Recycling and Zero Waste Internship

Recycling and Zero Waste Internship

Internship Timeframes

Intern is expected to work for a period of ~16 weeks.

Winter/Spring

Summer

Fall

January – April*

May – August*

September – December*

*These timeframes can be adjusted as appropriate for your internship and availability.

Compensation

Internships will not be paid on an hourly basis. Intern will receive a $500 stipend at the conclusion of the internship. We will work with your academic institution if you will be taking this internship for credit.

Position Summary:

The West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) and the Kent County Department of Public Works (KCDPW) are offering a joint internship opportunity for an individual to support the Zero Waste in Landfill (ZWIL) and recycling education programs. We are seeking an intern to support strategies to improve participation and product quality for recycling in Grand Rapids and Kent County. The intern will assist in providing education about recycling and waste management to our community. The intern may be assisting with community outreach, volunteer coordination, public speaking, research, data management and analysis. Intern is expected to complete 10-15 hours per week, at times to be arranged by intern and staff at WMEAC and Kent County. Occasional evenings and weekends should be expected for community outreach events. Intern will report primarily to WMEAC’s Education Programs Manager.

Although specific tasks may depend on seasonality, intern is expected to:

• Attend community events and outreach opportunities, including Imagine Craft Mondays at Kent County Recycling Center (KCREC)
• Plan and execute WMEAC/KCDPW events such as workshops, recycle drives, and facility tours
• Assist with K-12 education opportunities about recycling, composting, and living sustainably
• Update and maintain KCDPW’s Recycling and Waste Directory which assists Kent County residents in finding the proper method of disposal for their municipal waste
• Attendance of WMEAC events is also expected, when the intern’s schedule permits.

Qualifications

Required:

• Intern MUST be available Mondays from 1 - 5pm for the KCREC’s Imagine Craft Mondays workshops
• Reliable personal transportation, and flexible availability; mileage reimbursement will be provided at the current federal rate for events attended outside of the expected workplace commute

• Strong communication and writing skills to knowledgeably and professionally represent WMEAC and KCDPW and their programs in a variety of audiences and ages
• Proficiency with Microsoft and Google Suite applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Basic knowledge of common recycling and materials management issues
• Successfully clear a background and felony records check

Preferred:

• Familiarity with the concepts of a circular economy, municipal solid waste, composting, and waste-to-energy
• Familiarity with West Michigan’s current state of recycling/composting infrastructure and future plans for the Kent County Sustainable Business Park and waste reduction goals by 2030
• Demonstrated dedication to protecting the environment and a willingness to try new tasks and outreach opportunities
• Experience in planning and promoting community events such as workshops, recycle drives, facility tours, etc.
• Experience working with K-12 students and/or developing lesson plans and activities
• Kent County resident preferred, but not required if intern has access to reliable transportation

Organization(s) Background

West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization working to protect and enhance West Michigan’s environment by translating the concerns of people into positive action. WMEAC has been delivering environmental education and advocacy to the West Michigan community for over 50 years.

KCREC serves as the primary materials recovery facility for residential recyclables generated in homes throughout West Michigan. Nearly 58 million pounds of recyclables were delivered to the facility in 2017. Our ZWIL programs promote recycling and activities that minimize waste. KCDPW Waste Reduction Educators also educate residents about recycling and waste and offer resources that will assist residents in safe disposal options for discards that are mindful of environmental impacts.

Work Location

Intern will have the opportunity to work out of the KCREC and/or the WMEAC office to the extent possible. WMEAC staff will work with Intern to determine a flexible schedule to accomplish the internship goals and tasks. However, our staff is currently working a hybrid schedule where staff members work 2-3 days per week in the office and 2-3 days per week at home. Our office is closed to the public on Mondays and Fridays; it is anticipated that intern hours will be virtual on those days unless other arrangements are made with staff. Regular, in-office days will primarily be Tuesday - Thursday. WMEAC staff will work with Intern to determine a flexible schedule to accomplish the internship goals and tasks.

To Apply

Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and application to wmeac.org/internships. WMEAC is an equal opportunity employer. No one will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.