Community Engagement and Events Intern (BATWorks NYC)

About LACI
Please note that while the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is based in Los Angeles, CA, this internship is based in Brooklyn, New York, in-person at our BATWorks location.  

The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is a nonprofit organization creating an inclusive green economy by unlocking innovation (through working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies), transforming markets (through catalytic partnerships in zero emission transportation, clean energy and sustainable cities) and enhancing communities (through workforce development, pilots and other programs). Originally founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and its Department of Water & Power (LADWP), LACI is recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world. Learn more at laci.org

LACI plays a national role in the innovation ecosystem via three interlinked initiatives: 

• The City Climate Innovation Challenge, a landmark program to help cities across the country incorporate and scale innovation to achieve climate goals related to specific priority topics.
• The National Clean Energy Incubator Coalition, led by LACI, advocates for increased federal funding for incubation organizations.
• LACI Cleantech Debt Fund, the nation’s first early-stage cleantech startup debt fund

In New York City, NYCEDC has appointed a consortium led by LACI and the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) to design and operate “BATWorks,” a cutting-edge climate innovation hub at the Brooklyn Army Terminal (BAT) in Sunset Park. Building on LACI’s unique partnerships and programs in Los Angeles and growing national programs, LACI is the designated climate program operator for BATWorks. LACI operates the "Pilots at BAT" program and leads cleantech initiatives for piloting, startup incubation, workforce and public-private partnerships, while collaborating with the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) to design and manage the overall facility.

Intern Scope Summary:

• This fixed duration internship is designed for entry-level individuals pursuing careers in the climate space, with a focus on research and convening.  The intern will report to LACI’s SVP BATWorks and will have frequent engagement with the Events and Ecosystem Coordinator and the Pilots Associate. 

What You’ll Do:

• Clean Energy Permitting and Regulatory Research: Prepare a research report on the major permits required for deployment of clean energy technologies New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany. Technologies to be researched include: district heating/thermal energy networks,  battery energy storage systems, EV chargers, vehicle to grid/vehicle to building, onshore wind, heat pumps, battery repurposing, etc.
• Clean Energy Event Marketing & Promotion: Write a first pass of event copy with robust clean energy content, draft pre- and post-event emails, including linkages to state decarbonization goals, write copy for flyers, newsletters, and social media tool kits, including linkages to state decarbonization goals and programs, flyer to local businesses and community organizations, join event planning meetings with co-hosts and partners, set up Asana pages with event tracking, DARCI assignments, and deadlines, support online outreach by identifying new newsletters/event pages in the clean energy space and submitting events, build and update the contents of slide decks and agenda documents for clean energy events.
• Event Logistics & Day-Of Support: Source vendors, support day-of catering setup and coordination, support  attendee check-in on event day, support event setup and takedown, capture photo/video footage at events, support event day-of as needed, including guiding attendees to locations.
• Reporting & Data: Track event attendance and metrics, help build and maintain the BATWorks analytics dashboard using Looker Studio.
• Ecosystem & Community Outreach: Join tabling at community events with pertinence to clean energy to share information about BATWorks, write one blog post for LACI blog focused on clean energy.

Requirements:

Basically, we want to know you can get the job done. This means you have:

• Interest in, or concurrently pursuing, a university degree focused on a career in climate and clean energy
• Ability to work 15 hours per week in person (on some combination of Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays) between August and December 2026

Preferred Qualifications:

• Spoken Spanish language skills strongly preferred
• Interest in or familiarity with Sunset Park neighborhood
• Background in climate and clean energy

Position Details:

This is a five month, part-time, temporary internship, starting immediately. Budget to be confirmed with funder but anticipated to be about $20/ hour. Although we trust that you can do amazing work remote or from your home office, this is an in-person only position.