders that will allow for broader legislative efforts. This includes frequently interacting with stakeholders as well as coordinating and attending events, hearings and briefings where we can drive message, coordinate, and educate target audience and key stakeholders on ClearPath priorities. The ClearPath team creates a learning environment for interns, as to supplement scholarly learning with real-world experience.<ul style=""><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">We provide an experience that benefits the intern and furthers their future aspirations.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">We partner with interns to identify opportunities and areas for learning across ClearPath’s clean energy technology portfolio.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">We identify professional opportunities to supplement their learning, the ClearPath team takes extra time away from their day to support the intern process.</li></ul>This person will interact with the broader ClearPath team to support the mission, but directly report to ClearPath’s External Affairs Director. Competencies<ul style=""><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Accountability – take responsibility for their own performance and accept full ownership of issues, problems, and opportunities, regardless of the source.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Quality Focus – Individuals who exhibit this competency ensure that all work in one’s own area of the business, throughout the organization, by vendors, suppliers, etc. is performed with excellence and to high standards for quality and integrity.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Initiating Action – be a self-starter and take a lead role in improving or enhancing a work, avoiding problems, or developing entrepreneurial opportunities.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Organizational Citizenship – focus efforts toward the common good; place the organization’s goals before individual, functional, or business unit goals; and demonstrate the desire to be a part of something that extends beyond their own self-interest.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Time Management – focus on completing all work tasks in a timely manner while remaining responsive enough to react to competing demands and shifting priorities. This competency is about managing multiple responsibilities, being organized, keeping on top of important time-sensitive tasks, and performing all work accurately.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Extended Task Focus – able to perform the same work function for a significant amount of time while remaining focused and without becoming disengaged.</li></ul>Qualifications<ul style=""><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Currently enrolled in a four year university working toward a Bachelor's degree, preferably in Public Policy, Political Science, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, History, Economics, or Energy.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Interest in Capitol Hill, political processes, policy or clean energy a plus.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Comfort with technology and ability to quickly learn new systems.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">A professional and personal commitment to ClearPath’s mission and values.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Strong networking and interpersonal skills.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Proven ability to effectively execute communication skills.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Outstanding written communication skills including experience preparing press releases, news. articles, presentations, video scripts, reports, and social content.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Outstanding verbal communication skills including experience giving presentations.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Assist in the planning and organization of events from conception to completion.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Support marketing efforts for events, including creating promotional materials and managing social media campaigns.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Provide on-site support during events, including setup, registration, and attendee assistance.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Assist in post-event activities such as gathering feedback, compiling reports, and evaluating event success.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Perform administrative tasks related to event planning, such as maintaining databases and managing RSVP lists.</li></ul>Compensation + Benefits<ul style=""><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">All ClearPath interns are paid hourly.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Interns are not eligible for benefits.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Typical intern engagements last 8-10 weeks.</li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;">Fully stocked office kitchen in newly renovated building on Capitol Hill.</li></ul>

ClearPath&rsquo;s mission is to develop and advance policies that accelerate breakthrough innovations that reduce emissions in the energy and industrial sectors. To advance that mission, we develop cutting-edge policy solutions on clean energy and industrial innovation. An entrepreneurial, strategic nonprofit, ClearPath (501(c)(3)) collaborates with public and private sector stakeholders on innovations in nuclear energy, carbon capture, hydropower, natural gas, geothermal, energy storage, and heavy industry to enable private-sector deployment of critical technologies.

