Environmental Sustainability Intern (Tlingit & Haida) - Summer 2026
About The Position
Join Tlingit & Haida’s Environmental & Natural Resources Division this summer and contribute to sustainable waste reduction in Southeast Alaska! The Division is advancing a regional composting network to lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduce landfill dependence, and create nutrient-rich compost for local use. As an Environmental Sustainability Intern, you’ll work hands-on with staff to operate and enhance the Tribe’s internal composting program. Your work will include collecting organic waste from Tribal enterprises, loading and monitoring the in-vessel composting system, tracking data on compost volumes, and helping develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide daily operations. You’ll also prepare a detailed report summarizing the program’s results, including greenhouse gas reductions and cost savings from diverting waste away from landfill disposal. This position provides practical experience in sustainable operations, data collection, and environmental management while contributing directly to Tlingit & Haida’s climate action and stewardship goals.
Requirements
- Strong organizational, data collection, and recordkeeping skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet programs.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
- Interest in environmental science, composting, or sustainable resource management.
- Willingness to perform hands-on physical tasks such as lifting, loading, and sorting materials.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Must be a Sealaska shareholder, descendant of a shareholder, or spouse of a shareholder.
- Legally authorized to work in the United States.
- Must be 18 years old at time of hire
- Must be currently enrolled in post-secondary school/program or a recent graduate (1-2 years)
- Legally authorized to work in the United States
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with composting systems, recycling, or solid waste management.
- Experience developing written reports or technical procedures.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Minimum 2.5 GPA.
Responsibilities
- Collect and transport organic waste from Tlingit & Haida departments and enterprises.
- Operate and monitor the in-vessel composting system, including loading feedstock, recording temperatures, and maintaining system logs.
- Track and analyze data on compost input/output volumes and performance metrics.
- Assist in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for compost operations and organics pickup routes.
- Help draft a final report summarizing compost program outcomes, including estimated greenhouse gas reductions and cost savings.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized composting site.
- Collaborate with Environmental & Natural Resources Division staff to refine operations and document best practices.
- Support internal outreach and education efforts on sustainable waste management practices.
- Work outdoors in variable weather conditions and occasionally outside normal business hours, as needed.
Benefits
- Review the Benefits associated with this position: https://www.sealaska.com/benefits/
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
251-500 employees
