Environment & Sustainability

Summary: The Office of Sustainability’s Green Offices program team works with UT faculty and staff to encourage sustainable workplace practices. In this role, you will work alongside another student to lead the Green Offices program. In a typical year, the Green Offices student leaders manage the Green Offices certification process, perform consultations with UT faculty/staff, plan events/workshops, and answer sustainability-related inquiries from campus offices. We are currently in the process of updating the program and its resources. The Spring 2021 semester will be focused on this effort including finalizing the certification guide and resources as well as hosting focus groups with staff to gather feedback on the program updates. The Spring 2021 semester internship will take place virtually. We hope to relaunch the updated program in Fall 2021. We are looking for an intern who can commit to this spring semester as well as next academic year. There may be an opportunity for summer work. As an intern for the Office of Sustainability, you may also be asked to provide support for other Office of Sustainability programs, events, and initiatives.

Requirements: Must be proactive and self-motivated. Ability to communicate effectively and teach others about sustainability. Comfortable professionally interacting and communicating with staff and faculty. Enthusiasm for sustainability. Ability to work both independently and as a team. Proficient in Microsoft Office. 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: Some experience in sustainability (e.g. academics or extracurriculars). Previous leadership experience. Demonstrated ability to carry out a complex project from start to finish in collaboration with others. Confident, articulate, and willing to communicate professionally via multiple outlets including via email, in-person, over the phone, and through presentations. Experience creating graphics may be helpful.

Specific Job Functions:

• Finalize the Green Offices Resource Guide.
• Host focus groups with UT staff to gather feedback on the updated Green Offices program.
• Find creative ways to better engage staff/faculty in campus sustainability, including virtually.
• Lead Green Offices consultations with UT staff/faculty.
• Manage the Green Offices certification process including recording participant’s baseline data, reviewing final checklist data, confirming certification level, and tracking recertification deadlines.
• Manage the Green Offices email including answering faculty/staff questions about sustainability in the work place.
• Maintain Green Offices website including developing new resources for Green Offices participants.
• Develop and lead sustainability workshops, presentations, trainings, etc. for faculty/staff.
• Attend weekly meeting with Office of Sustainability intern team and supervisor(s).
• Other Office of Sustainability tasks as assigned.

Pay: $11/hr

Hours: 10hrs/week, flexible scheduling but must be available during typical work day (M-F, 8a-5p)

Location: Virtual for Spring 2021, typically located in Student Services Building 1.302

Start Date/Duration: Start date of January 2021 preferred. Must commit through Spring 2022.

To apply, submit a resume and cover letter explaining why you are interested in the role and the relevant skills/experiences you bring. Submit materials via Handshake or by email to Brianna.duran@austin.utexas.edu. Students who are Work Study eligible should also submit their Work Study Verification (WSV). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis, the job may close before the posted deadline.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this internship, the Green Offices Intern will:

• Understand how to apply concepts of sustainability to their personal lives, the campus community, the work place, and globally.
• Improve their ability to work as a team using effective interpersonal communication and conflict resolution to meet the team’s goals.
• Gain experience consulting with a wide range of groups to understand their needs and restrictions and aid them in implementing sustainable practices.
• Gain public speaking, email writing, meeting, and other professional communications skills.

Career-Readiness Competencies:

As a Green Offices intern, students will strengthen the below competencies.

• Oral/Written Communications: Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms. By leading consultations and giving presentations, strengthen public speaking skills, interpersonal communications skills, and ability to express ideas to others. Will gain professional email communications skills.
• Professionalism/Work Ethic: Demonstrate personal accountability and the ability to work effectively both independently and within a collaborative team environment consisting of student and professional staff.
• Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: Strengthen the use of sound reasoning to analyze issues, make decisions, and overcome problems. Develop and implement creative new ideas about how to engage staff and faculty in the Green Offices program.
• Teamwork/Collaboration: Build collaborative relationships with colleagues and “customers” (Green Offices staff/faculty participants). Develop ability to work within a team structure.

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.