Texas - TCEQ Watchdog Intern

The TCEQ Watchdog campaign launched in April 2025 with three primary goals: holding the TCEQ accountable, building the capacity of communities and cultivating local power. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is the state’s environmental regulatory agency, charged with protecting public health and the environment by issuing permits and ensuring compliance through enforcement. For years, polluters in Texas have enjoyed lax regulatory oversight and enforcement policies from the TCEQ. The campaign supports communities by advocating on impactful issues in rulemakings, permitting and agency enforcement policies. We hold community meetings to inform residents and help them more effectively engage with the TCEQ. We also work to identify opportunities to highlight and publicize common issues across communities in Texas through the press, blogs and testimony to the TCEQ.

Intern will do some or all of the following:

• Research within TCEQ databases
• Writing blog posts and reports
• Participating in community organizing and policy meetings
• Assisting with social media
• Assisting with events
• Attending community meetings to share information about our campaigns

Qualifications:

• Desire to work in the public’s interest
• Demonstrated interest in environmental issues
• Self-motivation and a desire to learn
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
• Organized
• Ability to work with a team
• Commitment and reliability

Desired, but not required:

• Background in environmental and/or energy policy, politics, or public policy
• Any experience with graphics, video or social media is a plus, but definitely not required

Hours:

• At least 12 weeks
• Between 15-40 per week (set based on student's schedule)
• Office is open 9am - 6pm M-F

Location

• hybrid – some days remote and some in the office (if intern is based in Austin)
• when/if in-person: 309 E 11th St, Suite 2, Austin, TX 78701

Salary: 

• $17.95/hour

To Apply:

To apply, email Kaiba White (kwhite@citizen.org) the following, with “TCEQ Watchdog Internship” as the email subject:

• Cover letter outlining why you want to intern at Public Citizen, why you need to be paid for your work, and any other relevant information not found on your resume
• Resume
• If you have completed the FAFSA, a copy of your Submission Summary (important for paid internship candidates)
• Writing sample (something you already wrote)
• Optional: graphics, videos, or social media content you have created

Submit applications by November 17, 2025.