Sustainability Fellow

CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS

Sustainability Fellow at UC Riverside, Office of Sustainability

Location: Riverside, California

Number of Positions Available: 6

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 9AM - 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

The University of California, Riverside, with over 26,000 enrolled students and more than 4,500 staff and faculty, offers fellows a rich environment of cultural and perspective diversity. Through the Office of Sustainability's program, fellows will gain valuable skills in project planning and implementation, communication, volunteer management, marketing and media creation, and coordination and networking with multiple partner organizations. Fellows will be guided by a dedicated site supervisor and mentor who will provide support, share career and educational advancement opportunities, and connect fellows with valuable resources such as the UC Learning Center. Additionally, collaborating with a variety of environmental organizations on campus and within the local community will offer fellows invaluable networking opportunities. These connections will allow them to explore diverse approaches to climate action and gain insights into various career paths in the field. 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 University of California, Riverside Office of Sustainability is seeking Sustainability Fellows to advance campus and community climate resilience through urban greening, organic waste diversion, edible food recovery, and volunteer mobilization. Across 6 positions embedded within the Office of Sustainability, Fellows will support interconnected focus areas including food recovery and composting operations, tree care and native plant expansion, climate education and outreach, large-scale volunteer event coordination, and cross-campus partnership development. Fellows will engage students and community members in hands-on climate action by organizing volunteer opportunities, supporting gleaning and food redistribution efforts, establishing composting systems, starting tree seedlings, stewarding native pollinator habitats, and assisting with campuswide Earth Month and sustainability events. In collaboration with campus departments and community partners—including R’Garden, UCR Basic Needs, Housing & Dining, TreePeople, Inland Harvest, and the City of Riverside—Fellows will help expand climate-conscious behaviors and measurable climate solutions that strengthen urban ecosystems, reduce landfill waste, and increase community engagement in nature-based climate action. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Mobilize and coordinate student and community volunteers for native tree and plant installations, tree seedling propagation, gleaning projects, composting initiatives, and edible food recovery efforts
• Support campus food recovery and organic waste diversion systems through food collection, redistribution, compost operations, waste audits, and volunteer engagement
• Plan and execute climate action workshops, volunteer trainings, tabling events, and large-scale campus events—including Earth Month programming—that connect participants to urban greening, composting, wildfire resiliency, and food recovery initiatives
• Strengthen partnerships with campus departments, local governments, nonprofits, and community organizations to expand volunteer opportunities, climate education, and nature-based climate solutions across the Riverside region
• Develop outreach materials, digital campaigns, and educational content that promote climate resilience, native plant and tree stewardship, carbon sequestration, and composting
• Coordinate cross-campus climate engagement efforts by supporting event logistics, volunteer communications, data tracking, and collaborative programming that advance UCR’s Climate Action & Adaptation goals
• 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, environmental education, environmental justice/equity, GIS/mapping, Google suite, graphic design, home hardening/defensible space, marketing & social media, Microsoft Office Suite & Teams, multi-stakeholder collaboration, project management, public speaking/facilitation, and volunteer management & engagement. Must possess a valid driver’s license. 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 UC Riverside Office of Sustainability:

The UC Riverside Office of Sustainability addresses 3 key tenets: Economic Sustainability: Making decisions that foster secure livelihoods, educate, promote social justice, and create a better world for present and future generations. Academic and Policy Integration: Advancing ecological health through research and investments that explore the connections between the economy, social well-being, and the environment—while considering historical legacies, present challenges, and future needs. Environmental Justice: Committing to addressing environmental racism, promoting equity, and ensuring transparency and democratic participation in institutions responsible for balancing the costs and benefits of environmental decisions. More info: sustainability.ucr.edu

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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.