Sustainability Experience Center Intern

Penn State University • University Park, IL

5d • 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, an 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 focuses on supporting educational tours and visitor engagement, while also assisting with 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 at the end of the Fall term, 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.
• May require the ability to work in an outdoor environment in adverse weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
• Basic proficiency in Excel or similar data tracking tools.
• Must participate in Penn State Outreach’s experiential learning framework, including pre- and post-assessments and self-reflections aligned with NACE Career Readiness Competencies.
• Must enroll in and complete UpSkill Penn State, a free, non-credit, 8-week Canvas mini-course.
• Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s).

Responsibilities

• Lead engaging and educational tours for visitors.
• Support public programming, including workshops, volunteer events, and other visitor experiences.
• Assist with general site operations, such as basic data tracking, garden and plant documentation, and preparation for programming and tours.
• Support the maintenance of the SEC’s pollinator garden and vegetable plots, including planting, weeding, harvesting, and general upkeep.

Benefits

• Experiential learning opportunities
• Hands-on experience in garden maintenance and ecological land stewardship
• Exposure to sustainability systems (food, water, energy, land use)
• Basic skills in garden documentation, plant monitoring, and educational programming support
• Development of confidence working independently and as part of a team
• Development of communication, leadership, teamwork, and professionalism skills
• Development of critical thinking, technology, and organizational skills
• Promotion of equity and inclusion
• Career and professional growth through experiential learning

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed