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CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS

Zero Waste Fellow at City of Berkeley

Location: Berkeley, California

Number of Positions Available: 2

Time Commitment: September 21, 2026 - August 13, 2027

This is a full-time, 11-month, 1700-hour program from September 21, 2026 - August 13, 2027. Fellows in this position commit to a 40-hour work week, Monday - Friday, approximately 8AM - 5PM, with occasional evening and weekend commitments based on project needs. 170-340 of these hours are dedicated to professional development. This is a hybrid position, onsite 4 days per week.

**Please note: Due to the full-time commitment of the Fellowship, students enrolled in undergraduate courses between Sep 21, 2026 - Aug 13, 2027 will not be eligible to participate in the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship.

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About the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship

The California Climate Action Corps has over 400 positions available across California for the 2026-27 CCAC Fellowship. This is a climate-focused, workforce development program for emerging climate and environmental leaders. These are paid, full-time fellowships—similar to internships—with 170-340 dedicated hours for professional development and training, providing hands-on experience in the climate field.

CCAC Fellows are matched with organizations across California to mobilize communities to take direct climate action and lead projects focused on wildfire resiliency, urban greening, and organic waste diversion.

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Applications are accepted May 1 - July 31, 2026, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 19.

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Program Benefits

The City of Berkeley offers hands-on experience advancing climate action and resilience in a community recognized for environmental leadership and bold climate policy. Fellows gain direct exposure to municipal sustainability initiatives and contribute to efforts spanning zero waste, energy, transportation, public health, and economic development. Fellows receive ongoing professional development through mentorship, shadowing opportunities, guest speakers, and cross-departmental engagement. Additional opportunities include attending conferences such as the NCRA Recycling Update Conference and the Bioneers Conference, participating in regional and national sustainability working groups, and joining monthly networking gatherings with Sustainability staff. Other benefits include:

  • Receive a $35,250 stipend (before taxes) distributed evenly over the 11-month service term
  • Receive $10,000 in education awards (before taxes and upon completion of 1700 hours)
  • Participation in 170-340 hours of training and professional development
  • Receive $300 in professional development funds
  • Receive food assistance via CalFresh (for those eligible)
  • Forbearance on existing qualifying student loans and interest payments accrued during the service term
  • Minimum essential healthcare coverage
  • Childcare assistance (for those eligible)

Description of Duties

The City of Berkeley is advancing its commitment to reducing food waste, increasing edible food recovery, and strengthening climate resilience. As a Zero Waste Fellow, you will support the City’s Zero Waste and community outreach initiatives by mobilizing volunteers to expand food rescue and organic waste diversion, strengthen partnerships, and advance sustainable food recovery systems through the Ambassador Program. Fellows will recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers to support food recovery operations; improve restaurant composting and food rescue participation; distribute compost pails; assist with pantry sorting and redistribution; and host volunteer-led climate action events. These efforts will directly increase pounds of edible food recovered, organic waste diverted from landfill, and associated GHG reductions. Fellows will cultivate relationships with local food generators, onboard new donors, establish and expand pickup routes, increase recovery frequency through Careit and Too Good To Go, and capture surplus food from events, farmers’ markets, and City facilities. In partnership with Berkeley Food Network, Berkeley Basic Needs Center, and Dorothy Day House, Fellows will expand participation in Berkeley’s food recovery network to ensure recovered food reaches residents experiencing food insecurity while reducing organic waste in landfills. The role also includes developing and facilitating workshops, tabling events, and presentations on food waste reduction, edible food recovery requirements, composting participation, and food rescue platforms—clearly connecting these efforts to measurable climate solutions. Through volunteer mobilization and the expansion of zero-waste systems, Fellows will translate outreach into direct climate action and quantifiable climate impact for the City of Berkeley. Duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Conduct direct outreach to restaurants to facilitate partnerships with food recovery organizations, improve composting participation, and increase edible food recovery
  • Strengthen partnerships with community-based organizations to expand food donation pathways, support pantry sorting and redistribution, and divert organic matter from landfills
  • Recruit, train, and mobilize volunteers through the Ambassador Program to participate in food recovery operations, compost pail distribution, and surplus food capture with partners such as Berkeley Food Network, Dorothy Day House, and UC Berkeley Basic Needs Center
  • Engage businesses and city facilities on SB 1383 compliance, with a focus on organic waste diversion, edible food recovery requirements, and contamination reduction
  • Lead outreach and engagement efforts at community events, farmers’ markets, and festivals to deliver education on food waste reduction strategies, leftover repurposing, compost participation tools, and the connection between zero-waste systems and measurable climate impact
  • Track program data and analyze results to quantify climate impact

Minimum Program Eligibility Requirements

  • Live in California by August 14, 2026
  • Be at least 18 years of age by August 14, 2026
  • Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Must be a US Citizen, US National, or lawful US resident to participate

Preferred Qualifications/Skills

Ability to lift up to 30 lbs, and experience in community outreach, data/quantitative analysis, edible food recovery, engaging with K-12 students, environmental education, environmental justice/equity, event coordination & planning, GIS/mapping, Google suite, graphic design, marketing & social media, Microsoft Office Suite & Teams, multi-stakeholder collaboration, project management, public speaking/facilitation, technical writing, and volunteer management & engagement. Fluency in Spanish is a plus. Other valuable contributions include:

  • An interest in climate change mitigation, volunteerism, or public service
  • Experience with outreach, education, training, or community behavior change
  • Fundamental understanding of climate change science, environmental policies in California, and/or environmental priorities
  • Excellent organizational, writing, interpersonal, and speaking skills

About The City of Berkeley

The City of Berkeley offers a unique opportunity to join a dynamic team to address pressing climate and community challenges. As a Zero Waste Fellow, you will provide outreach and education to restaurants, community-based organizations, and residents to increase mandatory composting, food donation, and food recovery operations. The City of Berkeley is committed to serving its community while promoting a diverse, accessible, affordable, equitable, safe, healthy, environmentally sound, and culturally rich city. With a rich history of environmental leadership—including pioneering recycling programs and ambitious climate goals—Berkeley continues to innovate and embrace democratic participation in local decision-making. More info: berkeleyca.gov

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Apply Today!

Applications are accepted May 1 - July 31, 2026, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 19. Interviews will take place May-Aug, with all positions filled by September 4, 2026. This is a competitive program, and interviews are not guaranteed. CCAC is an equal opportunity Fellowship with a preference for candidates already living in the communities they will serve. Applicants can select up to 5 preferred positions within the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship application.