External Affairs Intern (Summer 2026)

Job DescriptionThis position works directly with the External Affairs team and will require frequent interaction with the entire team. This role will have visibility of media, Capitol Hill, Administration, industry and trade relationships. The position will require an entrepreneurial mindset to support the ClearPath communications and marketing objectives to achieve policy outcomes, and continuously improve brand perception.&nbsp; Additionally, the position will work closely with the ClearPath team to build a plan and set ambitious goals, execute, and track the strategy, to communicate regularly with corporate stakeholders that will allow for broader legislative efforts. This includes frequently interacting with stakeholders as well as coordinating and attending events, hearings and briefings where we can drive message, coordinate, and educate target audience and key stakeholders on ClearPath priorities. The ClearPath team creates a learning environment for interns, as to supplement scholarly learning with real-world experience.<ul><li>We provide an experience that benefits the intern and furthers their future aspirations.</li><li>We partner with interns to identify opportunities and areas for learning across ClearPath’s clean energy technology portfolio.</li><li>We identify professional opportunities to supplement their learning, the ClearPath team takes extra time away from their day to support the intern process.</li></ul>This person will interact with the broader ClearPath team to support the mission, but directly report to ClearPath’s External Affairs Director. Competencies<ul><li>Accountability – take responsibility for their own performance and accept full ownership of issues, problems, and opportunities, regardless of the source.</li><li>Quality Focus – Individuals who exhibit this competency ensure that all work in one’s own area of the business, throughout the organization, by vendors, suppliers, etc. is performed with excellence and to high standards for quality and integrity.</li><li>Initiating Action – be a self-starter and take a lead role in improving or enhancing a work, avoiding problems, or developing entrepreneurial opportunities.</li><li>Organizational Citizenship – focus efforts toward the common good; place the organization’s goals before individual, functional, or business unit goals; and demonstrate the desire to be a part of something that extends beyond their own self-interest.</li><li>Time Management – focus on completing all work tasks in a timely manner while remaining responsive enough to react to competing demands and shifting priorities. This competency is about managing multiple responsibilities, being organized, keeping on top of important time-sensitive tasks, and performing all work accurately.</li><li>Extended Task Focus – able to perform the same work function for a significant amount of time while remaining focused and without becoming disengaged.</li></ul>Qualifications<ul><li>Currently enrolled in a four year university working toward a Bachelor's degree, preferably in Public Policy, Political Science, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, History, Economics, or Energy.</li><li>Interest in Capitol Hill, political processes, policy or clean energy a plus.</li><li>Comfort with technology and ability to quickly learn new systems.</li><li>A professional and personal commitment to ClearPath’s mission and values.</li><li>Strong networking and interpersonal skills.</li><li>Proven ability to effectively execute communication skills.</li><li>Outstanding written communication skills including experience preparing press releases, news. articles, presentations, video scripts, reports, and social content.</li><li>Outstanding verbal communication skills including experience giving presentations.</li><li>Assist in the planning and organization of events from conception to completion.</li><li>Support marketing efforts for events, including creating promotional materials and managing social media campaigns.</li><li>Provide on-site support during events, including setup, registration, and attendee assistance.</li><li>Assist in post-event activities such as gathering feedback, compiling reports, and evaluating event success.</li><li>Perform administrative tasks related to event planning, such as maintaining databases and managing RSVP lists.</li></ul>Compensation + Benefits<ul><li>All ClearPath interns are paid hourly.</li><li>Interns are not eligible for benefits.</li><li>Typical intern engagements last 8-10 weeks.</li><li>Fully stocked office kitchen in newly renovated building on Capitol Hill.</li></ul>

External Affairs Intern (Summer 2026)

About the Job

About the Company

ClearPath

Similar Jobs

Intern (Summer 2026)

Intern (Summer 2026)

Community Engagement Intern

Community Engagement Intern

Summer Intern, Chicago CRED: Policy

Summer Intern, Chicago CRED: Policy

Summer Intern, Innovation & Impact

Summer Intern, Innovation & Impact

Summer Intern, Political

Summer Intern, Political

Summer Intern, Political

Summer Intern, Political

Policy Intern

Policy Intern

Program Advisor, ClearPath Conservative Leadership Program (CCLP)

Program Advisor, ClearPath Conservative Leadership Program (CCLP)

Director, Public Affairs

Director, Public Affairs

NRDC Summer 2026 Undergraduate Internship

NRDC Summer 2026 Undergraduate Internship