ABOUT THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY:
The Office of Sustainability’s (OoS) climate team coordinates the City’s efforts to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions and to make Cambridge a climate resilient community for all. The team oversees the Net Zero Action Plan, and within resilience, management of the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and implementation of Cambridge’s Resilient Cambridge Plan. These plans identify vulnerabilities and key strategies for adapting and preparing for climate change impacts on infrastructural, environmental and social resilience.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
The Climate Resilience Intern will support the Climate Resilience Manager in advancing programs that address a wide range of climate resilience challenges, with a particular focus on extreme heat. This role involves contributing to the development of projects that enhance the city’s resilience to climate change.
This role offers hands-on experience in local climate adaptation planning, research, and community engagement. The intern will help ensure that resilience initiatives are coordinated, equitable, and inclusive—especially in engaging Cambridge’s diverse communities, with a focus on those who have been historically underserved, underrepresented, or excluded.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Conduct research on best practices in climate resilience and assist in maintaining partnerships with academic and technical experts for local application.
Assist in the coordination and tracking of actions outlined in the Resilient Cambridge plan, including helping with plan updates and interdepartmental collaboration.
Assist with the update of the city-wide Extreme Heat Protocol.
Support community-based projects and assist in engagement with local organizations and stakeholders to ensure inclusive and equitable participation.
In collaboration with OoS Communications, assist with public communication and outreach efforts related to climate preparedness and resilience, including events, materials, and digital content.
Assist with administrative tasks such as consultant coordination, grant research, and documentation of program activities and outcomes.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education & Experience:
Experience researching and synthesizing complex ideas.
Some experience with community engagement and outreach
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Some knowledge of climate resilience challenges.
A passion for issues and ideas in the fields of climate change, environmental justice, extreme heat, environment, and/or community engagement.
Willing to be nimble and creative in responding to the needs of community members and consultants.
Comfortable with slide deck creation from general notes.
Ability to be self-directed with guidance from City staff.
Ability to remain flexible and thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
Ability to remain in Cambridge outside of standard school calendar year.
The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:Standard office environment. Fluorescent lighting, heating and air conditioning. Moderate noise level. Some outdoor events. Will have to engage with partners via Zoom or Teams. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy, depending on operational needs.
Start Date and Duration: February 2026 start date with minimum commitment through February 2027.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Please upload the following documents to complete your application:
Cover Letter
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, a nexus of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Notably, Cambridge is home to two internationally prominent universities, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. According to a 2008 census estimate the city population was 105,594. It is the fourth most populous city in the state, behind Boston, Worcester, and Springfield. Cambridge is one of the two county seats of Middlesex County (Lowell is the other).
The site for what would become Cambridge was chosen in December 1630, because it was located safely up river from Boston Harbor, which made it easily defensible from attacks by enemy ships. The first houses were built in the spring of 1631. The settlement was initially referred to as "the newe towne". Official Massachusetts records show the name capitalized as Newe Towne by 1632. Located at the first convenient Charles River crossing west of Boston, Newe Towne was one of a number of towns (including Boston, Dorchester, Watertown, and Weymouth) founded by the 700 original Puritan colonists of the Massachusetts Bay Colony under governor John Winthrop. The original village site is in the heart of today's Harvard Square. The marketplace where farmers brought in crops from surrounding towns to sell survives today as the small park at the corner of John F. Kennedy (J.F.K.) and Winthrop Streets, then at the edge of a salt marsh, since filled.
