Intern (Sustainability)

ABOUT OUR CITY

The City of Sunrise is more than a workplace — it’s a community built on our Three Pillars: Customer Service, Collaboration, and Transparency. We’re committed to creating an environment where innovation thrives, teamwork is celebrated, and every employee has the opportunity to grow and make a lasting impact.

As a full-service municipality and one of South Florida’s premier cities, Sunrise offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, professional development opportunities, and a strong culture of recognition. Whetheryou’re helping residents, shaping policy, or improving city operations, you’ll be part of a team that’s passionate about service excellence and community pride.

We take pride in being home to the back-to-back NHL Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers, a vibrant arts and entertainment district, and a diverse community that truly embodies what it means toLive, Work, and Play in Sunrise.

Effective January 2026, the City has launched an Alternative Work Schedule designed to further support employee work-life balance — providing eligible staff with two three-day weekends per month through an every-other-Friday-off model. This initiative reflects our continued focus on flexibility and employee well-being.

NATURE OF WORK This is an internship opportunity with the City of Sunrise in support of our sustainability initiatives.  All candidates will be considered.  An academic background and/or professional experience in urban planning, environmental science or policy, engineering, architecture, communications and/or public policy or administration is preferred.  Candidates should have a keen interest in the role of local government in creating sustainable communities and a commitment to public engagement. This is a professional internship working with the Sustainability Officer, whose office is within the Utilities Department.  Our sustainability work is cross-cutting, so there will be opportunity to interact with many other municipal departments.  The work primarily deals with municipal planning functions, and will include carrying out research and the development of strategies to enhance the sustainability of municipal operations, projects and programs.  In addition, the intern position includes the opportunity to further develop and implement strategies to engage our residents, schools and businesses.     

• Hours: Up to 26 hours per week
• Paid internship rate is $15 per hour
• Length of assignment: Up to 12 months
• Volunteer positions available as well (unpaid)

• Conduct research, develop proposals and implement measures and activities related to the following:
• Sustainability Policy & Action Planning:  This may include conducting research and working collaboratively to develop policy, protocols and program recommendations.  Possible topic areas include but are not limited to green building, landscaping, and capital projects.
• Community Engagement:  This scope includes engaging our community in resource conservation and stewardship activities (such as Florida friendly Landscaping and butterfly gardening), and may include the development of materials and interaction with the public at forums and events. The intern may attend Sustainability Advisory Board meetings and other community events, as necessary.
• The Intern shall perform all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies and procedures and work in a safe manner and report unsafe activity and conditions.

 EDUCATION 

• Currently enrolled at an accredited college or university in a graduate program in Public Management or Public Administration or other related field as specified by department; or a recent graduate from an accredited college/university possessing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the fields of study outlined.
• PROOF OF EDUCATION MUST BE SUBMITTED AS AN ATTACHMENT WITH APPLICATION. (Applications without attached proof of education will not be processed for consideration.)

EXPERIENCE 

• Background in public administration, urban planning, environmental science, engineering, energy policy,  public policy, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience in use of computers and good communications (verbal and writing) skills are necessary.

• Ability to perform research and prepare pertinent reports.
• Fundamental knowledge of water and wastewater operations is desirable.
• Experience in use of computers and good communication skills are desirable.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, other employees and City officials.
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively, both verbally and in writing to individuals as well as groups.
• Ability to withstand pressure of competing priorities and varied responsibilities and works efficiently and effectively to develop win-win solutions.

• Develop an understanding of municipal operations and the role cities play in sustainability.
• Learn strategic approaches for integrating sustainability through policy, protocols, programs and partnerships.
• Develop and practice transformative communication skills, as well as stakeholder engagement activities.
• Learn the policies and procedures within the City of Sunrise.

Salary : $15