Sustainability Experience Center Intern

The Pennsylvania State University • University Park, FL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Sustainability Experience Center (SEC) is a nine-acre property on the eastern edge of Penn State’s University Park campus, serving as a living laboratory for students, faculty, and the community. It features indoor and outdoor classrooms for hands-on learning, including the MorningStar solar home, the Eco-Machine ecological wastewater system, a community garden, experimental forests, and various research projects. The SEC provides an ideal setting for exploring food, energy, water, land, and community systems. This internship supports educational tours and visitor engagement, while also contributing to the stewardship of the property's pollinator garden and vegetable plots to ensure a welcoming and functional space for all visitors. The internship is expected to begin in mid-August and conclude around Thanksgiving.

Requirements

• Interest in sustainability, environmental education, gardening, and ecological stewardship.
• Comfort with public speaking and engaging diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in outdoor settings.
• Basic proficiency in Excel or similar data tracking tools.

Nice To Haves

• May require the ability to work in an outdoor environment in adverse weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.

Responsibilities

• Leads engaging and educational tours for visitors and supports public programming, including workshops, volunteer events, and other visitor experiences.
• Supports general site operations, including basic data tracking, garden and plant documentation, and preparation for programming and tours.
• Supports maintenance of the SEC’s pollinator garden and vegetable plots, including planting, weeding, harvesting, and general upkeep to help maintain an inviting and functional learning environment.

Benefits

• Students will enroll in and complete UpSkill Penn State, a free, non-credit, 8-week Canvas mini-course designed to support learning, reflection, and professional growth.
• Students are expected to participate in Penn State Outreach’s experiential learning framework, including completing brief pre- and post-assessments and self-reflections aligned with the NACE Career Readiness Competencies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed