Environmental Infrastructure Impact Lending Fellow
The Bekenstein Intern at the Green Bank will be a fully participating member of the organization from day one. Individual responsibilities may include:
- Conducting market gap analysis and performing other research to help inform potential origination activities and/or requests for proposals
- Supporting strategy development for environmental infrastructure projects
- Exploring other Green Bank and Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) peer initiatives and best practices for advancing deployment targets
- Support internal explorations of project procurement processes for environmental infrastructure projects.
- Assisting with internal research on data and impact metric methodologies for environmental infrastructure projects.
- Preparation of research reports and materials related to the Green Bank’s existing programs or areas of potential program development.
- Related duties as required.
Qualifications
The following minimum qualifications in knowledge, skill and ability are required:
- Applicants must have a strong and demonstrated interest in environmental infrastructure and conservation policy and finance through their coursework, work experience, and/or extracurricular activities;
- Ability to work efficiently on assigned tasks independently or with little assistance;
- Creative problem-solving abilities and a sense of personal accountability and urgency for achieving results in a challenging, fast-paced environment;
- Significant level of maturity and the ability to work under pressure as a part of a small team with top company executives and senior management;
- Strong communication and engagement skills, including writing and the ability to read and interpret complex documents (including financial, legislative, and legal documents);
- Strong organizational and time management skills, with the initiative and ability to multitask and work with limited supervision as a member of a team.
The following minimum experience and training is required:
Highly motivated individual with strong academic standing in a Master’s or other post-graduate degree program relevant to finance, policy, environmental infrastructure, and/or conservation and natural resource management.
EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:
- This position reports to the Associate Director of Environmental Infrastructure Programs.
- This is a hybrid role split between a minimum of two (2) days per workweek in the Green Bank’s Hartford, CT office and remote work.
- Anticipated dates of the position are June 1 – August 21, 2026.
- Expected stipend is $15,000, funded directly by the Bekenstein Climate Leaders Internship Program.
- Must be eligible to work in the U.S. for the duration of the position.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Frequent communications, verbal and written, both qualitative and quantitative
- Visually or otherwise identify, observe, and assess
- Repetitive use of hands and fingers typing and/or writing
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Background
The Connecticut Green Bank, a quasi-public authority, is the nation’s first state-level green bank, with a mission to confront climate change by increasing and accelerating investment into Connecticut’s green economy to create more resilient, healthy, and equitable communities. Working at the Green Bank means being part of a dynamic team of talented people who are passionate about stimulating the growth and development of clean energy and environmental infrastructure investment in Connecticut, and growing our economy, strengthening our communities, and protecting our environment.
A Graduate Summer Fellow position with the Green Bank is an exciting opportunity to gain valuable experience working with one of the nation’s leading public finance institutions. The Green Bank is a mission-oriented organization that designs, structures, and invests in opportunities that foster the deployment and growth of clean energy technology and environmental infrastructure to build a resilient future for Connecticut. Since its inception in 2011, the Green Bank has mobilized $1.7 billion of investment into Connecticut’s economy. Our mission is to confront climate change and provide all of society a healthier and more prosperous future by increasing and accelerating the flow of private capital into markets that energize the green economy.
The Environmental Infrastructure Impact Lending Fellow will support financing program development in one or more of the sectors defined by Connecticut Public Act 21-115 supporting greenhouse gas mitigation, including organic waste management solutions, climate adaptation and resiliency inclusive of nature-based solutions, and natural and working lands inclusive of environmental markets, or other related industries. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated interest in sectoral topic areas:
- Organic waste management solutions
- Agriculture (inclusive of forestry and aquaculture)
- Climate adaptation and resilience
- Water
- Land conservation
- Parks and recreation
- Environmental markets including but not limited to carbon offsets and other ecosystem services
A successful project will identify and advance environmental impact opportunities achievable through strategic lending. Efforts will be made to match student interest with team need. For example, the project could focus on financing support for organic waste diversion, climate smart agricultural transitions, or other aligned topics based on the successful candidate’s career interests.
