Archives for April 2021

April 14, 2021, Filed Under: Research

Undergraduate Research Assistantship with the Latino Research Institute – Summer 2021

Role Description

This position supports the aims of an externally funded research study. Working closely with the study’s investigators, the position assists with the collection, management, and processing of qualitative and quantitative data collected as part of a study examining health outcomes and behaviors of Latino children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

The selected individual will primarily work with research team staff to schedule and assess study participants, distribute study materials to participants (by mail), maintain detailed and accurate records, and maintain the existing database. A smaller percentage of time will be spent working with researchers and remote staff to receive instruction or resolve data quality issues. This position is remote.

Preference will be given to highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated individuals who can work under little supervision. Work schedule flexibility will be based on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate these traits after hire. Comfortable clothing and headphones are encouraged.

Duties and Responsibilities

This position will assist with a variety research study activities, including collaborating with research team members to conduct data collection by phone or video call, develop reports for research team meetings, assist with data management according to study protocols, and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Strong organizational skills

Detail-oriented

Excellent communication skills (oral and written)

Confidentiality

Ability to work independently and also as part of a team

Bilingual

Basic computer skills

Research experience (optional)

Experience with data management (optional)

Work Days and Times

6/1/21 – 8/31/21

10 Hours Per Week

Monday – Friday

9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Flexible Hours

Compensation

$10.00 Per Hour

Contact Information

Fran Pena

Administrative Program Coordinator

To Apply

Please apply online through handshake. The application deadline is May 12, 2021 at 8:00 AM.

April 14, 2021, Filed Under: Uncategorized

Sustainable Food Center Internship – Summer 21

Sustainable Food Center Farm Development Services Internship – Summer 2021

Organization: Founded in 1993, with roots dating back to 1975 as Austin Community Gardens, Sustainable Food Center (SFC) is involved in every step of our local, Central Texas, food system. Our mission is to cultivate a just and regenerative food system so people and the environment can thrive.

Why intern at SFC?

At SFC, we are passionate about our work and share a commitment to expanding access to locally grown food raised with integrity and care, for all members of our community. Join us if you are driven to build and create lasting change that supports people and the planet.

We’re on a journey

SFC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity on our staff and in our community. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels comfortable bringing their full, authentic selves to work. To that end, we have organized multiple all-staff trainings, created internal working groups that celebrate our diverse community, and integrated equity principles into every aspect of our work.

We uphold the following Core Values:

Connectedness: We are community-focused and believe that relationships are powerful tools for building community.
Equity: We support the right of all people to grow, access, sell, and consume healthy and culturally-appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and regenerative methods.
Sustainability: We know humans have a profound responsibility to treat our planet with care and respect, and we are committed to ensuring that diverse species may thrive on Earth for generations to come.

Description:

This is a part-time paid summer internship at approximately 20-25 hours per week.

The Farm Development Services intern will engage in a National Organic Program standards research and planning project with SFC Farm Viability staff. Other activities include farmer interviews, building farmer profiles, and working at the weekly Saturday Farmers’ Markets.

Job Duties:

Research National Organic Program standards through USDA and third-party certification organizations
Organize and schedule interviews with agricultural producers for feedback on third-party certification programs
Create matrices of organic, certified naturally grown, humanely raised livestock standards
Support for execution of new customer relationship management system, including database creation, upkeep
Support for outreach efforts for newsletter signups and awareness of farm viability programming
Create farmer profiles to be used in promotional materials

About you:

You are interested in farming and food systems and want to be a part of a new farmer support initiative. You are energized by meeting new people and building relationships with a variety of different people. You are organized and can work independently with plenty of energy and commitment to carry projects through. You also have a high degree of initiative, flexibility, and creativity, and enjoy being outdoors.

You will also bring expertise and demonstrated capacity in:

Writing and editing
Database management
Outreach, conducting interviews, and synthesizing results
MS Office applications, including Excel, Word, and Outlook, and use of web-based applications
Using Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, etc.) a plus (can train if necessary)

Eligibility & Benefits:

Internships at SFC are hourly wage positions at $15-$20/hour (commensurate with experience). Except, if a student applies for work-study program that is 100% funded by the institution.

Timing, Duration & Hours Requirements:

Start in early June. Interns will establish a regular weekly work schedule of 20-25 hours per week. Commitment through the end of August preferred.

If interested, please send a cover letter and resume to agallo@sustainablefoodcenter.org with subject title FDS Summer Internship. Within your cover letter, tell us about your lived experience working with diverse communities.

Note: Currently, all SFC staff and interns are working from home due to the pandemic.

April 13, 2021, Filed Under: Internship

Internship Opportunities with UT Resource Recovery – Summer 21

Position Title: Resource Recovery Team Member – Paper Towel Composting (Summer)

Employer: UT Resource Recovery

Employment Dates: June 1 – August 6, 2021

Compensation: $11.00/hour

Supervisor’s Name: Morgan Laner, Zero Waste Program Coordinator

To Apply: Submit cover letter, Resume

Description:

Resource Recovery is a department within UT Facilities Services that encompasses both Zero Waste and Surplus Properties. Resource Recovery is tasked with improving sustainability at UT, specifically with regards to reaching our Zero Waste goal to divert 90% of all materials from the landfill. Major diversion strategies include source reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting. As a result, we have the opportunity to partner and observe material processes across campus.

This summer, we are looking for 2 students to assist with the rollout of campus-wide composting programs. Each week, Team Members will go into different buildings across campus to convert the trash bins in restrooms to paper towel composting bins. Resource Recovery Team Members have been one of the key forces in driving this program expansion, converting over 1 million square feet of buildings each semester since 2019!

