Climate Action Fellow

CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS

Climate Action Fellow at Pomona College

Location: Claremont, California

Number of Positions Available: 3

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. 

**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

Fellows will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with Pomona College’s student EcoReps and receive mentoring and professional development from experienced sustainability staff while serving on high-impact, real-world climate projects. Additional benefits may include meal, transportation, and housing support coordinated through campus partners, along with access to a collaborative, mission-driven campus community. 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

Pomona College has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, including achieving carbon neutrality and zero waste by 2030. Yet in 2025, the College diverted only 51% of its waste from landfills and hosted no major zero-waste events, highlighting a clear opportunity for action. Climate Action Fellows will lead hands-on climate work focused on waste reduction and diversion, with an emphasis on strengthening and expanding the campus organic waste system. Using the campus as a living laboratory, fellows will collect and analyze data, pilot operational solutions, and drive behavior change. Responsibilities include conducting waste audits, expanding composting and food recovery programs, coordinating climate volunteer events, and delivering climate education. Fellows will gain access to institutional data and professional mentoring while helping to develop scalable climate solutions that can inform peer colleges, communities, and beyond. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Recruit, train, and mobilize volunteers to advance hands-on climate action initiatives, including conducting waste audits, strengthening compost collection, expanding on-campus composting infrastructure, improving edible food recovery efforts, and facilitating zero-waste events
• Coordinate, support, and expand volunteer engagement in edible food recovery programs at dining venues and campus events
• Lead waste audits and analyze hauling, sorting, and diversion data to establish baselines and track progress toward Pomona College’s zero-waste and climate goals
• Analyze dining data and collaborate with campus partners to identify strategic opportunities to reduce organic waste and maximize diversion rates
• Deliver climate education through structured workshops, outreach events, and peer-to-peer engagement that promote organic waste reduction and proper sorting
• 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, composting, data/quantitative analysis, edible food recovery, environmental education, environmental justice/equity, event coordination & planning, Google suite, graphic design, marketing & social media, Microsoft Office Suite and Teams, multi-stakeholder collaboration, project management, public speaking/facilitation, 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 Pomona College:

The Pomona College Sustainability Office advances the College’s commitment to environmental stewardship, climate action, and social responsibility. The office leads efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve Pomona’s 2030 carbon neutrality goal by using the campus as a living laboratory to demonstrate real-world climate impact. They integrate sustainability into operations, academics, and community engagement, with access to institutional data and professional mentoring. Central to the mission is educating and empowering the next generation of environmental leaders through hands-on climate action. More info: www.pomona.edu/administration/sustainability

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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.