Intern - Energy and Sustainability Intern

SNOHOMISH COUNTY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Snohomish County supports internship programs that provide work experience for students in an accredited post-secondary institution that is related to their course of study.  The internship programs is designed so that the student will have the opportunity to apply principles and theories learned in the classroom, gain new skills, explore a career path and be supervised and mentored by a professional in their field.

The student may choose to receive scholastic credit for their internship in accordance to the guidelines set by their school. 

The internship will not:

• result in the displacement of regular employees;
• fill a vacant position;
• primarily be clerical in nature, unless the students program of study is in office administration or a similar program.

If the internship is paid, the position is considered a temporary appointment.   Temporary appointment of any individual shall not exceed 1,040 hours during a 12-month period. The temporary employment of an intern who is enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution will be permitted. Conditions of employment including salary, hours of work and length of employment will be determined by agreement between the county and the college or university. The Human Resources director will be notified in writing by the department head of all such agreements.

BASIC FUNCTION

Provide general program assistance to Snohomish County’s Office of Energy and Sustainability as a part of their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy and water consumption, and waste generation.

STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

1. Utility data tracking, management, and benchmarking - Assist with tracking energy, water, and waste data for county buildings and facilities. This will include working with departments to set-up accounts in EPA’s EnergyStar Portfolio Manager. Establish accounts in EnergyStar Portfolio Manager; work with utility companies to obtain account and meter information; conduct on-site building walk-thrus, and reading as-built drawings to find utility meters, and other research as needed to maintain accurate information.  
2. EnergySmart Loan Program data management – Assist with collection and input of residential energy loan program data to calculate the deemed energy savings from program retrofit measures.
3. Green purchasing data management – Help develop methods for tracking and reporting the County’s ‘green’ purchases under the new Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy (EPP).   
    

1. Recycling program - Assist with the management and implementation of the County’s in-house recycling program, including: conducting surveys of existing recycling infrastructure and where infrastructure is needed, developing resources and implementation plans for responsible recycling of various items, etc.
2. Report writing – Assist with writing reports, case studies, memos, etc.
3. Other energy and sustainability related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
  
Must be able to show proof of enrollment in an accredited post-secondary institution at the time of the Internship.  If the Internship occurs during the summer, the student must provide proof of future enrollment. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The Energy and Sustainability Intern requires a high proficiency in Microsoft Excel and good data management and analysis skills. The Energy and Sustainability Intern should also have working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
 

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• the principles and practices of public administration;
• the organization, structure and function of county government;
• energy, environmental sustainability and climate change issues and best practices;
• business writing and report preparation;
• application of relevant federal, state and local laws, codes, rules, regulations and guidelines;
• research and analysis techniques.

Increase Intern Ability to:
 

• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with diverse populations;
• prepare clear and concise written reports and presentations;
• prioritize and resolve problems;
• exercise initiative and judgment and make decisions within the scope of assigned responsibility;
• establish and maintain effective work relationships with elected officials, department heads, associates, subordinates and the general public;
• analyze and solve work related problems.

SUPERVISION

Employees in this classification receive direction from a supervisor as assigned. Assignments are made indicating generally what is to be done, the quantity of work expected, and any deadlines which are required to be met.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The majority of the work is performed in the usual office environment.