Position Title: Compost Systems Specialist
Reports to: Kenzie Jackson
Hours/Week: 15-20
Internship Date Range: 4/14/25- 8/31/25
Location: Main Campus, work sites across Tucson
About the Resilience Internships and Student Experiences (RISE) Program
The RISE Program is hosted by the Arizona Institute for Resilience (AIR) and provides undergraduate and graduate students with paid internships related to resilient environments and societies. RISE internships give students experience in workplace settings with an opportunity to grow their interpersonal skills and prepare them for careers after graduation.
About the Office of Sustainability:
As a Tier 1 research and land-grant institution, the University of Arizona addresses global challenges through research and teaching and translates research into action. The U of A uses its campus as a living laboratory to pilot and implement innovative, place-based solutions that advance sustainability. The Office of Sustainability furthers this progress by elevating and institutionalizing best practices in sustainable operations and development. We work across the university to build relationships and networks that foster a culture of sustainability. We also provide student, faculty, staff, and community engagement opportunities, offering unique and meaningful experiences.
Internship summary:
The University of Arizona Office of Sustainability Compost Cats Program seeks three highly qualified undergraduate or graduate students to assist with day-to-day operations. This includes, but is not limited to, the creation and management of compost/composting systems, waste management, K-12 and community-focused STEM programming/curricula, trainings for commercial business employees, potential operation of small-scale equipment for organic materials processing, collection and reporting of data to the Public Education Coordinator, and the Outreach Coordinator, auditing and/or decontamination of food waste loads (please be prepared to get dirty), participation in zero-waste effort events, and more. The successful candidates will inform and inspire the Tucson community about food waste reduction, materials cycling, soil health, sustainable agriculture, and environmental stewardship.
Internship description:
You must be a currently enrolled University of Arizona student, with a graduation date of December 2025 or later, to be considered for this position.
This position does not require prior experience or knowledge in composting or sustainability. All skills and required knowledge will be provided by the Compost Cats program and the Office of Sustainability.
Responsibilities:
- Complete required university, safety, and operation trainings (10-25+ paid hours);
- Design and maintain small compost systems, operate small-scale equipment, and collect samples and data;
- Conduct introductory, experiential composting workshops and trainings for a range of audiences, including K-12 students, adult community members, and business partners;
- Develop and conduct virtual and in-person trainings for local businesses and community partners (FoodCycle Program participants);
- Attend weekly general employee meetings and other meetings as assigned;
- Maintain clear and open lines of communication with everyone in the program, particularly the Coordinators, and any relevant student leadership positions;
- Early morning, evening, and weekend work will be required;
- Take part in educational events, presentations, special projects, events, film screenings, and other occasional/periodic campus and community happenings (when appropriate);
Required Qualifications:
- Valid driver’s license and successful completion of the U of A defensive driver training is required;
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to positively represent Compost Cats and the Office of Sustainability to our campus and community stakeholders;
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including a strong proficiency in public speaking;
- Ability to push, pull, or lift 25 pounds individually and 50 pounds or more in cooperation with another employee is required;
- Ability to work outdoors in extreme cold or warm weather;
- Ability to work 4+ hours in an outdoor setting;
- Must be available to work in-person;
- Must be available to work in-person early days and weekends with advance notice.
Preferred Qualifications (highly desirable, but not required):
- Access to personal vehicle - must be able to provide your own transportation to various off-site locations;
- Background/interest in sustainability and/or environmental conservation/management;
- Experience in writing grants, marketing communications, media releases, business reports and/or outreach materials, or similar documents;
- Experience/interest in public education, community engagement, and volunteer recruitment activities;
- Experience with irrigation installation and maintenance.
Program Location: Office of Sustainability (ENR2 N495); off-campus demonstration/educational & training sites (including, but not limited to the University of Arizona Community Garden, Los Reales Landfill, Tucson Village Farm, Cooper Center for Environmental Learning, local schools and businesses, etc.)
Compensation:
The intern will be hired and paid by the University of Arizona. The pay rate is $18/hour for 11 hours/week. Additional hours will be available at a compensation rate of $15/hour.
How to Apply:
Applicants must be active U of A students enrolled in at least 6 credits. The intern will be hired as a U of A student employee. Student employees are limited to 25 hours/week (20 hours/week for international students) across ALL U of A positions.
International students should consult with International Student Services (ISS) if work authorization is needed before securing an internship. ISS advising information can be found here.
To be selected for an interview, you must provide a resume and cover letter. Please send your resume and cover letter directly to the Office of Sustainability Outreach Coordinator, Kenzie Jackson at makenziejackson@arizona.edu. Resumes and cover letters must be sent with the subject line “RISE Application_ [First and Last Name]”.
If you need support in crafting a Cover Letter or Resume for this position or assistance in strengthening your interview skills, please reach out to the team at Student Engagement and Career Development. They provide free guidance and coaching as a service to all current University of Arizona students.
https://www.career.arizona.edu/jobs/resumes
https://www.career.arizona.edu/jobs/interviewing
Applications must be submitted no later than March 23rd, 2025.