Energy Program Intern (UF/IFAS Extension)

Board of County Commissioners•Sarasota, FL

13d•Onsite

About The Position

This internship is a unique opportunity for an inquisitive, self-motivated, and creative individual to make a positive impact on Sarasota County. Sarasota County Government is seeking an intern in the UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability Department. The Energy Program Intern will implement a grant-funded education and outreach program aimed at achieving cost savings through energy and water conservation in the built environment. Resident, staff and volunteer training and engagement, partnership development, and program recruitment will be involved to maximize the impact of the program on building efficiency and housing affordability. The program ultimately aims to reduce utility bills for low-income residents through efficiency improvements, rebates, and education.

Requirements

Ages 16-17 with parental consent, or 18 and above.
Eligible to work in the United States – we love local, national, and international students!
Active, enrolled student.
Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of five (5) years.
Fingerprint Screening Requirement: This position requires a fingerprint-based background check, as required by law. The screening reviews criminal history and other legally permitted information. Applicants who do not meet the screening requirements will not be eligible for employment.

Nice To Haves

Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Environmental Education, Biology, Soil and Water Sciences, Communications, or a related field.
Coursework or experience in both environmental topics and communications is a plus.
Bilingual skills are a plus and highly valued.
Interest or experience in sustainability, environmental education, communications, marketing, or related areas, with exposure to research, content creation, writing, or multimedia projects.
Comfortable speaking with and presenting to groups, with the ability to help create and deliver educational content in both in-person and virtual settings.
Strong organizational, communication, and customer service skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, analyze information, and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

Help create fun, engaging educational content for the Energy Upgrade program, including lesson plans, presentations, videos, fact sheets, blogs, and interactive learning tools.
Support and deliver sustainability programs focused on water and energy conservation, especially for underserved communities, through workshops, events, webinars, outreach tables, and trainings.
Assist with marketing and community outreach by creating flyers, social media content, newsletters, emails, and other materials that help promote programs and share success stories.
Build relationships with community partners, volunteers, residents, and stakeholders while helping answer questions and connect people with valuable sustainability resources.
Support program operations through research, data entry, reporting, survey analysis, and tracking program success metrics to help identify areas for growth and improvement.
Gain hands-on experience with grant-related work, including application processing, reporting, budget support, and maintaining important program records and documentation.
Help plan and coordinate meetings, events, and projects by preparing agendas, organizing logistics, and contributing ideas to improve processes and program effectiveness.