OVERVIEW
WE ACT for Environmental Justice is inviting applicants for the Cecil Corbin-Mark Fellowship for Environmental Justice Leadership. One applicant will be selected to work on environmental justice policy issues, and gain experience in community-based policy advocacy, legislative and regulatory drafting, policy research, and community engagement.

WE ACT is a non-profit environmental justice organization based in New York City that fights environmental racism and works to improve environmental health through community organizing, education, community-based research, and advocacy. Beginning as a volunteer organization in 1988 to fight local environmental health threats, WE ACT has become a recognized leader in the environmental justice movement in New York and nationally, with offices in Northern Manhattan and Washington, DC.

Cecil Corbin-Mark, WE ACT’s Deputy Director and a well-known and highly respected leader in the environmental justice movement, passed away on October 15, 2020 at the age of 51. He was a life-long resident of Hamilton Heights in Harlem, NY, where his family has lived for six decades. Cecil began his environmental justice career at WE ACT for Environmental Justice at the age of 25. He was the first paid staff person hired by the Harlem-based volunteer group when it became a formal non-profit organization. Over the next 26 years, Cecil grew to be one of the leading figures in the movement both in New York State and across the nation. At the time of his untimely passing, Cecil was WE ACT’s Deputy Director and Director of Policy Initiatives. In this capacity, Cecil helped develop and pass numerous environmental health related bills in New York City and New York State, provided overall policy guidance to WE ACT’s New York program staff, managed WE ACT’s Washington, DC federal policy office and served as an informal mentor to aspiring environmental justice advocates across the country.

THE FELLOWSHIP
Through the Cecil Corbin-Mark Fellowship for Environmental Justice Leadership, WE ACT is establishing a unique opportunity for young people to continue to follow in Cecil’s footsteps, and to launch them on a career path to become the next generation of environmental justice leaders. The WE ACT team believes that it is appropriate to honor Cecil in a way that: 1) increases the capacity of our organization to win climate justice victories; and 2) creates an ongoing opportunity for talented young people to contribute to WE ACT’s campaigns for environmental justice. During this year-long fellowship, participants can expect to work on WE ACT campaigns alongside seasoned environmental justice leaders. Fellows will gain experience in environmental justice areas including environmental health, environmental justice policy, and community organizing. Fellows can also expect leadership development and learning opportunities throughout the program that will strengthen their professional skills, and deepen their understanding of the operations of a community-based advocacy organization. Fellows will also have access to networking opportunities with WE ACT stakeholders and allies.

This year, the Cecil Corbin-Mark Fellow will play a pivotal role in supporting the policy team within the federal policy office of WE ACT, focusing on the energy, transportation, and building sectors. Their responsibilities will include conducting detailed policy analysis, shaping and articulating policy positions, and carrying out impactful research to advance equity-driven climate initiatives. Therefore, the fellowship will be based in our Washington, DC office.
Additionally, the fellow will oversee project management tasks and contribute to thought leadership efforts, helping to elevate environmental justice in federal policies. The fellow may also engage in  outreach and education to promote equitable environmental policies, as well as collaborate with community-based advocacy campaigns for environmental health and climate justice. This position offers a dynamic opportunity to work on contemporary policy issues at the intersection of climate action, public health, and environmental justice.

Application Materials

Applicants must submit, via this online form, pdf or Word versions of the following documents:

  • Cover letter (1-2 pages), detailing commitment to environmental justice, environmental justice experience and/or background, and fitness of qualifications.
  • Resume (maximum 2 pages).
  • A separate document answering the following three questions: 1) What does environmental justice mean to you, providing examples from your own experience or those that are most familiar to you (maximum 300 words); 2) Describe a time when you were resilient (maximum 500 words); and 3) What is the relationship between policy, advocacy, and environmental justice (maximum 300 words)?
  • Writing sample (3-5 pages). Example of writing on environmental justice, environmental health, climate, energy, or a related topic. Samples could include documents such as policy memo, an excerpt from a research report, an op-ed, etc.

Letters of Recommendation must also be submitted, via this form. Support letters can be from professional or personal references, and must be submitted by the letter’s author, not the applicant. No more than 2 letters of recommendation.

Key Application Dates

  • Application Opens – March 10, 2025
  • Application Closes – May 2, 2025 (5:00 PM ET)
  • Interviews – April-May 2025
  • Notifications – Mid-May 2025
  • Start Date – June 2025

Minimum Qualifications

  • Passionate interest in environmental justice – specifically policy, community organizing or environmental health;
  • Be authorized to work in the US for the duration of the program;
  • Have a bachelor’s, master’s, or law degree focused on environmental science/studies, environmental health, environmental justice, environmental policy or other related fields; and/or
  • Have demonstrated experience in environmental justice, policy, community organizing, environmental law, or environmental health.

Project Knowledge, Skills, and Other Requirements

  • Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to work well with community members of color and/or low wealth
  • Ability to listen and synthesize information
  • Strong writing skills
  • Demonstrated experience or academic background in justice, policy, science, health, community organizing, and/or advocacy related areas
  • Ability to meet deadlines and take initiative to pursue work, assist others and resolve issues
  • Ability to put together workshops, webinars, and other educational meetings
  • Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects at once
  • Highly organized, with strong attention to detail
  • Excellent time management and planning and proven ability to meet deadlines
  • Ability to travel, including to New York City, as needed
  • Fellows will be based in our Washington, DC office and must be able to attend in-person events and work a combination of in-office and remote days on a weekly basis, according to WE ACT’s hybrid work policy

 

Compensation
This program includes an annual salary of $70,000, plus benefits: medical, dental and vision, voluntary benefits, and pre-tax transit program.

 

Equal Opportunity Employer
WE ACT is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, women, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ communities.

 

SUPPORT
If you would like to support the Cecil Corbin-Mark Fellowship for Environmental Justice Leadership, you can do so below: