Sustainability Center Intern

The Sustainability Experience Center is a nine-acre property on the eastern edge of Penn State’s University Park campus, which serves as a living laboratory for students, faculty, and the community. It hosts a wide range of indoor and outdoor classrooms, including the Morning Star solar home, the Eco-Machine ecological wastewater system, a community garden, experimental forests, and multiple ongoing research projects.

We are looking for an intern to support educational tours and visitor engagement while helping steward the property’s pollinator garden and vegetable plots to maintain a welcoming, functional space for all visitors. The internship is expected to start in mid-August and run through the Fall term (ending around Thanksgiving).

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

• Leads engaging and educational tours for visitors and supports public programming, including workshops, volunteer events, and other visitor experiences.
• Supports general site operations, including basic data tracking, garden and plant documentation, and preparation for programming and tours.
• Supports maintenance of the SEC’s pollinator garden and vegetable plots, including planting, weeding, harvesting, and general upkeep to help maintain an inviting and functional learning environment.

• Interest in sustainability, environmental education, gardening, and ecological stewardship.
• Comfort with public speaking and engaging diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in outdoor settings; may require the ability to work in an outdoor environment in adverse weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
• Basic proficiency in Excel or similar data tracking tools.

• Experience leading sustainability-focused tours and supporting engagement initiatives.
• Hands‑on experience in pollinator garden maintenance and ecological land stewardship.
• Exposure to sustainability systems, including food, water, energy, and land use at the SEC.
• Basic skills in garden documentation, plant monitoring, and educational programming support.
• Confidence working independently and as part of a small, collaborative team.
• Development of NACE competencies through hands‑on sustainability work, public engagement, and site stewardship.
• Enhanced communication, leadership, teamwork, and professionalism skills.
• Improved critical thinking, technology, and organizational skills.
• Promotion of equity and inclusion while encouraging career and professional growth through experiential learning.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualifying applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact .