The following are summer positions or unfilled semester positions that are still available.
Students: If you are interested in learning more about the position or applying, please contact the mentor/organization directly. You can view contact info by clicking the "More" button under each project.
Client: Orange County Solid Waste Management
Recycling Stars Internship
The “Recycling Stars”
Program with Orange County Solid Waste Management has been ongoing since May of
2022. The main goal of the program is to educate residents about recycling and improve
the overall quality and quantity of recyclables collected from households
around the County. Residents recycling properly are rewarded through star
stickers. Residents not recycling properly receive ‘oops’ tags, personalized
contamination letters, and other educational materials.
Teams of inspectors go
out to evaluate the recycling carts, collect data, assist with communications
to residents, and help make sure the program runs smoothly.
The program involves a
hands-on educational approach to educate residents on what can/can’t be
recycled in Orange County curbside carts along with creating awareness around
the harmful impacts of contamination.
An intern will be a part
time inspector and part time data analyst, gaining both experience in the field
and data management. They would help with the collection, input and analysis of
data from the cart evaluations.
Project Location: Chapel Hill and some remote
Project Level: Entry Level
Project Type
Internship
Skills Desired
Valid driver’s license
preferred
Strong oral and written
communication skills
Excellent program
management skills
Proficiency in both
Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite programs
Capability with GIS
database program is a plus
Be motivated to improve
recycling in Orange County
Project Deliverables
Collaborate on a GIS and
data monitoring program to track the stage of the recycling evaluation to be
carried on by future interns
Collaborate on a
streamlined contamination inspection and recording process
Collect and analyze data
from STARS program
Minimize contamination
through education efforts
Track common contaminants
and rate of contaminants
Improve communication
efforts
Funding$17.65/hr
Comments:
Work will primarily be done mornings in person from 7am-11am.
It's a plus if intern is able to work occasional community events.
Accepted interns will need to fill out a county application and paperwork.
Contact Information
For more information about this project, please contact:
Rachel Potts
rpotts@orangecountync.gov
About this Organization
Total EcoStudio projects since 2018: 35
Projects led by this mentor: 17
Client: Orange County Solid Waste Management
Multifamily Recycling Internship
The “Multifamily Reusable
Bag Program” with Orange County Solid Waste Management is a project aimed at
reducing contamination in multifamily recycling carts. Through continuous
education efforts, residents living in multifamily housing receive information
and resources that help them understand county recycling guidelines and how to
recycle right. Educational resources include reusable, washable tote bags
fitted with county guidelines, informational flyers, and signage at their
recycling sites.
The main goal of the
program is to educate residents about recycling and improve the quality of
recyclables collected from multifamily around the county. Contamination is a
common and challenging issue at multifamily recycling sites, especially due to
plastic bags. The reusable tote bags are a convenient and effective way for
residents to collect and transport their recyclables to the carts.
Interns go out to various
sites to update cart decals, evaluate the recycling carts, collect data, deliver
tote bags, assist with communications to property managers, and help make sure
the program runs smoothly.
Communications and data
management will be key as interns will be responsible for interacting with
residents and property managers and updating and organizing program documents.
Project Location: Chapel Hill and Remote
Project Level: Entry Level
Project Type
Internship
Skills Desired
Valid driver’s license required
Strong oral and written
communication skills
Excellent program
management skills
Proficiency in both
Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite programs
Self-motivated and able
to work independently
Be motivated to improve
recycling in Orange County
Project Deliverables
Collaborate on a
streamlined contamination inspection and recording process.
Collaborate on a data collection
and analysis protocol to be carried out by future interns.
Collaborate on strategies
for improvement and implementation.
Minimize contamination
through education efforts.
Track common contaminants
and rate of contaminants.
Maintain consistency with
all program requirements.
Improve communication
efforts.
Submit weekly summary of
work and hours at the end of the week.
Funding$17.65/hr
Comments:
Work can be done when it
fits student’s schedule
It's a plus if intern is
able to work occasional community events.
Accepted interns will
need to fill out a county application and paperwork
Contact Information
For more information about this project, please contact:
Rachel Potts
rpotts@orangecountync.gov
About this Organization
Total EcoStudio projects since 2018: 35
Projects led by this mentor: 17
Client: Orange County Solid Waste Management
Waste Reduction and Management Internship
Orange County Solid Waste
Management (OCSWM) operates single-stream recycling, food waste diversion, and
other material recycling programs for residents, businesses, and institutions
in Orange County. We’re seeking a passionate and detail-oriented intern to join
the OCSWM Education and Outreach Team and gain hands-on experience helping the County
achieve its ambitious goal to be zero waste by 2045. The intern will have the
opportunity to learn about and work on a variety of programs, understand the
role of local government in waste management and reduction, and experience the
relationship between the public and private sector.
The intern will be assigned to support two of our commercial waste diversion programs: Food Waste Stars and Glass on the Side (GOTS):
Food Waste Stars helps restaurants and other businesses divert food waste and other organic materials from landfill through a County-supported composting program.
Glass on the Side (GOTS) improves commercial glass recycling through separate collection for bars, restaurants, and similar businesses that produce a high volume of glass.
Possible duties and
responsibilities include the creation and distribution of educational
materials, developing social media and digital content, conducting
contamination audits and outreach to improve recycling and composting, building
and maintaining program tracking databases, and assisting Solid Waste staff at
community events. Ultimate project duties will depend on the strengths and
skillset of the chosen intern.
