Schools Sustainability Associate I (Intern)

About StopWaste is a public agency dedicated to advancing environmental sustainability and building healthy, equitable, climate-resilient communities in Alameda County and beyond. We partner with nonprofits, businesses, schools, and local governments to deliver programs that reflect community needs in one of the most diverse regions in the country. Our work advances a circular economy through three programmatic areas:

• Waste prevention and material circularity

• Strengthening community food systems

• Construction innovation and clean energy transition in buildings Equity and environmental stewardship guide all our programs.

The Position

School Sustainability Associates (SSAs) lead educational field trips at StopWaste’ s two Education Centers, support school-based programs, and help elementary, middle, and high school teachers and students take action to reduce waste.

SSAs also contribute to agency initiatives such as school infrastructure, trainings, and community outreach campaigns.

They work at the Education Centers, at schools, at the agency office, and in community settings to implement programs that advance StopWaste’ s goals and support educational equity.

Instructional support may include facilitating student-led waste audits and activities that help schools reduce waste in alignment with local climate action plans and district environmental literacy curricula. SSAs may also provide technical assistance and training, support school infrastructure projects, and assist with outreach campaigns such as StopWaste’ s Stop Food Waste campaign and carbon farming initiatives.

The position receives day-to-day direction from a StopWaste Program Manager and Project Coordinators or their designees, with work assignments at the StopWaste office and the Educational Field Trip Centers in San Leandro and Fremont. Selected candidates must have reliable transportation, be willing to travel regularly to sites throughout the county and provide proof of insurance if using a personal vehicle. Mileage between work sites is reimbursed at the standard IRS rate.

This position is in the Associate/Intern Series. It is part-time position with a generally fixed schedule. This position is normally scheduled to work Monday through Thursday and includes some scheduled Friday, evening, and weekend classes and events.

Visit the StopWaste school programs website at: https://www.stopwaste.org/schools