Sustainability Experience Center Intern

Penn State University; University Park (IL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

The Sustainability Experience Center at Penn State University Park invites an intern to support educational tours and visitor engagement while stewarding the pollinator garden and vegetable plots. The internship runs March through June 2027 and offers hands-on learning in sustainable gardening, public programming, and community outreach.

You will lead tours, assist with workshops, track basic data, document plants, and help prepare programs.

Qualifications

• Interest in sustainability, gardening, and ecological stewardship.
• Comfort with public speaking and engaging diverse audiences.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and independently.

Responsibilities

• Lead engaging tours for visitors and support public programming.
• Assist with garden maintenance and data tracking for programs.
• Prepare for tours and assist with workshops and events.

Skills

Public speaking

Education outreach

Gardening

Data tracking

Independent work

Education

Currently enrolled in a sustainability-related program

Tools

Excel

Job description

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

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 March 2027 and run through the end of June 2027.

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

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 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.

As part of this position, students are expected to participate in Penn State Outreach’s 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

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.

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.

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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