Project Location: Chapel Hill and Remote
Project Level: Entry Level
Project Type
Internship
Skills Desired
·
Strong oral and
written communication skills, including comfort communicating with the public
·
Excellent program
management skills
·
Proficiency in
both Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite programs
·
Proficiency in
Canva or other graphic design software is a plus
·
Knowledge of reuse
and waste reduction techniques, recycling, and/or composting is a plus
·
Motivation to
improve recycling, composting, and waste reduction in Orange County
Project Deliverables
Food Waste Stars: The
intern will conduct education and outreach to increase participation in the
Food Waste Stars program and support businesses in composting correctly. The
intern will gain knowledge of the economic, social, and environmental benefits
of composting and food waste diversion to educate residents, businesses, and
institutions.
GOTS: The intern will conduct education and outreach with commercial businesses throughout the County to increase participation in the GOTS program. Additionally, the intern may visit and engage with businesses to boost participation and help identify and troubleshoot contamination issues through site visits. The intern will gain an understanding of specialty recycling programs in Orange County, including County guidelines and system operations, to educate residents, businesses, and institutions on how to recycle right in Orange County.
Deliverables for GOTS and Food Waste Stars may include: informational letters for residents and businesses, educational materials, social media posts, or building and maintaining program databases to track participation.
Additionally, interns will submit a weekly summary of work and hours at the end of the week.
Funding$17.65/hr
Comments:
Valid driver's license preferred.
Work can be done when it fits student's schedule.
Accepted interns will need to fill out a county application and paperwork.
Contact Information
For more information about this project, please contact:
Allie Omens
aomens@orangecountync.gov
About this Organization
Total EcoStudio projects since 2018: 35
Projects led by this mentor: 0
Client: Town of Chapel Hill
Stormwater Education Intern
The Town of Chapel Hill is looking for curious, self-motivated students who are interested in preventing water pollution. Students in this position will teach the public how to nurture deeper connections to the world around them while protecting our local streams from pollution.
In this position, students will learn about protecting our local waterways from the lens of local government. The purpose of this position is to assist with creating and managing opportunities for public involvement and education in support of the mission and goals of the Town's Stormwater Management Division.
Project Location: Chapel Hill, hybrid
Project Level: Entry Level
Project Type
Internship
Skills Desired
To be considered for an internship position with Chapel Hill Stormwater, candidates must:
The following content knowledge can be helpful but is not required:
Project Deliverables
Fall 2025 students will work on these core projects:
This is a flexible position that is tailored to student interests and skills. All interns are required to develop a professional portfolio to track deliverables and lessons learned. The semester will end with us fine-tuning your resume, cover letters, and job interview questions.
Unpaid internship
Comments:
Our spring 2025 intern's take on why this internship is worthwhile: "This internship is a really great way to have a deep dive of your own community here in Chapel Hill where you work on projects that have a real-life impact and gain skills that are transferable to all kinds of jobs in the private and public sectors"
Contact Information
For more information about this project, please contact:
Sammy Bauer
sbauer@townofchapelhill.org
About this Organization
Total EcoStudio projects since 2018: 23
Projects led by this mentor: 16
The Molchanov Scholars Program is an endowed internship program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Institute for the Environment. The program is a partnership between the UNC Institute for the Environment and environmentally-focused small businesses, non-profit organizations and government institutions in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Each summer undergraduate students are matched with an environmental internship where they gain hands-on, professional training. Each Molchanov Scholar receives a $5,000 stipend to support their summer experience.
CDS has a website for internship opportunities. There's an interest form when active listings aren't available, as well.
These are other internship opportunities that we've heard of that may be of interest to our students. You will need to contact and apply to each organization and opportunity separately. We'll do our best to keep this page up-to-date, but there may be some opportunities that have already expired.
Undergraduate Internships and Fellowships: Find opportunities to conduct authentic research through internship programs across the country
This listing includes all kinds of opportunities for students at every grade level. You can filter the results to just show what you want. Also check out the NOAA undergraduate scholarships, because they have some paid internships listed here.
Check out the Resource Assistants Program. All RAP interns receive Direct Hire Authority (DHA) at the successful conclusion of their internship, which is a useful tool that can help with future employment in a federal agency.
Kay Blada Recycling is a 501(c)(3) certified non-profit, founded in 2015 and dedicated to alleviating poverty and cleaning up plastic waste in Haiti, while providing environmental education to the children of the community.
NCPIRG Students is a student organization that works with UNC students to protect the environment, and promote civic engagement. This Fall our priority campaign is our New Voters Project, where we will be working with the student government and other student groups this fall to make sure no one misses Election Day. We have virtual volunteer and internship opportunities doing outreach, organizing events, and spreading the world through media and social media. Click here to sign up for an information session and apply.
Interns and volunteers support office administration, attend events at the UN as Peace Boat US representatives, support campaigns, projects, and educational programs through outreach efforts, and write news and blog articles about our activities. Especially valuable skills and qualities include being multi-lingual (Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, and Japanese are especially helpful), graphic design, networking, photography, communications, public speaking, and very importantly, a passion to support the issues that Peace Boat US works on.
Let us know if you want us to list your position by emailing ecostudio@unc.edu
Send an email to ecostudio@unc.edu.
