Fall & Spring Internships

Position: Assistant Energy Researcher

Internship Description: The Green Neighbor Challenge has built a web-tool to help anyone in the US quickly find and access the home energy programs and incentives available to them locally. We work to leverage public data for collective energy action by ordinary residents. The assistant energy researcher will assist us in our mission by researching program details for green energy, energy assistance, efficiency rebates and similar programs. Research primarily involves reading through utility or government websites and data entry and occasionally contacting utilities directly via email, phone or form. No prior research experience is required, just an attention to detail, curiosity and access to the internet. Familiarity with Excel or Google Sheets is a plus.

Sustainability Learning Opportunities: Interns will learn how to perform utility and program research and work with large datasets. As they learn to read through term sheets, they'll also gain a better knowledge of the electricity sector and jargon of the field. Since our work focuses almost exclusively on empowering residential customers, interns will develop a consumer-oriented view of the electricity sector and gain a deeper understanding of what levers exist for both market and policy transformation. Our team also encourages creating space for self-directed learning and has assembled a small library of resources about energy and energy policy. Interns are also supported in making new connections within our growing network that support their interests.

Applications and interviews accepted on a rolling basis.

Modality: Internship can be done completely remotely.

More Information: greenneighborchallenge.org

Unpaid internship. Apply for Ecolab Scholarship if you meet financial need eligibility requirements.

Position: MN GreenStep and Gold Leaf Communications Coordinator

Internship Description: Our program supports communities (local/Tribal governments, neighborhoods, schools, etc.) working on their sustainability and climate efforts. The GreenStep program focuses on action and metrics across sustainability, while the Gold Leaf Challenge helps communities address and prepare for climate change. As recognition programs, we love to share how communities are taking action. This position will help interview and gather content, develop communication materials and support our social media and newsletter. Potential content can include: highlighting Gold Leaf Challenge participants/actions, profiling leading GreenStep (Step 5) communities and/or small/rural communities finding success, composing a campaign to highlight various GreenStep and/or Gold Leaf actions in more detail.

Sustainability Learning Opportunities: This position will cover a broad range of topics, allowing the intern to pursue personal interests while also exposing them to other areas. You will work with our GreenStep program partners to learn about sustainability topics and you will support communities with content to share with their residents/businesses. You will see your work used in real time!

Earlier applications will be considered as a priority. The site supervisor will be going on vacation, so August 21 is the last day for application if not filled earlier.

Modality: This internship can be done completely online, but some activities could also be done in-person.

Hours Requested: 60 hours during the semester.

More Information: greenstep.pca.state.mn.us

Unpaid internship. Apply for Ecolab Scholarship if you meet financial need eligibility requirements.

We are looking for two interns who can help us with some website optimization and digitizing projects. 

Position and Internship Description: Educational Support Internship – Website Support One intern will support our marketing department in completing a multi-step website optimization project that includes cleaning up old and broken links, merging duplicate content, updating pages and categories for our online resource hub, The Tool Shed. Additional work may be needed with building emails and social media posts using tracking links on the website for our new performance dashboard. This position will be perfect for someone looking to grow and develop in the field of SEO, marketing and web.

Position and Internship Description: Educational Support Internship – Magazine Support Our other position will support our magazine editor and marketing department by indexing all magazine articles from the past 5 years (or more, if time allows) from Northern Gardener by title, topic, keywords, writer, photographer and section so they are searchable by MHS staff and the public.

Sustainability Learning Opportunities: These projects will help a student understand the background work that goes into helping the public gain access to gardening information. There will be some research and background support included in these projects. 

Applications and interviews accepted on a rolling basis up until middle of August.

Modality: Mostly remote, but can work in their office space in Roseville, MN, if in-person work is needed. 

Hours Requested: 60 hours during the semester.

More Information: northerngardener.org

Unpaid internship. Apply for Ecolab Scholarship if you meet financial need eligibility requirements.

Position: Climate Youth Lab Intern

Internship Description: Interested in near-peer mentoring? Students have found this internship to be extremely rewarding. The University of Minnesota Extension 4-H Youth Development in Hennepin County is partnering with University of Wisconsin - Superior to build youth participation in local and state climate resiliency efforts.

