Cardinal Quarter

2024 Environmental Policy Internships in CA (EPIC): California Department of Food and Agriculture

Environmental Sustainability

About EPIC:

The State of California is a leader in developing cutting-edge policies in response to climate change and other environmental and natural resource challenges. Other states, the federal government and nations follow and seek to imitate California's forward-thinking public policy efforts. The Stanford Woods Institute identifies key state agencies and decision-makers who are addressing these pressing environmental issues to create exciting summer internship placement opportunities for Stanford undergraduates.

Woods, in collaboration with the Haas Center for Public Service and Stanford in Government, offers undergraduates paid summer internships that provide a hands-on introduction to environmental policy work. The fellowships are full-time (35-40 hours/week) for 10 or 12 consecutive weeks. Students who are selected will receive mentoring from environmental professionals and directly contribute to solving important sustainability challenges that are facing the public. EPIC fellows receive a $7,500 - $9,000 stipend (for 10 weeks) or $9,000 - $10,500 (for 12 weeks of work), depending on financial need.

About the California Department of Food and Agriculture:

The mission of the California Department of Food and Agriculture is to serve the citizens of California by promoting and protecting a safe, healthy food supply, and enhancing local and global agricultural trade, through efficient management, innovation and sound science, with a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Our vision is that we be recognized as the most highly respected agricultural agency in the world by leading and excelling in the programs and services delivered to meet the needs for the growing local and global food and agricultural system.

CDFA is a cabinet-level department led by Secretary Karen Ross and headquartered in Sacramento. Interns would work with CDFA executive leadership to tackle emergent issues affecting agriculture, such as climate change, racial equity, sustainable pest management, food security, and more. Activities would include longer-term projects as well as short-term research assignments. Interns will gain skills and knowledge around public processes such as budgeting, program design, stakeholder engagement, policymaking, and communications.

Position Description:

Work with executive-level staff to advance first-of-a-kind programs and policy initiatives
Participate in interdisciplinary, cross-cutting state initiatives
Obtain experience working at the intersection of science, policy, and management

Potential Projects:

Help create the first ever climate resilience strategy for California agriculture
Review grant proposals for the Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation and the Office of Farm to Fork
Conduct analyses of state bills related to climate and working lands

Desired Qualities, Skills and Abilities:

Interest and ability to work on a team
Experience or interest in learning more about interest-based stakeholder processes
Strong communication, interpersonal and leadership skills
Ability to think critically and develop innovative ideas
Ability to manage multiple projects with tight deadlines
Ability to understand and translate science for diverse audiences
Ability to work effectively in a team and independently

Logistics:

This opportunity will be fully in-person or hybrid with 2-3 days per week in-person at the CDFA office in Sacramento, CA.
EPIC fellows have the option to work full-time (35+ hours per week) for 10 weeks (stipend: $7,500-$9,000, depending on financial need) or 12 weeks (stipend: $9,000-$10,500, depending on financial need) over the summer.

Eligibility

Eligibility:

Undergraduates from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, and applicants may vary in academic interests, public service involvement, and experience. Students must be enrolled for winter and spring quarters of this year and be in good academic standing to be eligible for a fellowship. Applications will only be accepted from students who will be enrolled as undergraduates for the following academic year, so unfortunately, graduating seniors cannot apply. The one exception to this rule is seniors who will be working toward a co-term degree during the following academic year. Co-term students must not have their undergraduate degree conferred until Fall 2024 to be eligible. Please refer to the Haas Center for Public Service's website for additional Cardinal Quarter Undergraduate Fellowship Program Policies and Requirements.

Note: students are only eligible for one Stanford-funded full-time experiential learning opportunity during the summer, and are not permitted to engage in another full-time internship, job, coursework, or volunteer opportunity. Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own housing and transportation during the fellowship.

Requirements:

Fellows are required to work at least 35 hours/week for ten or twelve consecutive weeks at their placements. Fellows are expected to have a designated full-time professional staff member as their supervisor/mentor. Please review the entire FAQs section for program policies. Other commitments include the following:

Spring Quarter:

Commit to working full-time (35-40 hours week) for 10 or 12 consecutive weeks (depending on which option you select)
Complete an online program orientation through the Haas Center for Public Service
- This will include designing a personal learning plan that you will share with your site supervisor and academic mentor
Complete the Engaging in Ethical and Effective Service in-person workshop or worksheet
Meet with your assigned Stanford academic mentor at least once prior to the start of the fellowship (more check-ins during and after your experience are encouraged)
Attend EPIC cohort building events and activities in spring quarter, as your schedule allows
Complete and submit all required forms and paperwork

Summer Quarter:

Engage in your full-time fellowship (starting no later than July 8, 2024; exact start date to be determined with your site supervisor)
Attend EPIC cohort building events and activities in the summer, as your schedule allows
Submit a mid-summer evaluation
Submit a final project report, complete a program evaluation, and correspond with donor(s) as requested by program staff

Fall Quarter:

Debrief with your academic mentor at least once
Attend a de-briefing meeting for the purpose of reflecting upon and evaluating summer experiences
Participate in outreach activities to share your experiences and help publicize the program