Sustainability Experience Center Intern

Penn State University • University Park, IL

2d • 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 that serves as a living laboratory for students, faculty, and the community. It features indoor and outdoor classrooms, the MorningStar solar home, the Eco-Machine ecological wastewater system, a community garden, experimental forests, and ongoing research projects focused on food, energy, water, land, and community systems.

The intern supports educational tours and visitor engagement and helps steward the property’s pollinator garden and vegetable plots. The role also supports site operations and public programming, helping maintain a welcoming and functional learning environment. The position is ideally expected to start in March 2027 and continue through the end of June 2027.

Students participate in Penn State Outreach’s experiential learning framework, including brief pre- and post-assessments, self-reflections aligned with NACE Career Readiness Competencies, and completion of UpSkill Penn State, a free, non-credit, eight-week Canvas mini-course.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• Ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold, may be required.

Responsibilities

• Lead engaging and educational tours for visitors.
• Support public programming, including workshops, volunteer events, and other visitor experiences.
• Support general site operations, including basic data tracking, garden and plant documentation, and preparation for programming and tours.
• Help maintain the pollinator garden and vegetable plots through planting, weeding, harvesting, and general upkeep.
• Participate in Outreach experiential learning activities, including assessments, self-reflections, and the UpSkill Penn State mini-course.

What This Job Offers

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