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Role Description

CAA is seeking a talented and motivated law student or public administration/public policy graduate student to support targeted regulatory research focused on organic waste processing requirements and mandates that intersect with emerging EPR programs in Maryland, Minnesota, Maine, and Washington.

This internship will focus on providing research to help CAA understand how state and local organics regulations, ordinances, and related policies may impact EPR program design, obligated services, facility operations, and implementation feasibility.

This is not a passive research role. The intern will work closely with CAA's program and policy teams, engage with state-specific context, and develop actionable recommendations that will directly inform program planning decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Research, synthesize and document organics-related regulatory requirements across selected EPR states and priority local jurisdictions.
• Organics Requirements Landscape:
  • Identify and summarize state and local organics laws, ordinances, solid waste management plans, and other relevant policies.
  • Focus on mandatory organics diversion, collection requirements, single-use packaging or foodservice ware bans, and service obligations.
• Interaction with EPR Program Planning and SOWs:
  • Analyze how organics mandates intersect with EPR program scopes of work.
  • Identify obligated services to manage certified compostable products, program timelines, and defined roles of producers, service providers, and jurisdictions.
  • Identify where packaging-related organics requirements may constrain, enable, or complicate EPR program implementation.
• Facilities, Services, and Operational Impacts:
  • Assess how organics requirements affect existing and planned organics processing facilities.
  • Evaluate collection systems including curbside and drop-off sites and service models.
  • Identify operational barriers, capacity constraints, and implementation risks relevant to program planning.
• Contracting Structures and Market Implications:
  • Review how organics mandates influence current contracting structures.
  • Identify where changes to MRF or organics operations may create contracting or market challenges.
• Education, Accessory Laws, and Related Requirements:
  • Map requirements related to education and outreach, including responsibilities and mandated messaging.
  • Identify related or “accessory” laws that may affect organics systems.
• Cross State Comparison and Planning Takeaways:
  • Develop a comparative matrix highlighting similarities, differences, and unique features across states and key local jurisdictions.
  • Identify where organics requirements create alignment opportunities or structural barriers.

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in a JD/LLM, MPA/MPP, public policy, public administration, environmental policy, or related graduate program.
• Strong legal or policy research and writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex regulatory frameworks into clear, usable analysis.
• Demonstrated interest in environmental regulation, waste management, recycling/organics systems, or public-sector service delivery.
• Ability to work independently, manage a defined research scope, and deliver high-quality written outputs.

Requirements

• Familiarity with EPR, organics policy, recycling systems, or solid waste management.
• Experience reviewing statutes, regulations, and local ordinances.
• Experience with applied policy research or regulatory analysis in a professional setting.
• Familiarity with one or more of the focus states: Maryland, Minnesota, Maine, or Washington.
• Experience conducting policy research in an applied or professional setting.

Benefits

• Location: Fully Remote
• Pay Rate: $25.00 per hour. Since this is a temporary position, it is not eligible for benefits.
• Interns must have their own laptop and access to high-speed internet.
• This is a Part-Time Internship Opportunity roughly 20-30 hours a week.
• Reports To: Maggie Moellering, Emerging States Program Manager.

Company Description

Circular Action Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you require accommodation as part of the application process, please contact careers@circularaction.org .