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Resource Recovery– Office of Sustainability  

Texas State University’s Office of Sustainability is seeking a Resource Recovery Intern for the 2026–2027 academic year to support our mission of advancing sustainability across campus through education, engagement, and collaborative programming.  

Position Overview  

The Resource Recovery Intern will support campus-wide efforts to reduce waste, strengthen the circular economy, and increase recycling and reuse at Texas State. This role focuses on coordinating and enhancing programs that keep materials in use longer, divert items from the landfill, and educate the campus community about the importance of waste reduction and responsible resource management. 

Working closely with the Office of Sustainability and campus partners, the intern will help plan, implement, and refine resource recovery initiatives such as Open Closet, the textile recovery and recycling program, Bobcats Give Back, and campus litter prevention, recycling, and composting efforts. The position offers hands-on, professional experience in zero-waste strategies, program coordination, and behavior-change education within a large university setting.  

This is a paid, part-time, academic-year internship requiring 12–15 hours per week during the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters, with the potential to continue annually until graduation for interns in good standing.  

Start date: August 10, 2026  

End date: May 28, 2027 (with potential continuation)  

Schedule: 12–15 hours per week; some evening and event-based hours required. Required to work 2–3 Saturdays over the entire internship term for major events and outreach activities.  

Key Responsibilities:  

  • Coordinate and support resource recovery initiatives including Open Closet (the textile recovery and recycling program), Bobcats Give Back (the move-out donation drive), and other donation and reuse efforts, as well as My TXST, My Home (litter pick-up and prevention) programming. 
  • Assist with planning, logistics, setup, and breakdown for waste reduction, reuse, litter prevention, and other sustainability events across campus. 
  • Help monitor and improve recycling and composting systems in campus buildings and at events, including signage, bin placement, and basic contamination checks. 
  • Develop and share educational materials and outreach messages that promote waste reduction, reuse, composting, and recycling to students, faculty, and staff. 
  • Collect, track, and summarize basic metrics (such as materials diverted, participation numbers, and event outcomes) to inform program improvements. 
  • Collaborate with student organizations, campus departments, and facility partners to expand reuse and recycling opportunities. 
  • Serve as a visible ambassador for resource recovery by modeling sustainable practices and providing accurate information about waste reduction and recycling options on campus. 

Minimum Qualifications  

  • Currently enrolled Texas State University undergraduate student in good academic standing, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and a minimum class standing of sophomore. 
  • Ability to commit 12–15 hours per week from early August 2026 through late May 2027, including 2–3 Saturdays across the year for major events.  
  • Degree program that is related or adjacent to sustainability (for example: Geography, Environmental Studies, Environmental Engineering, Biology, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Business, Communication, or related disciplines); strong interest in sustainability is required even if major is not directly environmental.  
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with comfort engaging peers, faculty, staff, and visitors in one-on-one and group settings.  
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a diverse, team-oriented environment, managing multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.  
  • Willingness to work occasional evenings and required Saturdays for events, with reliability and professionalism in attendance and follow-through.  

Preferred Qualifications  

  • Prior experience with event planning, student organization involvement, peer education, community engagement, or customer service.  
  • Demonstrated interest in or involvement with sustainability-focused activities, courses, clubs, or personal practices.  
  • Experience with one or more of the following: public speaking or facilitation, social media outreach, graphic design, videography or photography, or developing educational content.  
  • Familiarity with Texas State campus resources and student life.