WM Recycle Corps Intern

There are 10 open intern positions we are looking to fill.

The pay rate for this internship is $22 per hour.

I. Job Summary

The WM Recycle Corps intern program is a nine-week internship focused on the latest strategies in engaging residents and businesses in waste reduction and recycling behavior change. The internship is designed to provide a group of responsible college students and recent graduates with experience as recycling educators. 

This position provides an opportunity to work with communities across the Puget Sound. Interns will be out in the field engaging with local businesses and attending community festivals to educate on recycling right. We are seeking a diverse group of applicants from all backgrounds to best connect with the businesses and residents of this region.

WM Recycle Corps interns represent the company on a variety of public outreach projects. Interns will primarily conduct in-person site visits, attend community festivals with a WM booth, complete some remote phone-based outreach to help businesses and apartment complexes with their recycling programs, and tag recycling carts with educational flyers. Additional outreach projects could include writing blogs, social media posting and delivering educational supplies to customers.  

Professional development is a top priority in the WM Recycle Corps program. WM outreach staff will work one-on-one with interns to understand their career goals and interests, and connect them with professionals in the industry. Interns will build their network through meet and greets with outreach staff from local government agencies and build an understanding of career pathways in the solid waste industry. 

WM is committed to social and racial equity and cultural responsiveness in our services to clients, our workforce composition and practices, and in our organizational culture. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

II. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties satisfactorily.  Other minor duties may be assigned and may vary by location.

• Curiosity and enthusiasm for recycling and composting
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to engage and educate the public through technical assistance and phone calls
• Ability to work efficiently and independently while maintaining attention to detail
• Efficiency in using Excel as part of regular data collection during site visits
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations while remaining positive
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse, collaborative team environment
• Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, Marathi, Farsi, Hindi, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Russian or Somali is preferred, but not required

III. Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the qualifications necessary to perform the job.

A. Education and Experience

Education: Interns must have a high school diploma or GED (accredited). Additionally, they must have completed at least one year of college and be enrolled as a college student in the fall of 2024, or recently graduated college in the last year.

Experience: No prior work experience required.

B. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations or Other Requirements

None required.

C. Other Knowledge, Skills or Abilities Required

• Be available to participate in the internship from start to finish: 6/17/2024 - 8/16/2024.
• Have access to a cell phone for periodic use to stay in touch with managers and colleagues. 
• Have access to a vehicle and be able to travel to and from multiple sites per day throughout King, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties. Personal vehicles will be used to transport outreach materials including tables and tents. Personal vehicle mileage beyond the commute to and from the main office will be reimbursed at the standard IRS rate.
• Have access to a remote workspace with internet access to complete occasional phone-based outreach. 

IV. Work Environment

Listed below are key points regarding environmental demands and work environment of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Most settings for this job will be in the field in residential or commercial areas, completing outreach work indoors and outdoors (where the physical environment may include dirt, odors, noise, weather extremes or similar elements). Weekend and/or holiday work will be tabling at community events.
• Infrequent setting will be working from remote workspace.

Program Overview

• This is a full-time paid internship with an hourly rate of $22.00 per hour (approx. 32-40 hours/week).
• Eligible candidates must be able to start Monday, June 17, 2024 and work through Friday, August 16, 2024. Most shifts will start at 8:30 a.m. and end by 5:00 p.m. On occasion, shifts will begin as early as 5 a.m. or end as late as 11:00 p.m.
• Many shifts will be Monday – Friday, but interns can expect to work around 3-5 weekends and/or holidays. When weekend or holiday work is required, interns will receive select weekdays off.
• Each week of the internship will look different, with outreach taking place primarily in King County cities (Kirkland, Seattle, Auburn, etc.) with some work in Snohomish County and Kitsap County.