2027 - Sustainability Program Intern (2 Positions)
NOTICE: Application closes on 11/16/2026 at 11:59PM.
The Wastewater Planning and Community Programs team provides coordinated planning for regional wastewater service with cities in the Twin Cities. This work includes wastewater system planning studies, development of regional policy, and implementation of plan review and permitting programs. This team also coordinates the sustainability reporting to the State Office of Enterprise Sustainability for Environmental Services (ES) operations, as well as development and implementation of energy programs.
The intern will be helping to develop with mentorship a solid waste tracking program through data collection. It is the intent to foster a holistic approach to utilize reporting to inform decision making and then coordinate implementation of best practices by establishing standards and/or guidelines to integrating into department workflows.
Other responsibilities include reviewing, monitoring, and maintaining the EnergyCap database, including billing abnormalities, processing errors, maintaining data and tracking energy management projects to measure and verify impact.
We will not review resumes, cover letters, or any additional documents that are not specifically requested as part of this application.
This recruitment will establish a six (6) month Eligibility List for current and potential vacancies.
Internship Information:
- Length: Summer, may be extended past August
- Hours: Full-time summer and Part-time during school year
- Start Date: 05/17/2027
- Location: Saint Paul, MN
NOTE: This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement.
What does an internship with the Metropolitan Council entail?
Our internships are designed to provide students meaningful work, be an introduction to public service and a chance to discover the Metropolitan Council.
Who is the Metropolitan Council?
The Metropolitan Council is made up of several operating divisions that service the Twin Cities Metropolitan area in a number of ways.
- Community Development is responsible for helping the Council shape its regional growth plan and Metro HRA provides affordable housing programs in the region
- Environmental Services manages wastewater treatment plants and the regional wastewater collection system for the seven-county metropolitan region
- Metro Transit provides bus and light rail public transportation for the greater metropolitan area
- Metropolitan Transportation Services (MTS) is responsible for the transportation planning functions as the Twin Cities metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for transportation
- Regional Administration provides support services (Finance, Payroll, Human Resources, etc.) for the Council
What you would do in this job:
- Utility Bill Audit and Service Evaluation
- Perform utility bill audits to review rates and itemized expenses
- Inventory of waste
- Where and how are waste streams generated (process flow map)
- Where and how is waste collected (facility map)
- What are the challenges of this facility or waste stream
- Baseline and Benchmark
- Create inventory of solid waste streams in Environmental Services (ES)
- Track poor performing facilities based on contamination fees and incorporate into education resources
Survey and Information Gather
- Track poor performing facilities based on contamination fees and incorporate into education resources
- Coordinate waste audits to measure and quantify waste streams
- Coordinate water audits to measure and quantify opportunities for conservation (facilities) and reuse (process)
- Create inventory of solid waste streams in Environmental Services (ES)
- Waste Education for Continuous Improvement
- Establish an implementation schedule to reduce waste
- ES Update – The Wire newsletter
- Lunch and Learns
- Signage at receptacles and news board
- Coordinate implementation support with facilities and third-party consultants
- Report on solid waste to OES
- Establish an implementation schedule to reduce waste
- Energy Cap
- Liaison between Environmental Services and public utility providers for electricity, natural gas,
community solar gardens and municipal storm and water - Review and correct flagged abnormalities of spend /use
- Upload new / missing bill statements into ECAP for timely processing of utility bills
- Review and reconcile community solar garden use (kWh) and credits ($) monthly
- Interval Data interconnection and analysis
- Tracking cost avoidance and reporting impact of energy projects
- Liaison between Environmental Services and public utility providers for electricity, natural gas,
What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications):
- Must be enrolled in an accredited institution, a degree seeking program (Associate, Bachelor, Master, or Doctorate), OR be a recent graduate (within 12 months from posting date) from a degree program.
- Candidate's residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin during the internship.
- An UNOFFICIAL transcript is required to be attached to application.
- Valid MN/WI driver's license.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to work in database systems, data analysis, and mathematical aptitude
- Ability to communicate with people in a variety of roles, including wastewater operators as well as planners and policy makers
- Demonstrated understanding of topics related to sustainability, including solid waste management, greenhouse gas mitigation, and energy efficiency
DEGREE PROGRAM/AREA OF STUDY PREFERRED
- Environmental studies, environmental science, engineering, and sustainability studies
What you can expect from us:
- We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
- We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.
More about why you should join us!
Additional information:
Union: Non-Rep
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
What steps the recruitment process involves:
- We review your minimum qualifications.
- We rate your education and experience.
- We conduct a structured panel interview.
Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:
- If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.
- If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.
IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.
The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.