Blue Crew Gameday Recycling Ambassadors

The Pennsylvania State University; Ferguson Township (PA); On-site; USD 18,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking students for the 2026 Blue Crew sponsored by PepsiCo to promote recycling and enhance the fan experience at football tailgates and other events. Up to 20 Tailgate Ambassadors will be hired for on‑site work, with paid training provided.

Shifts run during home games and select spring events, with responsibilities at the booth or in tailgate areas. Ambassadors will engage fans, answer questions, promote sustainable behavior, take photos, and create

Qualifications

• Must be a current Penn State student.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Availability for up to four hours per home game day.

Responsibilities

• Work at least five home games for the fall 2026 season, the 2027 Blue and White game, and from one event per month to two events per week during the spring semester.
• Receive training
• Assist fans with various gameday questions
• Assist with setup and teardown of Blue Crew booth/table
• Staff the Blue Crew booth/table
• Facilitate interactive activities in the booth/table
• Walk around tailgate lots interacting with fans about recycling
• Nominate tailgates for "Pepsi's Recycling Tailgate of the Game" award
• Potentially take photographs and create social media materials
• Staff waste stations at sporting events during the spring semester
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Strong communication

Teamwork

Education

Penn State student

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Are you passionate about recycling or the environment? Do you enjoy talking with people about recycling or about what actions they can take to improve the environment?

Penn State Sustainability's Sustainable Operations team is seeking students for the 2026 Blue Crew sponsored by PepsiCo (formerly known as Tailgate Ambassadors).

To promote sustainability and improve the fan experience in our tailgating lots on game days, and at basketball, hockey and/or wrestling events, we are seeking to employ up to 20 Tailgate Ambassadors.

Training and resources will be provided.

The Blue Crew can expect to work at least four hours every home football game day.

Exact times may be dependent on the kickoff time, and shifts will finish at least 30 minutes before kickoff.

There will be two roles available every home football game day: tailgate lots and the Blue Crew booth sponsored by Pepsi.

Blue Crew staff will engage with fans at the booth and/or in the tailgate fields and engage with volunteers helping Blue Crew efforts on game days.

At the booth, engagements will include activities such as:

• Engaging with fans, answering questions and promoting a welcoming Penn State environment
• Promoting sustainability‑related behavior through games and interactive activities
• Taking pictures and creating social media materials to market the activities

In the tailgate fields, the Blue Crew will be:

• Engaging directly with fans at their tailgates to answer questions and discuss recycling practices
• Taking pictures and creating social media materials to market the activities
• Nominating potential winners of the Recycling Tailgate of the Game award

In the spring semester, the Blue Crew can expect to work at least four hours at home basketball, hockey, and/or wrestling events.

There will be two roles available:

• staffing waste stations to engage and educate fans about proper disposal of waste and recycling;
• staffing an informational table.

At the table, engagements will include activities such as:

• Engaging with fans, answering questions and promoting a welcoming Penn State environment
• Promoting sustainability‑related behavior through games and interactive activities
• Taking pictures and creating social media materials to market the activities

Responsibilities

• Work at least five home games for the fall 2026 season, the 2027 Blue and White game, and from one event per month to two events per week during the spring semester.
• Receive training
• Assist fans with various gameday questions
• Assist with setup and teardown of Blue Crew booth/table
• Staff the Blue Crew booth/table
• Facilitate interactive activities in the booth/table
• Walk around tailgate lots interacting with fans about recycling
• Nominate tailgates for "Pepsi's Recycling Tailgate of the Game" award
• Potentially take photographs and create social media materials
• Staff waste stations at sporting events during the spring semester
• Other duties as assigned

Salary $16/hour

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Must be a current Penn State Student

Preferences

Open to all majors and degree programs.

Ideal candidates must be comfortable engaging with people and working as part of a high‑performance team.

This is an in‑person job.

Candidates should plan to be available for entire program duration, but candidates only available for Fall of 2026 will still be considered.

Priority will be given to work study students.

Program operation dates are between September 2026 and The Blue and White Game during Spring 2027, with strong preference for those available for Spring 2026 Blue and White game.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

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

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. 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 university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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