Open Positions

The Office of Sustainability is seeking a student to support development and implementation of an institutional carbon neutrality strategy. Particular focus will be given to tracking scope 3 emissions, including business travel emissions, commuting emissions, purchased goods and services emissions, emissions associated with generated waste, and carbon offset strategy. In regard to air travel and commuting emissions, the student will build on an existing body of research and develop an accurate estimation model. In regard to carbon offsets, the University is currently in the early stages of exploring a potential carbon offset strategy as both a buyer and a seller. The prospective intern will be involved in all parts of the process, including research, strategy, project verification, and project monitoring. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Gather air travel data and calculate emissions for business travel and student travel to and from the University each semester
• Gather commuting data and calculate emissions for daily travel and from the University
• Analyze carbon offset methodologies, including those published by the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) to understand potential applications for WashU
• Communications – Prepare and present carbon offset material to administration and key stakeholders
• Research and synthesis – Follow current trends in the carbon offset space and develop reports and presentations on relevant topics
• Carbon offset documentation – Complete project related forms and excel models 
• Carbon offset monitoring – Prepare monitoring documentation and submit to verifying body 
• Assess potential carbon offset purchases from a quality and cost perspective, and monitor active projects to ensure quality 

Preferred Skills /Knowledge

• Basic working knowledge of carbon offsets and various scopes of carbon emissions
• Basic understanding of markets, supply/demand, and drivers of cost
• Familiarity with Excel and PowerPoint
• Comfortability seeking and synthesizing information from multiple sources
• Comfortability reaching out to and communicating with a range of stakeholders
• Quantitative analysis

The Office of Sustainability seeks to foster a food system that advances environmental and public health while supporting a strong local economy. The Food Associates facilitate this process in partnership with Office of Sustainability staff, WashU Dining Services, and other campus stakeholders.

The Associate will support a variety of food-related initiatives and assist with tracking report metrics that will improve transparency and accountability in the university food system. Duties may include: organizing events; supporting staff training; conducting peer institution research; promoting participation in the Community Supported Agriculture program, available at Danforth, School of Medicine, and West Campuses; and providing support to the Medical Campus Farmers Market. The associates promote the Office’s efforts through tabling, flyers, social media, and e-newsletter stories.

Skills / Qualifications: 

• Proficiency with MS Word and Excel
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including presentation and public speaking skills
• Ability to approach challenges creatively and problem solve
• Experience with event planning and creating promotional materials (PowerPoints, graphics, flyers, etc.)
• Commitment to supporting local and sustainable food options
• Knowledge of and interest in the environmental and public health impacts of food choices
• Ability to interact professionally and confidently with university staff members
• Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision

The Office of Sustainability plays a lead role developing renewable energy projects for the University. The Renewable Energy Associate will work closely with staff to explore renewable energy project opportunities including on-site solar PV and solar thermal projects, as well as off-site wind projects. Projects will vary in scale from large-scale projects that generate a lot of energy to smaller-scale projects with a strong research component. Tasks will include: gathering information about and assessing the viability of potential sites, researching options for structuring projects, and interaction with professionals in the field.

Skills / Qualifications:

• Proficiency with MS Word and Excel
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to approach challenges creatively and problem solve
• Knowledge of renewable energy technologies, policy, financials, and/or project development
• Ability to interact professionally and confidently with University staff and external consultants
• Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision
• Project management experience preferred

Student Associates will engage in a broad range of research and analysis for implementing the vision and goals for the university’s sustainability-related strategic plan. Specific areas of interest include energy & emissions, alternative transportation, waste, food & dining, and equity/anti-racism. Associates will work collaboratively in groups on projects with oversight from the Office of Sustainability team. In addition, logistical support of working group committees (meeting scheduling, note taking, meeting follow up, etc.) will be required as needed.

Skills / Qualifications:

• Basic knowledge of and passion for sustainability issues
• Ability to conduct research to evaluate and synthesize different strategies and ideas
• Systems thinker
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with MS Word and Excel, design experience with the Adobe Creative Suite is a plus
• Ability to interact professionally and confidently with University staff members
• Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision
• Works well in a group setting

The Office of Sustainability is seeking a practicum student (or students) to lead efforts to build on the 12-year success of the Share Our Stuff program that collects and recirculates materials from student move out after the close of the academic year. The program coordinator will guide and develop the program, channeling new resources (a physical warehouse space and store) to achieve greater social and environmental impact for the WashU and St. Louis communities. The coordinator will develop standard operating procedures for program operations, evaluation and assessment tools, annual reports for leadership, and marketing materials. In addition, the coordinator will support program operations and logistics, in collaboration with staff from the Office of Sustainability, Campus Mail, the Office of Government and Community Relations, Residential Life, and other program stakeholders.

Successful applicant and supervisor will work out a mutually-agreeable schedule, which could be part-time or full-time in scope. While some work can be done remotely and on a flexible schedule, significant portions of the position may require in-person work during business hours. Work locations include the Circularity Center (warehouse and store on WashU’s North Campus, 700 Rosedale), the Office of Sustainability (Schnuck Pavilion on the Danforth Campus), and various networking meetings with campus and community partners (though these will likely be mostly remote). At least 1 1-hour meeting with supervisor and student will occur weekly through the duration of the engagement, at a mutually agreeable time during the work week.

In addition, the practicum students will be encouraged to participate in the Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change internship program, which provides interdisciplinary professional development and social experiences with undergraduate and graduate students working in internship positions through WashU.

Fully engaged students will gain a broad range of hands-on experience that mirror non-profit and start-up social enterprise contexts with the resources and support of a large institution.

Preferred skills, qualifications, and characteristics

Some combination of coursework and experience in the following areas are desired, though not all are required to apply:

• Self-starter, independently motivated, entrepreneurial spirit
• Working knowledge of sustainability and “circular economies”
• Program evaluation and assessment design
• Basic marketing and communication concepts
• Highly organized and talented at setting up systems
• Networking and stakeholder mapping
• Familiarity with WashU networks and administration and/or environmental or social service organizations active in the St. Louis area
• Retail experience
• Data tracking and reporting

To apply, send a letter of interest and resume to cassandra.hage@wustl.edu. Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Washington University in St. Louis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

Dates: Spring semester 2024; Summer 2024; Fall 2024

Positions available: 1-2 positions per semester. Preference towards candidates that are able to stay in the position for multiple semesters.

Compensation: Students fulfilling practicum hours through work at the Office of Sustainability will be compensated up $1000 per credit hour, up to three credit hours per term.

Supervision: Reports to the Assistant Director of the Office of Sustainability

Eligibility: Students pursuing practicum hours for a MSW Concentration, MPH or MSP

Overview: Support student move out collections through the Share Our Stuff (SOS) program, including sorting donated material for community partners, student reuse, and sales; and overseeing sales and donation transactions at events. Retail and organization skills are a bonus! Work will take place at Mudd MPR (S40) and the Circularity Center (North Campus, 700 Rosedale Ave.)

Compensation: $13/hr

Time Commitment: Flexible scheduling May 1 – June 1 and August 16 – Sept 3. Hours and schedule are flexible and will be negotiated with the hired student.

Send a letter of interest to cassandra.hage@wustl.edu by May 10 for early summer dates and by June 30 for late summer dates.