Jobs for the Environment — NYPIRG’s Canvass

Make a difference in New York: APPLY NOW to join NYPIRG’s campaign to hold corporate polluters accountable!

Ready to make a difference? Fill out our online form to apply to join NYPIRG’s campaign to protect the environment, fight climate change, and defend democracy. Working with NYPIRG’s canvass, you will be part of a grassroots movement that has empowered thousands of activists — like you — to create real change.

About

About NYPIRG

The New York Public Interest Research Group Fund is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that advances important public interest issues through sophisticated grassroots organizing and advocacy, public education, and media exposure. Since 1976, NYPIRG has played a key role in fighting for more than 150 laws and executive orders that protect the environment and public health, safeguard consumers, improve public transportation, and foster open, responsive government.

About the Job

NYPIRG’s summer canvass operates out of regional field offices in Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca, Kingston, New York City, Rochester, and Syracuse from May through August. Our year-round canvass operates out of our main office in New York City from September through August. The canvass operation runs Monday through Friday. As a canvasser, you will be walking door to door, talking with New Yorkers about our environmental campaigns and getting them involved, fundraising, and building our membership base. We also hold a staff-wide retreat during the summer to meet fellow canvassers and enjoy some of the more scenic parts of New York State!

Canvassers earn $17.25 per hour in New York City and $16.25 in all other offices, with additional bonuses and ample opportunities for advancement. Being a part of the NYPIRG canvass increases your knowledge of environmental and social issues and gives you concrete skills and experience for careers in the nonprofit, environmental, and advocacy fields. Qualified candidates...

  • Are energetic and ready to help grow a movement and stop climate change.
  • Have good communication skills.
  • Foster a strong concern for environmental and social justice issues.
  • Are dedicated and hardworking — no prior canvassing experience is required!

New York State has a history of setting national precedents when it comes to climate and environmental policies. At a time when advocating for the public interest is of the utmost importance, New York must continue to lead the way with bold policy. Grassroots organizations like NYPIRG work tirelessly to ensure that this happens. In December of 2024, we helped to pass the Climate Change Superfund Act — by far the most progressive statewide climate policy in the country — forcing fossil fuel polluters to pay for the damage that they have caused.

Staff Profile

Samid
Canvasser, New York City

“I like working for NYPIRG because I know my hard work creates a positive impact. It’s not just about fundraising or collecting signatures — it’s about fostering a community of people who actually care about the environment and public health. I know I am passionate about working for the environment because I come from a country where the climate crisis has always been taking a toll, and NYPIRG provides me the platform to work on this issue. Every day I canvass, I have a new experience. Every day I learn, and every day I remind myself I am devoting my time to something that transcends borders and sparks change!”

Campaign finance loophole swallows the law  (WAMC, October 15, 2026)
Unsafe lead levels found in schools across New York, new report says  (The Capitol Pressroom, October 16, 2026)
Hochul has yet to act on more than half the bills the Legislature approved. It's not uncommon  (WXXI, October 8, 2026)
More than 200 Long Island schools have lead fixtures, report finds  (Newsday, October 8, 2026)
NYPIRG releases searchable lead results for NY schools  (WNYT, October 8, 2026)
Advocates focus on legislation as lead contamination in N.Y. schools persists  (Spectrum News, October 8, 2026)
What’s in your school’s water? New York map shows lead test results school by school  (WHEC, October 8, 2026)
New school-level data shows dozens of lead exceedances at Western New York schools  (Buffalo Toronto Public Media, October 8, 2026)
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions  (Gothmist, October 6, 2026)
Protesters across N.Y. state call out Starbucks over plastic recycling claims following investigation  (Spectrum News 1, October 4, 2026)
New York should get lead out of schools’ drinking water  (WAMC, September 30, 2026)
Tompkins County Ranks 5th Worst in New York State for School Lead Contamination, New Report Says  (Ithaca.com, September 28, 2026)
Construction of the Constitution Pipeline will not help the affordability crisis  (WAMC, September 25, 2026)
Jefferson County schools react to report showing high lead levels  (Spectrum News, September 25, 2026)
Local Political Groups Turn Out for Voter Registration Day  (New Paltz Oracle, September 23, 2026)
Tompkins schools rank among state’s highest for lead in drinking water  (Tomkins Weekly, September 22, 2026)
All Erie County schools, public and private, must work harder on lead  (The Buffalo News, September 22, 2026)
NYC Initiative Reduces Lead Risk in Public School Drinking Water  (Vision Times, September 18, 2026)
Report: High lead levels found in north country school drinking water, local districts respond  (WCAX, September 18, 2026)
Report: Lead contamination is in 1/4 school water pipes across CNY  (CNY Central, September 18, 2026)
News Archive
NYPIRG joins 185 groups in a letter to Congressional Leaders opposing policies that will pave the way for large-scale data center construction and fossil fuel-based infrastructure needed to power them.
NYPIRG Releases New Search Tool to Allow NYers to Easily Look Up School-by-School Results for Lead in Drinking Water
Release: State Data Showing New York State’s Schools with the Highest Percentage Used for Drinking, Cooking and Beverage Making Containing Lead Contamination
News Release and Report: “Life of the Parties” Examines the Biggest Contributors to the Major Political Parties Between 2022 and the First Half of 2026
Release: NYPIRG and other advocates call on Mayor Mamdani to keep his campaign pledges to decarbonize NYC
Release: Gov. Hochul signs legislation to create statewide electric lawn equipment rebate program. Public health professionals, business leaders, and environmental groups applaud effort to reduce air, climate and noise pollution, and support NY small businesses.
Release: NYPIRG submits public comments on the Environmental Assessment of the Williams Transco Proposed Constitution Pipeline, highlighting environmental and public health concerns.
Report: Get the lead out New York - Why New York State’s efforts to get lead out of school drinking water are still inadequate
News Release: Get the lead out New York. New study shows that from Buffalo to Montauk school building drinking water commonly tested above state lead limits
NYPIRG Statement Regarding the August 31, 2026 Federal Court Decision to Block New York’s Landmark Climate Change Superfund Act
NYPIRG Joins With Reformers Urging Candidates for Office to Defend the Integrity of New York’s Elections
NYPIRG News Release: The Fossil Fuel Industry Nearly Doubles Its Profits in the Second Quarter of 2026 While New Yorkers Experience Pain at the Pump
Release: New Yorkers Face Alarming Cost of Climate Change: Half a Trillion in Spending Needs
Report: Paying for Resilience, in New York State - The Costs of Climate Change NEW YORK STATE
NYPIRG Statement Regarding Governor Hochul’s Executive Order Placing a Moratorium on Large Data Centers in New York State
NYPIRG Statement on New York City’s Joint Bus Action Plan
As Heat Wave Scorches New York, Congress Must Protect Climate Change Superfund!
NYPIRG Statement on Climate and Affordability in the Final FY2027 City Budget
NYPIRG Statement on the FY2027 City Budget Agreement
Tale of the Tape: NYPIRG’s 2026 Legislative Review - Fewest Bills Passed, Outside Of Covid Year, Since Democrats Took Control Of The Legislature In 2019
Reports & Features Archive