Primary job responsibilities:

Update signage to reflect the collection of paper towels for composting
Conduct spot audits of compost toters after custodial training
Maintain Google map of compost locations
Identify unnecessary bins to maximize efficiency for custodial staff
Prepare building floorplans before each conversion date
Track inventory of stickers and other supplies

This position is 10 hours per week from June 1 to August 6, 2021. We expect to have set hours on two days per week based on students’ schedules. Students will participate in a weekly project meeting and onboarding via Zoom, and remaining hours will be done on-campus. Resource Recovery takes the safety of our students very seriously and abides by all COVID protocols, including capacity limits, face masks, and sanitization practices.

As a result of this experience, you will:

Have a greater knowledge of compost infrastructure at UT
Enhance collaboration skills with other team members
Practice reading and interpreting building floorplans and maps
Explore buildings on campus that you may not have entered otherwise

Qualifications:

Interest and/or experience in sustainability and willingness to learn about the inner workings of composting and waste diversion
Ability to maintain professionalism and represent the department well when communicating with faculty, staff, and students
Timely and effective communicator
Punctual
Ability to produce quality work individually and in teams
Organized and adaptable
Comfortable with riding bike (preferred)
Must be able to lift 50 pounds and be comfortable working outdoors

Apply online: Resource Recovery Team Member – Paper Towel Composting (Summer) (apps close May 7)

Position Title: Resource Recovery Team Member – Standardized Signage (Summer)

Employer: UT Resource Recovery

Employment Dates: June 1 – August 6, 2021

Compensation: $11.00/hour

Supervisor’s Name: Morgan Laner, Zero Waste Program Coordinator

To Apply: Submit cover letter, Resume

Description:

This summer, we are looking for six students to assist with the rollout of new waste signage across campus as part of a Green Fund grant project. By providing consistent, standardized signage for Landfill Trash and Recycling bins, we can help reduce confusion over what goes in each bin. Students working on this project will play a major role in ensuring that campus is ready to go for the fall semester.

Primary job responsibilities:

Utilize best practices in signage placement to affix Landfill Trash and Recycling signs across campus
Maintain inventory and transport materials to each building

This position is 10 hours per week from June 1 to August 6, 2021. We expect to have set hours on two days per week based on students’ schedules, and will provide guidance for which buildings to focus on each day. Students will participate in a weekly project meeting and onboarding via Zoom, and remaining hours will be done on-campus. Resource Recovery takes the safety of our students very seriously and abides by all COVID protocols, including capacity limits, face masks, and sanitization practices.

As a result of this experience, you will:

Have a greater knowledge of waste diversion at UT (e.g. recycling, compost)
Enhance collaboration skills with other team members
Explore buildings on campus that you may not have entered otherwise

Qualifications:

Interest and/or experience in sustainability and willingness to learn about the inner workings of waste diversion
Ability to maintain professionalism and represent the department well when communicating with faculty, staff, and students
Timely and effective communicator
Punctual
Ability to produce quality work individually and in teams
Organized and adaptable
Must be able to lift 50 pounds and be comfortable working outdoors

Apply online: Resource Recovery Team Member – Standardized Signage (Summer) (apps close May 7)

Position Title: Resource Recovery Team Member — UT Surplus Reuse Store (Thursday) (Summer)

Employer: UT Resource Recovery

Compensation: $11.00/hour

Dates of Employment: May 10 – August 15, 2021

Supervisor’s Name: Luis Alvarado, Surplus Properties Supervisor

To Apply: Submit cover letter and resume

Description:

Resource Recovery is a department within UT Facilities Services that encompasses both Zero Waste and Surplus Properties. Resource Recovery is tasked with improving sustainability at UT, specifically with regards to reaching our Zero Waste goal to divert 90% of all materials from the landfill. Major diversion strategies include source reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting. This position is part of Resource Recovery’s Student Internship Program. Team Members are not expected to have any sustainability background – only interest in learning!

We are looking for a Reuse Store Team member. This project supports Surplus Property in selling no longer used materials to the general public through a retail store. Students lead preparation of sales items for the store as well as store operation. Additionally, students may have the opportunity to work on special projects such as student outreach, tonnage diversion calculations, and attendance analysis.

The store is open Thursdays, 3—7pm, and Saturdays, 8-12pm. Applicants for this listing should be available to operate the store during the Thursday hours. The following is a typical breakdown of work days and times for a 10-hour week:

4 hours for open hours of store on Thursdays (3-7pm every week)
5 hours for store prep work and special projects (time based on team and student schedules)
1 hour for transportation

Responsibilities and learning objectives of the Reuse Store Team Member include but are not limited to:

Organization and attention to detail to prepare for store sales events
Communication and marketing postings to encourage store attendance
Have a greater knowledge of sustainability considerations, including understanding the role that surplus plays in achieving UT’s waste diversion goals
Professional customer-service that represents UT and the department well
Data collection and analysis
Practice project management activities such as planning, coordination, and implementation

This position will be based at the Pickle Research Campus (10100 Burnet Road), accessible by CapMetro bus (free with UT ID). For the health and safety of our students, staff, faculty, and guests, the store has added plexiglass barriers at the checkout counter and is following all COVID-19 building safety measures and guidelines provided by The University of Texas at Austin. This includes posted signage, required face coverings, and social distancing measures.

Qualifications:

Interest in retail sales, design, or business management preferred
Ability to maintain professionalism and represent the department well when communicating with faculty and staff
Capacity to work well with a team as well as independently
Self-starter who is detail-oriented, organized, and adaptable
Ability to work both independently and accurately with little supervision
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Ability to transport to Pickle Research Campus in north central Austin
Ability to lift up to 50lbs
Ability to work in warehouse environment with variable weather conditions

Apply online: Resource Recovery Team Member – UT Surplus Reuse Store (Thursday) (Summer) (apps close May 28)