NYSERDA Fellowships Available to Individuals Interested in Advancing Climate Equity and Justice in New York State
NYSERDA is offering environmental justice and climate justice fellowship opportunities for individuals across the State The fellowships build on New York State’s commitment to ensure an equitable transition for all New Yorkers as it moves to a green economy.
Cecil Corbin-Mark Environmental Justice Fellowship
The Cecil Corbin-Mark Environmental Justice Fellowship is in honor of the late Cecil Corbin-Mark, the former Deputy Director and Director of Policy Initiatives at WE ACT for Environmental Justice, for his dedication to New York State’s environmental justice movement.
The fellowship at NYSERDA is a one-year, paid position and will provide an opportunity for a qualified candidate to contribute to policy and program development, gain professional experience, and contribute toward advancing New York State’s climate and equity goals.
The fellow will work in a cross-sector role to advance environmental and energy justice across NYSERDA and with other State agencies. The fellow will be expected to bring awareness to environmental justice considerations in NYSERDA initiatives to help ensure frontline and underserved communities are able to meaningfully participate in and benefit from the emerging clean economy. Applications will be accepted beginning January 1, 2022.
In addition, WE ACT for Environmental Justice has established the Cecil Corbin-Mark Fellowship for Environmental Justice Leadership to focus on the development of environmental justice policy while interacting with community members, companies and other stakeholders to advance their specific work. Although the fellowships at NYSERDA and WE ACT are independent of each other, the organizations will collaborate to allow fellows at both organizations to share their respective experiences. Additional information can be found online for the fellowship opportunity at WE ACT for Environmental Justice
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Climate Justice Fellowship
The Climate Justice Fellowship supports 150 fellowship opportunities for individuals across the State currently residing in historically disadvantaged communities or from priority populations. The Climate Justice Fellowship program builds on NYSERDA's related efforts to prepare the next generation of clean energy workers by funding internships and on-the-job training for individuals looking to join the clean energy industry.
NYSERDA is seeking applications from host employers to support the professional development, training, and mentoring of full-time fellows currently residing in disadvantaged communities or from priority populations—including individuals that are low income, disabled, homeless, formerly incarcerated, residents of environmental justice communities, veterans, and Native Americans, among others.
Selected fellows will work with community-based organizations, universities, municipalities, climate tech innovators/start-ups, and clean energy businesses to assist with and support community engagement activities, clean energy project development and implementation, partnership building, clean energy start-ups, or other projects that advance climate justice and clean energy priorities in disadvantaged communities.
NYSERDA will fund approximately 50 fellowships in 2021 and up to 100 fellowships through 2023, and will work with State and federal agencies, non-profits, foundations, and other partners to leverage existing resources and wrap-around services such as transportation and childcare services, training, and professional development opportunities.