The Climate Youth Lab Intern will collaborate with University of Minnesota Extension youth development educators to develop and support place-based climate change learning for BIPOC youth (ages 11-14) at Minneapolis Public Schools middle schools. Students will be engaged in climate learning, storytelling and civic engagement with youth taking action to promote climate resiliency, promote climate justice and become advocates for health and well-being of their communities and fragile ecosystems.

The Climate Youth Lab Intern will focus on revising the Climate Youth Lab’s Climate, Food and You Curriculum and/or helping develop, record and edit, the nonprofit’s podcast, focusing on climate and food systems.The intern will compile climate education and justice resources, work with partners and draft engaging middle-school focused lessons which support youth learning about climate and their communities.

Sustainability Learning Opportunities: The Climate Youth Lab Intern will gain valuable skills in youth-focused climate resiliency work, participate in climate resiliency professional development and participate in effective climate communication.  

Additionally, you'll develop:

• Experience with an NOAA Climate Resiliency grant and collaboration with UW - Superior
• Experience in youth development training and curriculum development
• Intentional focus on climate justice work with the goal of engaging black, Indigenous and underserved youth in Minnesota and Wisconsin
• Connections to climate-focused leaders in the Twin Cities and Superior

Applications and interviews accepted on a rolling basis.

Hours Requested: The internship is generally broken out over 5–6 hours a week over 11–12 weeks. Please also note these program times: Our program times are: Mondays – weekly planning meeting (can be determined with student; Monday or Wednesday. from 3:30–5:30 p.m. for after-school 4-H programming. The student does not need to attend all the 4-H programs, but at least one. There will also be curriculum development work around climate and food systems.

Modality: Remote or hybrid.

More Information: extension.umn.edu/minnesota-4-h 

Paid internship.

Position: Harvester

Internship Description: Interns will help harvest crops, prep them for market and help sell at market stands (schedule allowing). Interns will also help with end of the season projects, like planting garlic, preparing beds for next year and conducting seed inventories. 

Sustainability Learning Opportunities: Students will have the opportunity to learn about various aspects of Sustainable Agriculture and Organic Farming. Specific skills include project management, record keeping, volunteer management and oversight all within the context of growing greens, fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers.

Applications accepted until 9/11/26 or when filled. Earlier applications will be given a priority.

Modality: Most internship activities are done in-person on St. Paul Campus, but some activities can be done remote.

More Information: rogerslab.cfans.umn.edu

Paid internship.

Position: Repair Event Coordinator

Internship Description: We are working on a campaign to increase the lifespan of electronic devices. The position will primarily be helping to coordinate and expand free, community lead repair events.

Sustainability Learning Opportunities: Learn about barriers and opportunities for expanding the life cycle of electronic devices through a sharing economy model.

Applications and interviews accepted on a rolling basis.

Modality: Internship can be done completely remotely.

More Information: reca-us.org 

Unpaid internship. Apply for Ecolab Scholarship if you meet financial need eligibility requirements.

Position: Program Assistant

Internship Description: The Program Assistant will support the programming we offer for students, staff and faculty leading sustainability efforts on college campuses across the Upper Midwest. Work will include creating monthly newsletters and weekly social media posts, setting up virtual events and helping to plan for our 2026 conference on September 25 and 25 at St. John's University and the College of Saint Benedict. The Program Assistant will also propose one independent project that will help advance sustainability on their campus based on their interests.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for inspiring and training campus leaders to work effectively for climate action and environmental justice; experience with social media and other forms of communications and experience with event planning. The ideal candidate will be able to work at the annual conference (UMACS will cover the cost of registration). The position is primarily remote but the intern can meet in person with UMACS staff in the Twin Cities if desired/possible.

Sustainability Learning Opportunities: The intern would have an opportunity to participate in any UMACS programming that is offered in the fall (including the conference) so they would learn from that content, as well as from students, staff and faculty who are working to advance sustainability on their campuses. The Program Assistant will also participate in the regional Sustainability Fellows Program for students which will allow them to meet other student leaders and get substantive leadership development experience.

