Sustainability Intern at Walking Mountains

Avon, Colorado, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

19 Jun, 26

Salary

450.0

Posted On

21 Mar, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Environmental Sustainability, Education, Outreach, Zero Waste, Recycling, Compost, Waste Diversion, Event Staffing, Waste Stream Sorting, Public Interaction, Organization, Communication, Outdoor Work, Research, Teamwork

Industry

Environmental Services

Description

Description Sustainability Internship: Sustainability Interns gain new skills in environmental sustainability while providing education and outreach in the Eagle Valley community. Interns will learn hands-on skills in fostering sustainable behaviors while also gaining valuable experience in how mountain communities, governments, and businesses are taking action and monitoring their environmental impacts. The experiential learning focuses heavily on “Zero Waste,” recycling, compost, and waste diversion, playing a large role within Walking Mountains Waste Reduction & Diversion Program. Interns staff zero waste events throughout the summer, ranging from small community concerts to large multi-day festivals. Interns are responsible for sorting the waste stream at events and providing zero waste education and outreach to the community and vendors. In 2025, the zero waste events team coordinated 120 days of events, reaching an estimated 215,000 people. Through these events, the team diverted 73,000 pounds of waste from the landfill. Concurrently, interns have the opportunity to pursue projects within the Walking Mountains Sustainability Program Department in the following programs: Waste Reduction & Diversion Sustainable Business Training & Certification Sustainable Destination Energy & Buildings Climate Action Collaborative Sustainable Film Series This internship has an additional focus on Professional Development, provided through individual sustainability research projects, field trips, and project work with partner organizations. Interns also have the opportunity to learn about other programs within Walking Mountains. For more information about Walking Mountains please visit www.walkingmountains.org. Requirements Job Requirements Desire to educate others on sustainability initiatives while expanding personal knowledge of current sustainability trends Enthusiasm for working hands-on with environmental sustainability efforts including handling compost, waste, and recyclables ranging from 1-5 days a week Comfort with interacting publicly with a variety of people in various settings Minimum of two years completed education, preferably towards a degree related to sustainability, or equivalent relevant experience Positive, self-motivated, organized, creative, and professional individual who can work independently and as part of a team Ability to effectively work on diverse teams Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion Excellent oral and written communication skills Work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, and at times over 8 hours in a day Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, and lift up to 50 pounds A valid driver’s license and transportation Must be able to perform the job requirements satisfactorily, as they generally represent the knowledge, skill and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job requirements. Desired Qualifications: Education and/or training in a specific sustainability subject Spanish language skills (verbal and/or written) Work Environment: This position is based out of the Walking Mountains office in Avon, Eagle County, Colorado. Zero waste events are primarily outdoors in a variety of weather conditions across the Eagle Valley. Project work is typically done indoors in an open office environment. Duration of Position: 40 hours/week starting May 20, 2026 and ending October 5, 2026 Compensation: Shared housing in Avon, CO plus $450 weekly stipend Application Deadline: April 1st 2026

Responsibilities

Interns will gain hands-on skills in fostering sustainable behaviors, focusing heavily on 'Zero Waste,' recycling, compost, and waste diversion by staffing zero waste events, sorting waste streams, and providing education to the community and vendors. They will also have opportunities to pursue projects within various sustainability program departments.