Air Quality Intern

About Houston-Galveston Area CouncilLocal governments touch the lives of citizens in our region every day, in many ways. The Houston-Galveston Area Council is the regional council of local governments for our area, serving an area of 12,500 square miles and more than 7 million people. H-GAC helps local governments and their citizens address issues that cross city limits and county lines. The work is important because our region is growing rapidly. Local governments must meet today's needs and prepare for a better future.H-GAC helps local government consider issues and cooperate in solving today's problems while also planning for the future. Total membership stands at 131 local governments - all 13 county governments, 107 cities, and 11 school districts. H-GAC is governed by a 37-member Board of Directors composed of local elected officials who serve on the governing bodies of those member local governments.H-GAC provides many tools to support the region's local governments: information, region-wide plans, and services concentrated in areas such as Community and Environmental Planning, Data Services, Human Services, Public Services and Transportation PlanningPOSITION SUMMARY:The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Air Quality Intern to support the Air Quality Policy Team within the Metropolitan Planning & Analysis Division. This internship is ideal for students interested in environmental policy, sustainability, transportation planning, and regional air quality management.The intern will contribute to projects and initiatives that support regional efforts to improve air quality, reduce emissions, and advance sustainability goals across the Houston-Galveston region. Responsibilities may include assisting with air quality data analysis, conducting research on air quality policies and best practices, supporting program evaluation efforts, and participating in community engagement activities related to clean air initiatives.The intern will gain hands-on experience working with regional air quality programs and policies, including efforts related to the Clean Air Action Plan and initiatives that promote zero-emission vehicle adoption and public engagement in air quality solutions. This position offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with planners, policy analysts, and regional partners while developing professional skills in environmental analysis and public sector planning.This is a temporary intern position for Summer 2026 (approximately 11 weeks). The position is part-time and based onsite at the H-GAC office located at 3555 Timmons Lane.RESPONSIBILITIES:Data Collection & Analysisü Assist with collecting, cleaning, and analyzing air quality data from multiple sources such as monitoring networks, emissions inventories, and regional datasets.ü Support mapping and visualization of air quality trends and regional patterns.ü Develop charts, tables, and summary reports to help communicate technical findings to staff and stakeholders.Research & Policy Supportü Conduct research on air quality regulations, policies, best practices, and emerging technologies.ü Review local, state, and federal air quality policies and assist in assessing potential regional impacts.ü Compile and summarize research findings to support program development and decision-making.Community Outreach & Stakeholder Engagementü Assist with organizing and supporting community meetings, workshops, and outreach events related to air quality and environmental initiatives.ü Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to promote community participation in regional air quality efforts.ü Help prepare outreach materials and presentations for stakeholder engagement activities.Program Evaluation & Reportingü Assist in tracking and evaluating the effectiveness of regional air quality programs and initiatives.ü Support preparation of documentation and summaries for grant compliance and program reporting.ü Contribute to the development of performance metrics and recommendations to improve program outcomes.ü Other projects as assigned.ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS:Minimal Requirements:ü Currently enrolled as a college pursuing a degree in Environmental Science, Atmospheric Science, Public Policy, Urban Planning, Sustainability, or a related field.ü Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret environmental or technical data.ü Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).ü Strong written and verbal communication skills.ü Ability to manage multiple assignments and work both independently and in a team environment.Optimal Qualifications:ü Knowledge of sustainability, climate, and environmental issues affecting regional air quality.ü Familiarity with air quality reduction strategies and emissions mitigation approaches.ü Understanding of environmental regulations and air quality policy frameworks.ü Awareness of the benefits and impacts of zero-emission vehicle adoption.ü Experience with community outreach, stakeholder engagement, or environmental education.What You'll Gain:ü Hands-on experience working on regional air quality planning and policy initiatives.ü Exposure to data analysis, environmental research, and public sector planning processes.ü Opportunities to engage with stakeholders and community partners working to improve regional air quality.ü Insight into regional sustainability strategies, including the Clean Air Action Plan and clean transportation initiatives.ü Mentorship and professional development from experienced planners and environmental policy professionals.All employees of H-GAC are required to reside within the agency's region of service to support our commitment to excellence in service of our region.