Sustainability Fellow

CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS

Sustainability Fellow at California State University, Northridge

Location: Northridge, California

Number of Positions Available: 8

Time Commitment: September 15, 2025 - August 14, 2026

This is a full-time, 11-month, 1700-hour program from September 15, 2025 - August 14, 2026. Fellows commit to a 40-hour work week, typically Monday - Friday, approximately 8am - 5pm, with occasional evening and weekend commitments based on project needs. 175+ of these hours are dedicated to professional development. This is a hybrid position, onsite 4 days per week.

**Please note: Due to the full-time commitment of the Program, students enrolled in undergraduate courses between Sep 15, 2025 - Aug 14, 2026 will not be eligible to participate in the California Climate Action Corps Program.

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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 2025-26 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—but with over 175 dedicated hours for professional development and training while receiving 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 and edible food recovery.

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Applications are accepted May 1 - July  31, 2025, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 20, 2025.

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Program Benefits

CSUN offers a dynamic environment for making a tangible impact on local climate action through community-focused initiatives. Fellows will gain mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities in the higher education sustainability sector. This role fosters leadership, relationship-building, and engagement with students and staff while addressing key issues at the intersection of education, climate action, volunteerism, and community impact. Other benefits include:

• Receive up to $35,000 stipend (before taxes) distributed evenly over the 11-month service term
• Earn up to $10,000 in education awards (before taxes and upon completion of 1700 hours)
• Participation in 175+ hours of training and professional development
• 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

California State University, Northridge (CSUN) seeks 8 Sustainability Fellows to advance campus and community sustainability initiatives across 4 key focus areas: Urban Greening, Organic Waste Reduction, Wildfire Resiliency, and Volunteer Engagement. Fellows will serve as climate leaders—igniting awareness, mobilizing volunteers, and facilitating hands-on solutions that contribute to a healthier, more resilient San Fernando Valley. Through collaboration with students, faculty, local organizations, and community members, Fellows will elevate CSUN’s Roadmap to Sustainability and strengthen climate readiness, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and build stronger communities. Fellows will gain professional experience in climate education, environmental stewardship, community outreach, and volunteer engagement while making a measurable impact in areas such as edible food recovery, composting, defensible space, and ecosystem restoration. Duties include, but are not limited to:

Urban Greening (2 Fellows)

• Plant, maintain, and distribute trees and native plants through CSUN’s G.A.R.D.E.N. and local greening efforts
• Facilitate community events promoting urban greening and climate resilience
• Support composting operations and community food scrap drop-offs using LA Compost’s three-bin system

Wildfire Resiliency (2 Fellows)

• Organize community wildfire preparedness events like the Wildfire Symposium and K–12 education programs
• Lead wildfire resilience activities—including brush clearance, invasive species removal, and home hardening
• Design and support educational installations demonstrating defensible space and Indigenous land stewardship

Organic Waste Recovery (2 Fellows)

• Coordinate edible food recovery and redistribution with partners and CSUN’s MataBites alert system
• Educate students and staff on food waste reduction strategies in high-impact zones (dining halls, events, housing)
• Lead large-scale events like Zest Fest and Matador Move-Out to recover and redirect surplus food

Volunteer Engagement (2 Fellows)

• Expand participation in climate-related service by engaging students, local organizations, and community members
• Lead outreach campaigns and coordinate service events across CSUN and the wider community
• Support flagship events including Community Climate Action Day, MLK Day of Climate Justice, and Climate Action Pop-Ups

Other Duties include:

• Track program data and analyze results to quantify climate impact

Minimum Program Eligibility Requirements

• Live in California by August 15, 2025
• Be at least 18 years of age by August 15, 2025
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, or lawful US resident to participate

Preferred Qualifications/Skills

Experience in Community Outreach, Composting, Data/Quantitative Analysis, Edible Food Recovery, Environmental Education, Environmental Justice/Equity, Event Coordination & Planning, Graphic Design, Home Hardening/Defensible Space, Marketing or Social Media, Microsoft Office Suite and Teams, Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration, Project Management, Public Speaking/Facilitation, Tree Planting/Care, Volunteer Management & Engagement, and the Ability to lift up to 30 lbs in Diverse Outdoor Conditions (rain, wind, heat, steep or uneven terrain). Fluency in Spanish 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 California State University, Northridge

The Institute for Sustainability at CSUN collaborates with stakeholders across campus and the community to integrate sustainability into all aspects of the university. Its mission is to promote, facilitate, and develop educational and research programs while advancing sustainability initiatives. The Institute provides opportunities for engagement through education, research, and participation in sustainability-related activities, building awareness among faculty, staff, and students to support CSUN’s sustainability goals and serve the community. More info: csun.edu/sustainability

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Apply Today!

Applications are accepted May 1 - July 31, 2025, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 20, 2025. Interviews will take place May - August, with all positions filled by September 2025. 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. Applications are for the California Climate Action Corps Program in general, but applicants can select up to 5 preferred organizations and positions within the application.

*Program structure, fellow benefits, and final participation are subject to approved grant award(s).