Sustainability Center Intern: Tours & Garden Stewardship

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

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

It also offers an ideal setting for exploring food, energy, water, land, and community systems.

We’re 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 the Notice to Out of State Applicants.

• Lead engaging and educational tours for visitors and support public programming, including workshops, volunteer events, and other visitor experiences.
• Support general site operations, including basic data tracking, garden and plant documentation, and preparation for programming and tours.
• Maintain the SEC’s pollinator garden and vegetable plots, including planting, weeding, harvesting, and general upkeep to 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 ability to work 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.
• The internship develops several NACE competencies through hands‑on sustainability work, public engagement, and site stewardship.
• Leading tours and educational programming strengthens communication, leadership, teamwork, and professionalism.
• Supporting garden maintenance, documentation, and site operations develops critical thinking, technology, and organizational skills.
• Working with diverse visitors and community members promotes equity and inclusion while encouraging career and professional growth through experiential learning.

The intern helps connect visitors with Penn State research and sustainability initiatives while supporting the University’s land‑grant mission through accessible, community‑centered educational experiences. The internship aligns with Penn State Outreach’s strategic priorities of enhancing student success and increasing land‑grant impact by providing hands‑on learning opportunities, environmental stewardship skills, and professional communication experience.

As part of this position, students are expected to participate in Penn State Outreach’s experiential learning framework, completing brief pre‑ and post‑assessments and self‑reflections aligned with the NACE Career Readiness Competencies. Students will enroll in and complete the UpSkill Penn State, a free, non‑credit, 8‑week Canvas mini‑course designed to support learning, reflection, and professional growth.

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 qualified 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 814‑865‑1473.