POCIE Pathways Program Fellow

Professionals of Color in the Environment (POCIE) 

Professionals of Color in the Environment (POCIE) is a community for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) professionals from all environmental fields in Massachusetts. We envision a racially diverse Massachusetts environmental sector where every BIPOC professional is empowered to lead, thrive, and advocate for themselves, their peers, and their communities. 

The POCIE Pathways Program

Professionals of Color in the Environment (POCIE) are looking for High School students to participate in the Pathways Program during the Summer of 2025! The Pathways Program provides valuable experience for high school and undergraduate students through participation in marine, coastal, and tidal projects in partnership with members of POCIE’s community and their organizations. This hands-on research experience and professional development opportunity will benefit high school students as they prepare for college and venture into professional careers. This position is hosted by the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF). 

The Pathways Program broadens participation in environmental fields and attracts individuals that have been historically underrepresented in this career path. This program is particularly interested in increasing the number of BIPOC, women and gender expansive individuals, and persons with disabilities in the environmental field. We strongly encourage students who are members of these groups to apply.

Job Description - Working with the Conservation Law Foundation 

This position is in partnership with the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) Ocean Team. As a member of CLF’s Ocean Team, the Professionals of Color in the Environment (POCIE) fellow will work closely with CLF’s Vice President of Ocean Conservation and other members of the Ocean Team on a variety of exciting issues related to our North Atlantic right whale, New England fisheries, and habitat protection campaigns, including our work to defend the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument and our campaign to designate Cashes Ledge in the Gulf of Maine as a National Marine Sanctuary.

The POCIE fellow will conduct research, draft communications materials and attend internal and external meetings relevant to our advocacy. Specific topic areas will depend on the current status of our issues and the specific interests of the POCIE fellow. The POCIE fellow will also participate in a number of activities designed for our summer intern cohort including a brown bag lunch seminar series featuring CLF advocates across our various program areas and other activities.

Qualifications

 ● Applicants must be juniors or seniors in high school upon time of application submission.

● Strong desire to work in the marine, coastal, and tidal contexts.

● Self-motivated and able to work both cooperatively and independently 

● Ability to interact with project partners and the public in a professional manner 

● Excellent skills in oral and written communication 

● Demonstrate, reliability, flexibility, and enthusiasm

● Must pass a background records check (CORI and SORI). 

Compensation and Benefits 

● Rate of Pay: $20.00/hr. 

● Professional Development and Travel stipends will be provided for all participants to cover conference registration and travel fees. 

Additional Comments 

Internship is for 8 weeks during Summer 2025 and will not exceed 160 hours. There will be professional development opportunities through POCIE and partners like Mass Audubon, including resume/ cover letter workshops, salary negotiation skills, science presentation training, professional networking events, and more. 

How to Apply 

Please send your resume and a brief statement of interest as an application (PDF form) to John Russell (jrussell@pocie.org) by June 20th, 2025.