Sustainability Intern

This internship provides an excellent opportunity to contribute to the development of Chatham County's Climate Action Plan (CAP) while working alongside County staff, consultants, and community members. The selected intern will gain practical experience in sustainability planning, community engagement, research, and data analysis.

The internship will begin in the fall of 2026, preferably early September. The expected schedule will be approximately 15-20 hours per week for about 15 weeks, with some hours worked in the office, at community sessions, and the remainder worked remotely. The exact ratio of hours spent in the office can be flexible, but preference would be to work at least one day per week in the office. Specific arrangements will be made upon hiring. This position reports to the Director of Solid Waste and Sustainability.

The Environmental Quality Main Office is located at 28 County Services Road, Pittsboro, NC and is open from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.The following essential functions serve as a general guide for this position. Position functions are subject to change based on departmental needs and external factors including, but not limited to, regulatory requirements.

• Collaborating with County staff and the project's consulting team to collect, organize, and analyze data needed to develop the Climate Action Plan.
• Assisting with community engagement efforts by supporting public meetings, workshops, and outreach events.
• Helping coordinate meeting logistics, which may include reserving facilities, arranging translation services, preparing meeting materials, and assisting with event promotion.
• Creating informational and outreach materials for community members.
• Conducting research, benchmarking sustainability best practices, and gathering data to support the County's environmental initiatives.
• Performing other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Current undergraduate or graduate student, or recent graduate, pursuing a degree in Public Administration, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Environmental Policy, Natural Resources, or a closely related field. An equivalent combination of education, volunteer experience, research, or demonstrated interest in sustainability, climate action, or environmental stewardship may also be considered.

• A general understanding of environmental science, including how human activities and natural processes affect the climate.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience interacting with the public, planning events, or coordinating projects is preferred.
• The ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively as part of a team.

Physical Requirements

This position requires frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds. Duties regularly involve using hands to handle or feel objects, sitting for extended periods, and performing repetitive motions. Occasionally, the position requires standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting. Standard vision, hearing, and verbal communication abilities are required to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.

Special Requirements
Must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license or reliable transportation.