External Affairs Intern (Fall 2026)

Job description

Job Summary This 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 to supplement academic learning with real-world experience, including: Aiding interns in building competencies toward future goals. Partnering with interns to identify opportunities and areas for learning across ClearPath’s clean energy technology portfolio. Identifying professional opportunities to supplement their learning, the ClearPath team takes extra time away from their day to support the intern process. This person will interact with the broader ClearPath team to support the mission, but directly report to ClearPath’s External Affairs team. Qualifications Currently enrolled in a four-year university working toward a Bachelor's degree. Preferred majors include: Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Public Policy, Political Science, History, Economics, or Energy. Interest in Capitol Hill, political processes, policy, or clean energy technologies and energy systems is a plus. Comfort with technology and ability to quickly learn new systems. A professional and personal commitment to ClearPath’s mission and values. Proficiency in analyzing and interpreting data. Proficiency in Google Workspace. Strong networking and interpersonal skills. Proven ability to effectively execute communication skills. Outstanding written communication skills including experience preparing press releases, news articles, presentations, video scripts, reports, and social content. Outstanding verbal communication skills including experience giving presentations. Past Interns have has the opportunity to: Assist in the planning and organization of events from conception to completion. Support marketing efforts for events, including creating promotional materials and managing social media campaigns. Provide on-site support during events, including setup, registration, and attendee assistance. Assist in post-event activities such as gathering feedback, compiling reports, and evaluating event success. Perform administrative tasks related to event planning, such as maintaining databases and managing RSVP lists. Candidate Requirements Accountability: Take responsibility for their own performance and accept full ownership of issues, problems, and opportunities, regardless of the source. 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. Initiating Action: Be a self-starter and take a lead role in improving or enhancing work, avoiding problems, or developing entrepreneurial opportunities. 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. 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. Extended Task Focus: Able to perform the same work function for a significant amount of time while remaining focused and without becoming disengaged. Compensation + Benefits All ClearPath interns are hourly and paid on a bi-weekly schedule. Interns are not eligible for benefits. Fall internships last for the academic semester Fully stocked office kitchen in newly renovated building on Capitol Hill. Cafe access On-site gym access At ClearPath, we value a diverse and inclusive workforce. We believe our team is the key to making an impact and fulfilling our mission. ClearPath is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. About ClearPath, Inc ClearPath’s mission is to accelerate American innovation to reduce global energy emissions. To advance that mission, we develop cutting-edge policy solutions on clean energy and industrial innovation. An entrepreneurial, strategic nonprofit, ClearPath collaborates with public and private sector stakeholders on innovations in nuclear energy, geothermal, hydropower, natural gas, energy storage, critical minerals, carbon capture, heavy industry, and agriculture to enable private-sector deployment of critical technologies. Started in 2014 by entrepreneur Jay Faison, ClearPath is a conservative energy advocacy organization that engages in the direct education of policymakers within Congress, the White House, Executive Agencies with energy and environmental jurisdiction, and regulators. ClearPath team members believe in small government, free markets, and American entrepreneurship. Those principles form the basis for how the team analyzes proposed energy policy. ClearPath Values: Teamwork: We empower each other to accomplish our shared mission. Purpose: We believe the principles of limited government, free markets, and fiscal responsibility are essential to achieving our mission. Ownership: We empower teammates to visibly own and achieve goals. Adaptability: We are open to new, complex ideas and test our assumptions to lead change and advance our mission. Curiosity: We have a proactive desire to learn, grow, and improve ourselves, our ideas, and our mission in a thoughtful and focused way. Credibility: We agree that being trustworthy and believable is everything for building and maintaining influence.