Sustainability Experience Center Intern

The Pennsylvania State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 16,531 - 24,796; Part time

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University’s Sustainability Experience Center seeks an intern to support educational tours, engage visitors, and steward the pollinator garden and vegetable plots. The role focuses on hands-on learning in a living laboratory on campus, with opportunities to contribute to community education and sustainability initiatives.

You will lead tours, assist with data tracking, garden documentation, and program preparation, while developing communication and teamwork skills in a

Qualifications

• Interest in sustainability and environmental education.
• Comfort with public speaking and engaging diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently and outdoors in variable weather.
• Basic data tracking or record keeping.

Responsibilities

• Lead educational tours for visitors and support public programming.
• Assist with garden maintenance and documenting plants.
• Help prepare for tours and manage data tracking tasks.

Skills

Public speaking

Outdoor work

Garden basics

Tools

Excel

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

The Sustainability Experience Center is a nine-acre property on the eastern edge of Penn State's 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.

We're looking for an intern to support educational tours and visitor engagement while helping steward the property's 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 SEC’s 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

Internship Benefits

• 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 Outreach's Priorities

The intern helps connect visitors with Penn State research and sustainability initiatives while supporting the University’s land‑grant mission through accessible, community‑centered educational experiences. The internship aligns with Penn State Outreach’s 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 State’s broader goals of building resilient, sustainable communities and expanding public engagement with sustainability initiatives.

EEO IS THE LAW

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.