Sustainability & Special Projects Intern

JOB SUMMARY

The Sustainability & Special Projects Paraprofessional Intern’s primary responsibility will be to support staff in meeting sustainability plan goals. The 2024 sustainability plan was created to drive the Sewer District’s sustainability efforts as we build on our successes and continue expanding efforts. The intern will gain exposure and assist on a variety of topics from investigating grant opportunities, conducting a tree inventory, compiling information to reuse furniture, and developing outreach materials for our annual Clean Water Fest.

The intern will help to create a furniture reuse tracking tool for surplus Sewer District furniture, to prevent valuable items from going to the landfill and to save money on purchasing and disposal of furniture. They will also continue the work of previous interns on the tree inventory to better understand tree health, maintenance needs and opportunities for planting. The tree inventory will primarily consist of field surveys and data collection utilizing geographic information system (GIS) software. The intern will also provide additional support to a variety of sustainability projects from greenhouse gas reporting to recycling. Other sustainability projects will involve work with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, or developing outreach materials/activities for the sustainability table at the Sewer District’s annual Clean Water Fest. 

This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in sustainability and exposure to a variety of different projects.

Project Title: Sustainability Plan Support 

• Support sustainability team in meeting sustainability plan goals by researching, comparing, and recommending products to increase efficiency, reduce waste, or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Contact peer organizations, vendors, or manufacturers for information, to set up meetings, or to schedule tours.
• Obtain quotes for goods or services.
• Assist in estimating the total cost of ownership of more sustainable options.
• Assist staff by reading and compiling information on federal, local or state grants.
• Support efforts to track tree plantings and removals.

Project Title: Furniture Reuse Tracking Tool

• Assist staff in developing a tool or application to track unused Sewer District furniture, so employees can see it and request it.
• Collect furniture details including pictures, brand/model, condition, location etc. and enter into Excel.
• Support beta testing, editing, and launching of the furniture reuse tracking tool.

Project Title: Tree Inventory

• Assist staff with field surveys from May-July to identify tree species at our urban and suburban sites, determine tree species using tools like an interactive dichotomous tree key or tree guides, evaluate tree health, assess the tree canopy, and find opportunities to increase tree canopy on Sewer District properties.
• Collect data during field surveys utilizing GIS application software.
• Collect data from GIS application software, Census data, Cuyahoga County Tree Canopy Assessment and Environmental Justice data, and FEMA to assist in planning/prioritizing future planting efforts.
• Review, manipulate, and compile field data in Microsoft Excel as required.
• Update tree inventory report data including types and number of species at Sewer District Properties, and update recommendations on trees to plant and trees to avoid planting.
• Enter information into iTree to assist with assessing carbon sequestration and stormwater reduction potential of evaluated sites.

Project Title: Clean Water Fest Sustainability Outreach Support

• Assist staff in preparing for a reduced waste Clean Water Fest 2025 by obtaining quotes, contacting vendors about composting, searching for compostable products, or drafting general composting guidance documents using Microsoft Word or PowerPoint.
• Create interactive short games or other manipulatives for the sustainability table at the Sewer District’s annual Clean Water Fest.
• Assist staff in developing background notes/reference materials for the sustainability table using Microsoft Word.
• Assist sustainability team with conducting waste audit and recording opportunities for improvement.
• Willingness to work at Clean Water Fest 2025

Project Title: Sustainability Program – Support

• Assist staff in entering data into Excel, formatting tables, and using basic formulas like SUM and AVERAGE to compile results.
• Assist staff in collecting and compiling data for our Sewer District greenhouse gas report.
• Complete web research, set up meetings, compile information, and take notes.
• Attend meetings, share key takeaways, assist with action items.
• As directed, provide support to other departments, such as Analytical Services, who has earned a My Green Lab Certification and is striving to further their sustainability efforts.
• Help with waste and recycling audits.

Project Title: Special Project Support

• Provide support for various projects as directed by staff.
• Support outreach activities, internal and external presentations.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

• Candidate must be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program or better with a declared major of Sustainability, Business (with focus in sustainability), Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, or a closely related field of study.
• Knowledge of how to enter and manipulate data in Excel.
• Completion of a tree identification course, volunteer tree stewardship training or urban forestry or field ecology coursework is preferred.
• This position may include those that have graduated from a related program within 24 months of the date of application.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Candidate must possess a valid driver’s license with a driving record in accordance with the District’s acceptable guidelines.
• The Sewer District requires protective footwear (i.e., steel or composite-toed) when working in the plants, pump stations, construction sites, public rights-of-way and other posted areas. New hires are required to have protective footwear, meeting the following criteria, on the first day of employment: 1) Must be ANSI Z41-1999 or ASTM F-2412/2413 (2005) certified, 2) Must have a steel or composite protective toe, 3) Must be, at a minimum, a 6” work boot or 6” hiker-style boot (Note: shoes are not permitted), 4) Must have a slip-resistant sole. It is also recommended, but not required, that footwear be waterproof and have included a shank to protect the bottom of the foot.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Candidate must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Candidate must be detailed-oriented and familiar with how to enter and manipulate data in Excel.

SCHEDULE

• Candidate must be able to work 40 hours per week from a combination of Monday - Friday during normal business hours. Options for reduced hours to a minimum of 20 hours per week can be arranged, based on the candidate’s availability during the academic year and with supervisors’ approval.
• Candidate must be able to commit to up to a 12-month assignment with an option to extend the assignment at NEORSD’s discretion. This internship program provides for a time-limited role at NEORSD with no express or implied guarantee of employment for any period of time as the selected candidate is “at will.” This position is governed by all applicable NEORSD administrative policies, practices and procedures related to temporary employees, including employment at will.

NEORSD, an Equal Opportunity Employer
The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce, recognizing the full range of human differences and similarities. Through our unwavering efforts to leverage the potential of our diversity, we continually strive to build and foster an environment that respects everyone. We encourage and promote innovation, and provide opportunities for all employees to interact, communicate, and realize the full potential of their talents.

Our Employee Benefits & Wellness Programs
We offer a comprehensive employee benefits package including Various Retirement Planning Options (Ohio Public Employee Retirement System and Deferred Compensation Plans), Employee Assistance Program, Free Parking at our facilities, Corporate Discounts, and more! We also have an active Health & Wellness Program that promotes a life/work balance.

Our Accessibility Statement

DISCLAIMER:  The information outlined in this job description indicates the general nature and type of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not intended to provide a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities or competencies required of employees within this classification.

This internship is a temporary position, this position comes with no express or implied guarantee of future employment beyond the assignment period. This potion is governed by all applicable NEORSD administrative policies, practices and procedures related to temporary employees.