Job Description: Upstream Policy Intern

Reports to: Program Associate

Job purpose

At Upstream, we foster a culture of creative action where a rich mix of talented people want to come, stay, connect as both colleagues and humans, and co-create a more beautiful, just world every day. 

As an organization, Upstream is unique in its singular focus on reuse, position as a thought leader, and access to a large network of stakeholders from the NGO, business, and government sectors. Given the distributed, small nature of our team and large geographic scope, we take a high level role and focus on serving the movement in a way that is impactful and scalable. 

This position’s responsibilities, outlined below, will support our policy team’s  tracking of reuse funding opportunities and municipal, state / provincial, and federal reuse policy. This role will also support the policy team as we convene and support reuse advocates across the US and Canada in our Reuse Solutions Network

Job Duties & Responsibilities

With this context in mind, the person in this role will:

Lead Upstream’s Policy and Funding Tracking

  • Manage Upstream’s Policy Tracker

    • Maintain tracker on a weekly basis to ensure all US and Canadian policies are captured

    • Audit data for accuracy and clarity

    • Periodically update cover sheet by adding related trackers

    • Keep abreast of reuse policy developments across the US and Canada 

    • Expand the scope of tracking to include additional policy types as needed 

  • Manage Upstream’s Reuse Incentives and Grants Tracker

    • Search for new funding opportunities

    • Regularly update tracker with relevant incentives and grants

    • Respond to incoming comments and suggestions from users, and vet opportunities as needed

Support Reuse Solutions Network (RSN) meetings, in coordination with the Reuse Networks Manager

  • Conduct weekly onboarding of new RSN members

  • Collaborate on agenda-setting and assist with creation of slides and other assets as needed for RSN meetings

  • Take detailed, accurate notes during each meeting and finalize meeting summaries

  • Generally support RSN meeting execution as needed

  • Provide assistance with management of our network communication platforms (Basecamp and email)

Policy research & communications

  • Support ad hoc research needs on reuse policy

  • Work with Upstream’s communications team to publish 1-2 blogs or vlogs throughout the duration of the internship 

Other tasks 

  • Attend 1-2 webinars or external meetings a month hosted by key players in the movement and report on key takeaways to the team

  • Assist the team with additional projects as needed and as capacity allows

Skill Development Opportunities

Through this internship, you will develop the following skills: 

  • A strong understanding of the reuse movement within the US and Canada, including key issues and players

  • A working knowledge of the reuse policy and funding landscapes

  • Direct experience supporting and navigating large advocacy networks

  • Experience working at a well-established environmental nonprofit on fast-paced policy issues

Core Competencies

Core competencies needed for this position:

  • Attention to detail 

  • Excellent organizational and time management skills

  • Excellent note-taking skills

  • Effective communication

  • Strong teamwork

  • Problem-solving prowess

  • Self motivation & a go-getter mindset

Physical Demands

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Work Environment

This internship is for 6 months with the possibility of extension and is compensated at a rate of $20 per hour. All work for this position will be conducted remotely, and candidates must reside in AZ, IL, MD, ME, NC, CA, TX or NY. Successful candidates will be required to commit to 20 hours per week, and will determine an appropriate schedule with Upstream’s Program Associate. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time.

EEO Statement: Upstream is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions at Upstream are based exclusively on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation and all other statuses as protected by the laws and regulations of the United States and/or the state of Maine. 

Employment at-will: The company does not offer tenure or guaranteed employment. The company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. This is called employment at-will, and this relationship exists regardless of any other written statements or policies contained in any company documents or verbal statements to the contrary.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.


Please send a cover letter and resume to cerise@upstreamsolutions.org by January 30th, 2026.