Eco-Sustainability Fellow

CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS

Eco-Sustainability Fellow at Los Angeles Unified School District

Location: Los Angeles, California

Number of Positions Available: 4

Time Commitment: September 21, 2026 - August 13, 2027

This is a full-time, 11-month, 1700-hour program from September 21, 2026 - August 13, 2027. Fellows in this position commit to a 40-hour work week, Monday - Friday, approximately 8:30AM - 5PM, with occasional evening and weekend commitments based on project needs. 170-340 of these hours are dedicated to professional development. 

**Please note: Due to the full-time commitment of the Fellowship, students enrolled in undergraduate courses between Sep 21, 2026 - Aug 13, 2027 will not be eligible to participate in the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship.

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About the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship

The California Climate Action Corps has over 400 positions available across California for the 2026-27 CCAC Fellowship. This is a climate-focused, workforce development program for emerging climate and environmental leaders. These are paid, full-time fellowships—similar to internships—with 170-340 dedicated hours for professional development and training, providing hands-on experience in the climate field.

CCAC Fellows are matched with organizations across California to mobilize communities to take direct climate action and lead projects focused on wildfire resiliency, urban greening, and organic waste diversion.

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Applications are accepted May 1 - July 31, 2026, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 19.

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Program Benefits

Fellows placed with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will gain hands-on experience advancing sustainability within the nation’s second-largest school district while contributing to a high-impact climate and environmental justice initiative. Placement offers meaningful professional growth, mentorship, and networking opportunities for individuals interested in public service, education, and climate action, including direct mentorship from the Eco-Sustainability Office staff, skill building in project management, volunteer coordination, data tracking and evaluation, public engagement, and experience in designing and implementing climate literacy and behavior change education for diverse audiences. Fellows placed with LAUSD will be joining a mission-driven organization committed to equity, sustainability, and student well-being in a public education environment. Other benefits include:

• Receive a $35,250 stipend (before taxes) distributed evenly over the 11-month service term
• Receive $10,000 in education awards (before taxes and upon completion of 1700 hours)
• Participation in 170-340 hours of training and professional development
• Receive $300 in professional development funds
• Receive food assistance via CalFresh (for those eligible)
• Forbearance on existing qualifying student loans and interest payments accrued during the service term
• Minimum essential healthcare coverage
• Childcare assistance (for those eligible)

Description of Duties

LAUSD seeks four Eco-Sustainability Fellows to support Sonia Sotomayor Arts and Sciences Magnet and John Marshall High School’s efforts to become models for sustainable, healthy, and climate-ready school communities. Fellows will be placed in teams of two. One team will collaborate closely with Sotomayor’s student-run urban farm, expanding hands-on composting systems and strengthening education to help students connect everyday consumption and waste-sorting practices to soil health and broader climate resilience. The second team will engage and re-wild Marshall High’s diverse and historic urban campus and surrounding neighborhood—advancing native habitat restoration and large-scale campus greening from the ground up. Both teams will have meaningful opportunities to cross-collaborate across campuses, bringing students together for shared learning, peer leadership, compost education, and community-based habitat revitalization events. At both schools, Fellows will conduct baseline waste audits to inform diversion strategies and support the implementation of campus-wide organic waste diversion and composting systems. Serving as on-site organic waste specialists during meal periods, Fellows will educate students and staff on proper sorting practices, help coordinate the edible food recovery, and coordinate student clubs and volunteer teams to sustain peer-to-peer zero-waste programming. Fellows will also lead campus and neighborhood greening initiatives, installing native trees and plants for habitat restoration, and hosting revitalization events in partnership with students and community members—building awareness that connects daily practices to soil, food systems, and climate resilience. This role is ideal for emerging leaders passionate about climate action, environmental justice, youth engagement, and who are eager to cultivate lasting systems around organic waste reduction, native habitat restoration, and environmental stewardship that extend beyond the school and into the broader community. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct baseline waste audits at school sites to inform diversion strategies and support the implementation of campus-wide organic waste diversion and composting systems
• Serve as on-site “organic waste specialists” during meal periods by educating students and staff on proper waste sorting, preventing contamination, and coordinating recovery of edible surplus food for donation
• Lead campus and neighborhood greening initiatives through native tree and plant installations for habitat restoration in collaboration with student and community partners
• Recruit, train, and coordinate student and community volunteers to support ongoing organic waste diversion efforts and large-scale native habitat revitalization events at campuses
• Develop and deliver educational modules on organic waste diversion and climate impacts for students, school staff, and families, connecting daily consumption and waste practices to soil health and climate resilience
• Track program data and analyze results to quantify climate impact

Minimum Program Eligibility Requirements

• Live in California by August 14, 2026
• Be at least 18 years of age by August 14, 2026
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, or lawful US resident to participate

Preferred Qualifications/Skills

Ability to lift up to 30 lbs, and experience in community outreach, composting, data/quantitative analysis, diverse outdoor conditions (rain, wind, heat, steep or uneven terrain), edible food recovery, engaging with K-12 students, environmental education, environmental justice/equity, event coordination & planning, GIS/mapping, Google suite, graphic design, habitat restoration, landscape management, marketing & social media, Microsoft Office Suite and Teams, multi-stakeholder collaboration, native plant management, project management, public speaking/facilitation, technical writing, traditional ecological knowledge, tree planting/care, and volunteer management & engagement. Access to a reliable vehicle and must possess a valid driver's license. Fluency in Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, or Tagalog is a plus. Other valuable contributions include:

• An interest in climate change mitigation, volunteerism, or public service
• Experience with outreach, education, training, or community behavior change
• Fundamental understanding of climate change science, environmental policies in California, and/or environmental priorities
• Excellent organizational, writing, interpersonal, and speaking skills

About Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust:

The Los Angeles Unified School District is the second-largest school district in the nation by students served. The District aims to become the most sustainable large urban school district in the nation, and the role and mission of the District's Eco-Sustainability Office is to facilitate efforts toward this end. The District's climate-related efforts span 8 focus areas, including waste reduction and diversion, one of the most impactful ways to mitigate the District's methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas 84 times more climate warming than carbon dioxide over a 20-year time period. More info: eso.lausd.org

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Apply Today!

Applications are accepted May 1 - July 31, 2026, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 19. Interviews will take place May-Aug, with all positions filled by September 4, 2026. This is a competitive program, and interviews are not guaranteed. CCAC is an equal opportunity Fellowship with a preference for candidates already living in the communities they will serve. Applicants can select up to 5 preferred positions within the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship application.