Clean City Community Engagement Intern

Position Description

Want to make a difference in your community while gaining hands-on experience in environmental programs?

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) Clean City Division is looking for an undergraduate or graduate student with a passion for the environment and community engagement. Within this role, you will support two key programs that keep Seattle clean and vibrant: Adopt a Street and the Public Litter Can programs.

In this role, you’ll help connect with Adopt a Street’s 1,900 volunteers, encourage new participation, and build stronger community involvement. You’ll also support outreach with residents, community groups, and businesses to improve the function and oversight of Seattle’s 1,100 public litter cans.

You’ll work closely with the Adopt a Street/Public Place Litter & Recycling Program Manager in a collaborative, thought-partner style relationship, giving you the chance to influence program direction while learning how city-supported clean-up programs operate.

Learning objectives

With support from supervisor, you will learn through practical training and various aspects of community outreach and engagement and have the opportunity to:

• Gain practical experience in a professional work environment.
• Develop hands-on experience across multiple areas of critical need while learning how your work can directly support meaningful change in the community
• Collaborate with diverse City/SPU staff, gaining insights into a wide array of City services.
• Develop skills in data management, program coordination, and customer service.
• Enhance public speaking and community engagement skills.
• Participate in moving ideas from planning to execution.
• Gain exposure to urban environmental stewardship and community-driven initiatives
• Earn practical experience in a professional work environment.
• Deepen understanding of public utility and learn about the various services Seattle Public Utilities offers; this includes field trips to our satellite offices and site tours.
  
  

There is currently one (1) internship opportunity available at the undergraduate or graduate level. We require an 8-month commitment for this internship.

The duration of this internship may last up to 20 months, depending on program needs and student enrollment status.To be eligible, you must remain an active student during the internship period.

About Seattle Public Utilities: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a community-centered utility that delivers vital services to Seattle residents and businesses including drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and garbage/recycling/compost. SPU also provides drinking water for 1.5 million customers in the region. SPU’s work includes system maintenance and improvements and keeping Seattle clean. Over 1,400 SPU employees work with our community to provide affordable and equitable stewardship of our water and waste resources for future generations.

For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), checkout the:

• SPU Website
• Strategic Business Plan
  
  

SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring and promotional opportunities.

Job Responsibilities

As a Clean City Community Engagement intern you will learn through supervised practical training.

Duties may include, but not limited to:

• Maintain the Adopt a Street volunteer database and track sign-ups, cleanup reports, and supply requests.
• Communicate with volunteers, community members, and contractors through email and other channels about program updates.
• Support internal and external program communications such as newsletters, flyers, and local media content.
• Help plan and carry out volunteer appreciation initiatives to strengthen engagement.
• Manage supply inventory and program assets.
• Represent the program at outreach events and engage with community groups, schools, and businesses.
• Assist with oversight of public litter cans, including accountability and maintenance tracking.
• Perform fieldwork, such as litter can audits and cleanup supply drop-offs.
  
  

Qualifications

Education: Applicants must be currently enrolled in under-graduate or graduate-level coursework, pursuing a degree related to Environmental, Communications, Public Administration, Planning, Sociology Community Engagement or a closely related field.

Applicants must be enrolled at least part-time or full-time and maintain a 2.5 GPA (undergraduate) or 3.0 GPA (graduate) for the duration of the internship.

Exception: Students do not need to be enrolled over the summer months but will need to provide at the end of Spring Quarter/Semester proof of continuing and pre-registration for the Fall session as applicable.

Licensing and Other Requirements:

• A Washington State Driver's license is required for this internship in order to operate a City vehicle to outreach events and site visits.
  
  

Selected candidate will be required to provide an Abstract of Driving Record - Full from the DOL on or before date of hire.

Example:

Ideal candidate profile:

• Passion for people and community engagement
• Motivated, creative, and willing to take initiative
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Customer service, volunteer, or community experience is a plus
  
  

Additional Information

Hours:

• Work hours are between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
• During school sessions, work hours will be scheduled to complement class schedules (15 – 20 hours per week)
• The internship may permitup to 40 hours per week during breaks and summer months.
  
  

Salary information:

• Undergraduate - $21.78 - $21.78 per hour
• Graduate - $26.71 - $26.71 per hour
  
  

Recruiter Information:

• For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Vanessa Fowler at Vanessa.Fowler@seattle.gov
  
  

How to Apply:

• Attach your college/university's unofficial transcript to your online application
• Resume identifying how you meet the qualifications of the internship
• Cover letter indicating your interest in this internship
  
  

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Selected applicants invited to interview will be requested to provide references.

This position allows for the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor.

Who may apply: The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.