The Intern would also develop their digital communications skills (including using Constant Contact and website design), time management,  program administration and event coordination skills. If desired, the intern can also learn about fund development and financial management. 

Applications and interviews accepted on a rolling basis.

Modality: Internship can be done completely remotely.

More Information: umacs.org 

Unpaid internship. Apply for Ecolab Scholarship if you meet financial need eligibility requirements.

This position has been filled and is no longer available.

Position: Clean Energy Implementation Intern 

Internship Description: You would be working in partnership with communities to help them identify and implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. This job will prioritize helping people with high energy burden, with a focus on food shelves, manufactured home (trailer) parks, renters, non-profits and small main street businesses who are struggling with their energy bills. 

Sustainability Learning Opportunities: We are very project oriented and the student will have a chance to work on a variety of eclectic (and hopefully interesting) clean energy projects!  We're excited about the opportunity! Our office is on the Saint Paul campus and we are a pretty fun group to work with!

Modality: Some projects are best done in-person, but some activities can be done remote.

More Information: cleanenergyresourceteams.org

Unpaid internship. Apply for Ecolab Scholarship if you meet financial need eligibility requirements.

This position has been filled and is no longer available.

Position: Drive Electric Minnesota Internship

Internship Description: We are looking for an intern to immerse themselves into transportation electrification and help us update our literature for Drive Electric Minnesota. The electric vehicle landscape changes faster than we have capacity to update information on our website, including literature hosted on it. This internship will require review and revising our existing literature. Current literature includes a variety of fact sheets, web pages and more. The intern will also review lessons learned from our EV Education for All initiative and suggest opportunities to incorporate them into our literature, improving access for underserved communities. In addition to updating our literature, the intern will conduct a comprehensive search and add resources to our EV Resources Database. If the intern has an interest in engaging with the public, there may also be ride and drives, tabling activities or other events the intern could get involved with. 

Sustainability Learning Opportunities: This internship, focused on updating technical literature and managing a resource database, offers a significant opportunity for professional development. Specific skills include gaining technical knowledge and industry fluency, strategic communications and writing, project coordination and the potential for public engagement/event logistics.

Hours Requested: 60 hours total during the semester.

Modality: Internship can be done completely remotely.

More Information: betterenergy.org 

May be paid, contact supervisor to discuss.

These positions have been filled and are no longer available.

MN GreenStep Schools is a challenge, assistance and recognition program for schools in Minnesota that is free and voluntary. These internships are for students that wants to promote and learn about environmental, health and education strategies in Minnesota green schools while they contribute to developing features in a program that helps schools improve their environmental impact and cost, improve the health and well being of students staff and community and provide sustainability education and community engaged projects for K-12 youth. 

FILLED – Position and Internship Description: Communications Internship This position assists leadership to plan and execute GreenStep Schools communications for the semester including co-producing the newsletter, planning and posting social media content and engaging the green schools community across multiple social media platforms. Content would include promoting school initiatives, GreenStep advancement recognitions and growth of program offerings. A tailored communications project may be included that bridges student interest and program needs. Intern should have demonstrated communication and writing skills and an interest in learning about green schools. 

FILLED – Position and Internship Description: Website and GIS Internship This position assists leadership with updating and improving GIS (Geographic Information Systems) educational tools on the GreenStep Schools website. No prior GIS experience is necessary; training is provided. The intern will update, edit and potentially create new educational GIS resources on the website using ESRI ArcGIS Online software. Educational GIS elements include a map of GreenStep Schools’ progress across Minnesota, a MN Community Atlas of maps and a Teacher/Student Learn GIS program for youth to explore place-based environmental projects while learning GIS. Intern should have good attention to technical detail, ability to learn software applications and an interest in green schools. 

Sustainability Learning Opportunities: The intern will learn about the world of green schools and relevant best practices. General professional skills like communication, work planning and documentation that apply in any field will also be developed. Interns will work on individual projects and meet weekly with a supervisor that is part of the leadership team at the MN GreenStep Schools program. Inclusion of professional and academic intern learning goals is encouraged and will be supported. Student projects will be designed to conclude with a clear scope completed and documented for a satisfying internship experience and a meaningful product for their portfolio and for the program.

