Internships
Experiential learning through real-world solutions
The Office of Sustainability Student Internship Program provides opportunities for experiential learning and professional development while making a positive and tangible impact within the University of Georgia and Athens communities. The Office of Sustainability partners with campus and community organizations to identify real-world challenges and develop sustainable solutions. Leadership training is enhanced through collaborations with J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, UGA Career Center, and others.
Are you a student who would like to apply for a sustainability internship position?
The Office of Sustainability is committed to cultivating an inclusive and respectful workplace. All current students are welcome and encouraged to apply. Learn more about our workplace culture here.
Spring 2026 positions are open. See below for descriptions of open positions. Deadline to apply is November 4, 2025.
ACC Recycling Engagement Intern
This position will work directly with Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste & Recycling
to become a leader in sustainable material management and create a culture of zero
waste in Athens. The intern will develop a volunteer leadership program to support
zero waste events and effective diversion of hard-to-recycle materials. Candidates
should be organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated with excellent written and
verbal communication skills and a passion for people and waste reduction.
ACC Sustainability Energy Intern
This position will work directly with the Athens Clarke County Sustainability Department’s
Energy Program and Conservation Coordinator on various energy projects working towards
the goal of 100% clean and renewable energy for municipal buildings by 2035. Candidates
should be passionate about sustainability and have an interest in one of the following
categories: Fleet Electrification, Solar Energy, Energy Efficiency, Building Electrification,
or Battery Storage. Experience in project or data management is preferred but not
required.
BikeAthens Sustainability & Community Engagement Intern
This position will work directly with BikeAthens’s to promote equitable, sustainable
transportation by strengthening both community outreach and sustainable shop practices.
The intern will help develop creative educational materials, assist with events that
encourage biking, walking, and transit use, and share impact stories through digital
and in-person engagement. In the BikeAthens shop, the intern will assess and improve
sustainability efforts such as reuse systems, recycling, and materials recovery. This
role blends communications and hands-on problem-solving to demonstrate sustainability
in action across education, operations, and community impact. Preferred candidates
will be confident cyclists with experience working on bicycles.
Campus Pollinator Project & Arboretum Intern
This internship offers hands-on experience in pollinator and tree conservation efforts
on campus through the Office’s Biodiversity and Landscape Program. The intern will
provide organizational, technical, creative, and fieldwork support while working directly
with the Campus Pollinator Committee and Campus Arboretum Committee under the co-supervision
of the UGA Grounds Department and Office of Sustainability. Key responsibilities include:
1) Observing, mapping, and recording campus trees and pollinator habitats using GIS;
2) Compiling and publishing the annual Bee Campus USA certification report; 3) Assisting
with planting projects, habitat assessments, and landscape maintenance in coordination
with UGA Grounds; 4) Expanding and updating the Pollinator and Campus Arboretum websites
with relevant content; 5) Planning and executing student engagement initiatives, including
the annual UGA Pollinator Census, educational outreach programs, and volunteer events.
Ideal candidates have experience in ArcGIS and a foundational knowledge of Georgia’s
trees, plants, and pollinator species.
Circularity Planning Intern
This position will work with the Office of Sustainability and the Post Landfill Action
Network (PLAN) to create a Zero Waste Action Plan for UGA. Intern will research best
practices and coordinate with key stakeholders to develop specific strategies that
align with UGA’s zero waste vision. Project-specific proposals will include changes
in materials management infrastructure and staffing, drafting and implementation of
policies, establishing and improving standardized bins, signage and collection logistics,
and the rollout of new programs and education initiatives. Candidates should be organized,
detail-oriented, and self-motivated with excellent written and verbal communication
skills and a passion for waste reduction.
Commissioning Intern
This position will work with the UGA Office of Utility and Energy Management Commissioning
Team to enable and expand energy and fiscal management efforts. Specific tasks will
include data collection for Georgia Power energy-saving rebates, development of an
energy-saving HVAC Fault Detection and Diagnostic pilot program, campus energy-saving
estimates, and coding / programing to automate data collection and analysis procedures. The
position will also provide support for the Campus Energy & Resiliency Group (CERG),
and inter-university facilities collaboration. Candidates must be flexible, organized,
and willing to learn; able to prioritize tasks and communicate effectively; and have
a basic understanding of energy, measurement, data, and scientific/engineering calculation.
Other preferred skills include experience in Power BI and Python and/or R Studio,
as well as experience working with a variety of customers or stakeholders.
E-mobility Intern
The E-Mobility Intern supports UGA’s effort to electrify its Facilities fleet through
data analysis, mapping, computer science support, and strategic project coordination.
