Sustainability Experience Center Intern

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

The Sustainability Experience Center is a nine-acre property on the eastern edge of Penn States University Park campus which acts as a living laboratory for students faculty and the community. Hosting a wide range of indoor and outdoor classrooms for hands-on learning the SEC is home to the MorningStar solar home the Eco-Machine ecological wastewater system a community garden experimental forests and multiple ongoing research projects. It also offers an ideal setting for exploring food energy water land and community systems.

Were looking for an intern to support educational tours and visitor engagement while helping steward the propertys pollinator garden and vegetable plots to maintain a welcoming functional space for all visitors.

Ideally will start in mid-August and run through the Fall term (ending around Thanksgiving).

Key roles and responsibilities:

• Leads engaging and educational tours for visitors and supports 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
• Support maintenance of the SECs pollinator garden and vegetable plots including planting weeding harvesting and general upkeep to help maintain an inviting and functional learning environment

Preferred Skills and Competencies:

• 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

What the Intern will Gain:

• Experience leading sustainability-focused tours and supporting engagement initiatives
• Hands-on experience in pollinator garden maintenance and ecological land stewardship
• Exposure to sustainability systems including food water energy and land use at the SEC
• Basic skills in garden documentation plant monitoring and educational programming support
• Confidence working independently and as part of a small collaborative team
• This internship develops several NACE competencies through hands-on sustainability work public engagement and site stewardship
• Leading tours and educational programming strengthens communication leadership teamwork and professionalism
• Supporting garden maintenance documentation and site operations develops critical thinking technology and organizational skills
• Working with diverse visitors and community members also promotes equity and inclusion while encouraging career and professional growth through experiential learning.

Support of Outreachs Priorities:The intern helps connect visitors with Penn State research and sustainability initiatives while supporting the Universitys land-grant mission through accessible community-centered educational experiences. The internship aligns with Penn State Outreachs strategic priorities of enhancing student success and increasing land-grant impact by providing hands-on learning opportunities environmental stewardship skills and professional communication experience. Through maintaining the SEC as an active living laboratory the intern contributes to Penn States broader goals of building resilient sustainable communities and expanding public engagement with sustainability initiatives.

As part of this position students are expected to participate in Penn State Outreachs experiential learning framework. This includes completing brief pre- and post-assessments and self-reflections aligned with theNACE Career Readiness Competencies a nationally recognized set of skills associated with career readiness. Students will enroll in and completeUpSkill Penn State a free non-credit 8-week Canvas mini-course designed to support learning reflection and professional growth. The course is completed once; however students may be asked to reflect on skill development throughout their participation in Outreach-led or Outreach-based programs and events.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity respect and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the universitys teaching research and service mission.

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