Hours Requested: TBD – Preference for students interested in interning more than the minimum 60 hours required for the class.

Modality: Internship is remote with virtual meetings by Zoom. One or more optional in-person opportunities may be offered.

More information: mngreenstepschools.org 

Unpaid internship. Apply for Ecolab Scholarship if you meet financial need eligibility requirements.

This position has been filled and is no longer available.

Position: Seed Steward (may be paid)

Internship Description: MN SEED Project's mission is to create a free, locally adapted, native seed economy by hosting events teaching people how to collect, clean, share and grow native seeds to benefit ecosystems and pollinators. We have an array of community partners that we work with for co-hosting events. We are a small but mighty team that works with lots of volunteers to transform our St. Paul community through access to native plant seeds.

Sustainability Learning Opportunities: Learning about native plants is a major focus of this internship. This internship will include opportunities to assist with spring events like seed cleaning & processing and winter sowing workshops. Projects include working on seed inventories, label making, participant tracking and potentially creating content for social media and our website specifically around a new database of seeds & plants.

Modality: Some activities would be best done in-person, but some activities can be done remotely.

Hours Requested: 7-10 hours per week.

More Information: mnseedproject.org

May be a paid internship, contact the supervisor to discuss.

This position has been filled and is no longer available.

Position: Environmental Impact Intern 

Internship Description: Join our team and be part of the circular economy - encouraging reuse, repair and an alternative to traditional consumption.

MTL provides a shared space to try new things and cultivate a variety of skills - for members and staff alike. Work with a team of passionate individuals, in a relaxed and cooperative setting. The environmental Impact intern(s) will help MTL better communicate the environmental impacts of our work through research, data analysis and communication as well as provide direct support for our programming.  

• Support MTL's lending library, secondhand retail and repair-focused programming.
• Help research and communicate the Environmental Impacts of MTL’s work. Calculate Co2 Emission stats for tools in our inventory, identify and track various Waste Prevention Stats from our programming (sharing vs. ownership, repair clinics, recycling and reuse, etc.) and gather supporting qualitative data like Member Project Stories that showcase environmental stewardship.
• Communicate MTL’s environmental mission through community outreach and marketing.
• Create Content and Infographics for social media and print publication.
• Help staff outreach booths and activities with an environmental focus.
• Update Inventory Listings with environmental impact statistics.
• Help strengthen and/or forge organizational partnerships that foster further environmental education and waste reduction efforts.

Sustainability Learning Opportunities: 

• Understanding of the circular and sharing economy models and specifically the Library of Things (LOT) movement.
• Community-level climate action strategies related to reuse and resource sharing.
• Experience designing and implementing public-facing educational materials
• The option to help launch or improve sustainability initiatives from concept to community rollout. (Fix-Ins, Repair Labs/Demos, Classes, Lending Lockers, etc.)
• Experience in community engagement, outreach and partnership-building.
• Writing and creating promotional materials, web content and social media messaging.
• Exposure to grassroots sustainability organizations and nonprofit management.

More Information: mntoollibrary.org 

This position has been filled and is no longer available.

Position: Legislative Policy Intern

Internship Description: The Legislative Policy intern will help Vote Solar prepare for the 2027 Minnesota state legislative session, where we plan to pass a suite of bills to expand solar energy across the state. Work will include scheduling meetings with legislators, supporting our pre-session webinar, attending coalition strategy calls and writing a blog for our website. An ideal candidate would have interest in clean energy and learning about how grassroots advocacy influences the legislative process. 

Sustainability Learning Opportunities: An intern would have the opportunity to learn about the clean energy industry and its role in reducing emissions and transforming the energy system. Specifically they would gain more knowledge about solar and how focusing on community based solar solutions can help us transition to a world where people have more control over their energy than corporate utilities. They would also learn about how advocates and community members are working to advance sustainability and climate action through the avenue of passing state level policy. 

Modality: Internship can be done completely remotely.

More Information: votesolar.org 

Unpaid internship. Apply for Ecolab Scholarship if you meet financial need eligibility requirements.