The intern will assist in evaluating fleet electrification opportunities, analyzing
fuel, electricity, and mileage data, tracking charger installations, and creating
data visualizations for the annual FMD Fleet Electrification Report. Work may include
using Excel, Qlik, or Power BI for analytics, engaging with shop managers and engineers
to right size, right type vehicle replacements, track vehicle energy use and performance
and site charging needs, and map charging infrastructure in ArcGIS. Ideal candidates
possess strong analytical and communication skills, a passion for sustainable transportation
and energy systems, and familiarity with tools such as Excel, Power BI, ArcGIS, or
programming experience in Python or Postman. This position also provides leadership
and coordination support to other interns, and Living Lab projects and partners advancing
UGA’s Clean Energy and Climate Solutions initiatives.
Freezer Challenge Site Coordinator Intern
This position will serve as UGA’s Site Coordinator for the International Laboratory
Freezer Challenge, a global competition to improve the efficiency of cold storage
in research laboratories. The candidate will assist campus researchers to take sustainable
actions to reduce energy use in their labs, teach researchers best practices, oversee
communications and outreach to participants, and manage all campus data related to
the Challenge. This position reports directly to the Sustainable Science and Green
Labs Program Manager and must be a self-motivated individual with the ability to work
independently. This is a two-semester internship (Spring and Fall 2026). Preferred
applicants will have laboratory experience.
Green Labs Communications & Outreach Intern
This position focuses on program outreach and bringing greater awareness of the Sustainable
Science and Green Labs program and its offerings to the UGA Research Community. The
candidate will create graphic content, outreach and education materials, maintain
the program’s social media, create newsletters and support the continued development
of communication and outreach strategies for the program. Candidates should have experience
in graphic design, communications and/or creating infographics. Experience working
with websites is a plus.
Sustainability Certificate Intern
Intern will support the Sustainability Certificate by conducting research, analyzing
data, and supporting events in addition to other duties as needed. Must be a Sustainability
Certificate Student and able to participate in an all-day event on Saturday, May 2,
2026.
(Looking for a list of current & Past interns? Please visit the OoS INTERN DIRECTORY.)
Internship Program Details
In addition to completing specific tasks related to individual internship positions, each student intern will complete the following required activities:
Semester Kick-off
Team-building gathering and dinner during an afternoon/evening before semester classes begin.
Work Plan
An individual work plan will be completed by each intern by the end of the second week of the semester. This document will be revised periodically to track project goals and expectations. The Internship Coordinator and/or direct supervisor will assist development of individualized work plans.
Weekly Cohort Meetings
Interns are required to participate in weekly meetings with fellow interns, Office of Sustainability staff, and occasional guests. Meeting topics include project updates, team building and problem-solving, leadership and professional development, and public speaking opportunities. Interns should come to meetings prepared with updates, questions, and input.
Mid-Term Evaluation
Interns evaluate their experience to date in the program and supervisors evaluate intern performance. Intern meets with the Internship Coordinator and/or primary staff supervisor to discuss evaluations.
Final Presentations
At Semester in Review, which takes place on Reading Day, four to five interns will be selected to give oral presentations about their projects. All other interns will present a poster or other display of their project during the event.
Transition Document
Interns will document work completed, key contacts, and recommended next steps to help guide future interns or related projects.
Semester-End Interview
Interns will complete a survey and evaluation of the program and their internship experience.
The Internship Coordinator is responsible for managing the overall program to ensure successful outcomes for student interns and partnering organizations. The Internship Coordinator provides direct supprt to student interns throughout their particip[ation in the program. In addition, each intern will report directly to a supervisor who will guide the intern in completing specific projects and tasks. Office of Sustainability staff are available to support and advise students throughout their internship.
Interns typically spend 10 hours per week working on a specified project and assisting the Office of Sustainability and/or patnering organizations as needed.
Interns must notify their direct supervisor and the Internship Coordinator in advance of an absence. Attendance at the weekly All Intern Meeting is a required part of this internship and is included in the 10 working hours per week; please do not schedule doctor, dentist or other appointments during this time unless you are ill.
Paid interns are required to complete an I-9 Form through Facilities Management Division Human Resources to be onboarded into the UGA payroll system. Interns will be required to provide 1) a current resume with appropriate address, 2) a passport or picture ID and Social Security Card, and 3) a UGA ID number.
Interns are paid bi-weekly as hourly employees through the OneUSG Connect System. In order to be paid, student interns must directly input their hours into their timesheet. Interns are also responsible for ensuring that their bank information and emergency contacts are up to date. Employees, including student workers, can log on to check payroll and other information through OneUSG COnnect.
All interns are asked to assist with at least one Office of Sustainability event during the semester. Events and community service opportunities will be announced throughout the semester. Interns are encouraged to support their peers and to participate in service events while also maintaining personal health and academic success.
Some degree programs require an internship. Students are encouraged to initiate opportunities for relevant academic course credit through their college or school. To date, credit internships have been arranged through the Odum School of Ecology, College of Environment + Design, College of Public Health, Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communications, and others.
Are you a campus or community partner that could benefit from a dedicated student intern?
Our Partnership for a Sustainable Athens provides meaningful support for campus and community partners working toward justice, sustainability, and resilience in the Athens area. Partners identify strategic priorities to advance their core mission.