About Texas Sustainability
The Campus Sustainability Policy, adopted in April 2008, requires that policies, practices and curricula at The University of Texas at Austin strive to reduce life cycle costs, restore or maintain functioning natural systems, and enhance human well-being.
UT Austin—one of the first public institutions of higher education in Texas to rigorously focus on sustainability—continues to lead among universities by reducing waste, conserving energy and water resources, constructing green buildings and landscapes, and much more.
Sustainability at The University of Texas at Austin is the work of the Office of Sustainability, established in 2009, and numerous campus partners that work in unison to implement the Sustainability Master Plan.
Internship Description
Summary
The Office of Sustainability undergraduate intern will co-lead efforts to gather student feedback on the Sustainability Master Plan update. The Sustainability Master Plan is the university’s guiding document for campus sustainability efforts. The Office of Sustainability endeavors to solicit broad and diverse feedback from students during the planning process and is working to ensure equity is considered throughout the updated Sustainability Master Plan. The Texas Sustainability Intern may also be asked to provide support for other Office of Sustainability programs, events, and initiatives as needed.
Requirements
Must be proactive and self-motivated. Strong verbal communications skills. Comfortable interacting and communicating with students from diverse backgrounds. Enthusiasm and interest in sustainability concepts and applications. Ability to work both independently and as a team. Strong time-management skills. Scheduling availability during typical workday hours (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) to meet with office staff.
Preferred Skills/Experience
Experience leading focus groups, meetings, or other groups of peers. Basic sustainability knowledge including an understanding of the intersection of environmental and equity issues. Actively involved in the Multicultural Engagement Center or other similar campus organizations or programs.
Specific Job Functions
- Organize, recruit for, and host focus groups with students from across campus
- Reach out to and present on the draft Sustainability Master Plan to student organizations
- Develop and implement other methods for gathering student feedback throughout the Sustainability Master Plan update process
- Regularly meet with student co-lead, Office of Sustainability staff, and project faculty advisor
- Assist with other Office of Sustainability initiatives as needed
Pay: $11/hour
Hours: 5-10hrs/week, flexible scheduling but must have some availability during typical work day (M-F, 8a-5p)
Location: Virtual
Start Date/Duration: Start date of Dec. 2020 preferred for initial on-boarding. Must commit through spring semester.
How to Apply
A resume and cover letter must be submitted to apply. Email application materials to Brianna.duran@austin.utexas.edu Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
The UT Office of Sustainability is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including BIPOC, LGBTQ identifying people, gender-nonconforming people, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people who speak a language in addition to English.