Sustainable Housing Intern

Position Title: Sustainable Housing Intern  

Department / Office: IU Sustainability  

Hourly Wage: $13 for undergraduate students; $15 for graduate students   

Average Hours / Week: 10-20 hours  

About IU Office of Sustainability (IU Sustainability) 

IU Sustainability is committed to creating a culture of sustainability and advancing sustainability across all campuses of Indiana University. Our vision is to be recognized as a national leader in sustainability while supporting student success and the well-being of citizens of communities near the university’s campuses, the state of Indiana, and beyond. By utilizing our campuses as test beds for sustainability, we are establishing innovative solutions in our own community and developing bold solutions for the classroom, the campus, and host communities through diverse partnerships. 

Position Summary  

The Sustainable Housing Intern will be responsible for creating a culture of sustainability in all IU Indianapolis residence halls. They will work with IU Sustainability staff and the RHA VP of Sustainability to engage on-campus residents in sustainability programming, primarily the Residential Compost Program (RCP). This intern will be responsible for coordinating communication, collection, and transportation of compost to all pickup locations. Additionally, they will aid in the promotion of campus sustainability initiatives and events, such as the annual Spring Stuff Swap.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities  

Operational Duties (70%) 

Work with IU Sustainability to coordinate the RCP at Ball Hall, North Hall, University Tower, and Riverwalk Apartments 

Transport compost liners from each trash room to the outside toters  

Ensure that compost bins in each trash room are kept clean and liners are replaced  

Assist residents with getting new compost liners and other needed materials  

Communication and Outreach Duties (20%)  

Coordinate communication with RCP with on-campus residents  

Disseminate sustainability information to all residents via email and flyers  

Assist IU Sustainability in promoting campus sustainability programming to on-campus residents  

Inform IU Sustainability of any questions or concerns regarding the RCP 

Other (10%) 

Assist with STARS reporting for relevant categories 

Seek funding and support for sustainable housing initiatives, as well as funding to attend student conferences and other professional development opportunities 

Attend professional development opportunities 

Present at conferences (i.e. AASHE, ISRC) 

Assist with other sustainability needs when available 

Note: A graduate student intern will be expected to take on additional duties that align with the evolving needs of the Office of Sustainability. These responsibilities will be assigned based on the student’s skills, interests, and the department’s priorities.  

Eligibility and Requirements  

Required Qualifications 

IU undergraduate and graduate students; must maintain student status for the duration of the internship 

Have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater 

Must be reliable and possess strong organizational skills 

Strong desire and ability to learn 

Preferred Qualifications 

Familiarity in principles of sustainability, arboriculture, and/or sustainable landscape practices 

Experience with MS Office applications, specifically Excel, Access, and Word  

Strong writing and communication skills  

Tools and Equipment Used  

Laptop computer and cellphone are required. Occasional printer use.   

Physical Demands  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, including up and down stairs; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and or move up to 30 pounds. The employee is occasionally required to sit, talk, and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision in the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

Work Environment  

The work is primarily performed at Ball Hall, North Hall, University Tower, and Riverwalk Apartments. This student employee will be required to spend a small portion of their time outdoors, thus there is exposure to the elements of nature (heat/sun, rain/chill). The noise level in the work environment is moderate.   

Characteristics of a Strong Candidate/Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities  

The following are essential for this position: initiative, self-motivated, attention to detail, highly organized, team-player, interest and knowledge of sustainability, professionalism, comfort working with people of diverse background and thought, natural ease in new situations, willingness to learn, and a commitment to developing positive and trusting relationships.  .  

Application   

To apply, upload the following:   

Resume   

A brief, written response to the following questions: 

(1) Why is sustainability important to you? 

(2) Why is a residential composting program important for the IU Indianapolis campus? 

(3) What do you hope to learn as a result of this experience?  

(4) How will this internship help you move forward in your academic or professional career?