What are the responsibilities and job description for the Water, Climate, and Sustainability Policy Intern position at City of Seattle?
Position Description
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:
Job Responsibilities
As a Sustainability Policy Intern, you will play a vital role in advancing our commitment to environmental stewardship and resilient governance. Your primary focus will be bridging the gap between academic theory and practical local government policy.
Policy Analysis & Development
By the end of this residency, you will have developed a robust understanding of how policies are formulated and implemented within a local government framework. You will emerge with a specialized portfolio in climate mitigation and a proven ability to communicate high-level sustainability concepts to diverse audiences.
Hours: Basic work hours are between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. During school sessions, work hours will be scheduled to complement class schedules (15-20 hours per week). These internships may permit up to 40 hours per week during breaks and summer months.
Qualifications
Education: Applicants must be currently enrolled in graduate-level coursework, pursuing a degree related to Public Policy, Urban Planning, Business Administration, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, Environmental Studies, or a relevant field.
Applicants must be enrolled at least part-time or full-time basis and maintain a 3.0 GPA 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.
Additional Information
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.
The full salary range for this position is: $27.67 - $27.67 per hour.
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Kyle Chow at kyle.chow@seattle.gov
How to Apply:
An application will only be considered complete if you have attached the proper documents listed above.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
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
- SPU Workplace Expectations (Download PDF reader)
- Strategic Business Plan
Job Responsibilities
As a Sustainability Policy Intern, you will play a vital role in advancing our commitment to environmental stewardship and resilient governance. Your primary focus will be bridging the gap between academic theory and practical local government policy.
Policy Analysis & Development
- Support Sustainability Initiatives: Assist in the design and implementation of programs focused on climate adaptation, circular economy principles, and achieving net-zero emissions.
- Research & Forecasting: Conduct deep-dive research into emerging policy trends at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure our strategies remain innovative and compliant.
- Technical Inventorying: Gain hands-on experience by assisting with greenhouse gas (GHG) inventorying and the development of sustainable purchasing guidelines.
- Professional Drafting: Synthesize complex data into clear, actionable professional reports, policy memos, and briefing notes for senior leadership.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Actively participate in meetings and consultations with both internal departments and external community partners to foster collaborative climate solutions.
- Knowledge Translation: Translate academic research and environmental frameworks into practical, workplace-ready policy analysis and recommendations.
By the end of this residency, you will have developed a robust understanding of how policies are formulated and implemented within a local government framework. You will emerge with a specialized portfolio in climate mitigation and a proven ability to communicate high-level sustainability concepts to diverse audiences.
Hours: Basic work hours are between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. During school sessions, work hours will be scheduled to complement class schedules (15-20 hours per week). These internships may permit up to 40 hours per week during breaks and summer months.
Qualifications
Education: Applicants must be currently enrolled in graduate-level coursework, pursuing a degree related to Public Policy, Urban Planning, Business Administration, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, Environmental Studies, or a relevant field.
Applicants must be enrolled at least part-time or full-time basis and maintain a 3.0 GPA 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.
Additional Information
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.
The full salary range for this position is: $27.67 - $27.67 per hour.
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Kyle Chow at kyle.chow@seattle.gov
How to Apply:
- Attach your college/university's unofficial transcript to your online application (an official transcript will be required at time of hire)
- Cover letter indicating your interest in the internship
- Resume clearly identifying how you meet the qualifications of the internship
- Attach a current transcript
An application will only be considered complete if you have attached the proper documents listed above.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Salary : $28