Environmental Law & Policy Department

NPPC’s Environmental Law & Policy Division (ELPD) represents the interests of the U.S. pork industry on issues affecting their environmental performance and the impacts of emerging national energy policy. The ELPD is responsible for working with policymakers to ensure that federal and state legislative proposals consider the pork industry’s position, for developing responses to legislative proposals and for securing the pork industry’s continued competitiveness. ELPD staff works with industry leaders and partners, outside consultants and lawyers, and senior government officials within Congress, EPA, USDA, the Department of Energy and the White House in the development of policy proposals and responses to emerging issues of concern to the U.S. pork industry.

Environmental Law & Policy Internship Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the Environmental Law & Policy Intern is to assist NPPC staff in the review and response to federal and state legislative and regulatory proposals affecting the environmental performance of the pork industry. Topics include, but are not limited to, federal policies affecting energy, air and water quality and on-farm conservation practices. Other tasks include researching legal and technical materials; drafting memoranda, regulatory comments and legal pleadings; developing position papers, talking points and congressional communication; attending congressional hearings; monitoring developments in agricultural and environmental policy; attending political luncheons; and working with industry allies and senior government officials within Congress, EPA and USDA to advance the interests of the U.S. pork industry. Depending on court scheduling, the intern also will have the opportunity to participate in trial/hearing preparation and attend federal court hearings.

Required Skills

The ideal candidate for the environmental law & policy intern position will have:

• Experience with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with Internet and Legal Research (Westlaw, Thomas, etc.).
• Interest in, and comprehension of, agricultural policy and environmental law.
• Superior oral and written communication skills.
• Self-motivation and ability to maintain focus in completing long-term projects.
• Sense of humor and perspective.