Sustainability and Energy Intern

Sustainability Intern

GENERAL

SUMMARY:

The Sustainability Intern plays a crucial role in supporting the Sustainability Office and implementing the community's sustainability plan that balances environmental and ecological integrity with economic prosperity and social/cultural vibrancy; addresses organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans; and performs other duties as assigned.

POSITION BACKGROUND:
The City of Dubuque has committed to creating an equitable community of choice for all residents and businesses and recognizes its role in advancing racial equity and social justice through its daily operations. Additionally, the City Council has named Sustainability as one of its priorities each year since 2006. In 2020, the City updated the 50% by 2030 Community Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CAP) and City Council approved funding of a community engagement effort related to the CAP.

The intern will help to ensure equitable community engagement and general support of sustainability initiatives.

The Intern will have the opportunity to use data collection, best practices research, community engagement, event planning, creativity, and review of historical practices to place under-represented communities and sustainability initiatives at the forefront of the work.

TEAM

DESCRIPTION:

The Office of Sustainability was established in 2006 as part of the City Manager's Office at the direction of City Council. The Office guides the city's efforts to make our community a better place to live. The Office of Sustainability engages City leadership and collaborates across City departments and with the community to implement climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives, supports the Resilient Community Advisory Commission and facilitates other community-led sustainability projects.

The Sustainability Intern will be part of the City Manager's Office and will work closely with the Director of Sustainability, the Climate Action Coordinator, as well as other departments and residents.

JOB DUTIES:

The intern will support the City's sustainability, energy management, and building operations initiatives while gaining practical experience in data management, field research, analysis, and cross-departmental collaboration within a local government environment.

• Assist with collecting, organizing, maintaining, and verifying energy, utility, building, and facility data.
• Enter and update information in databases, spreadsheets, energy management platforms, and other data management systems.
• Research and maintain information related to municipal buildings, including building characteristics, systems, occupancy, operating conditions, and other facility information.
• Review existing records and identify missing, outdated, or inconsistent information.
• Communicate with City departments, facility managers, administrative staff, and other employees to gather and verify information.
• Conduct site visits to municipal facilities to collect and verify building and facility information.
• Perform basic visual observations of building systems, equipment, and facility characteristics.
• Document field observations using spreadsheets, forms, photographs, or other approved data collection tools.
• Compare information collected in the field with existing records and identify discrepancies or information requiring follow-up.
• Assist with analyzing energy use, utility consumption, building performance, and other facility-related data.
• Assist with benchmarking and tracking energy and building performance over time.
• Identify trends, unusual changes, or other information that may warrant additional review.
• Prepare basic tables, charts, summaries, reports, presentations, and other materials to communicate findings.
• Assist with research and evaluation of sustainability, energy efficiency, building operations, and related initiatives.
• Support the identification and evaluation of potential energy efficiency and sustainability opportunities.
• Maintain organized records, documentation, and tracking systems related to assigned projects and activities.
• Coordinate and follow up on…