Technical Internship (Solid Waste Division)

Job Description

***NOTE*** To be considered for this position, please apply at the Skagit County Job Opportunity site:

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/skagitwa/default.cfm

Job Summary

A technical internship is available with the Skagit County Public Works Department in the Solid Waste Division. This internship is only available to candidates that are actively enrolled in a college level, degree-oriented program. Eligibility to remain within the employment of this Internship ends within one quarter after graduating, or unless the candidate enrolls in another college level, degree-oriented program (e.g., graduate program) within this same timeframe. Internship schedules may consist of part-time work during the academic year (flexible up to 70 hours per month) and requires 40 hours per week during the summer months [June to September, while not in classes] (for a maximum of four months in a year, with the remaining hours worked to be less than 70 hours a month).

Generally, the duties of the Solid Waste Division Technical Intern include performing a variety of field and office activities in support of the Skagit County Master Composter Recycler Volunteer Program, Litter Prevention, Recycling Collection Events, Zero Waste Events Program, Skagit Plastic Reduction and Recycling Coalition, 2021 Plastics Law, Washington’s Single Use Bag Ban, Inter-Departmental Compost Procurement Tracking Program, Use Food Well Washington Plan, 2022 Washington Organics Management Law, and other Waste Reduction and Recycling outreach efforts.

Salary Upon Hire is $15.74 per hour.

Essential Functions:

• Assist with facilitation of Master Composter Recycler Volunteer Program volunteer training and continuing education opportunities.
• Assist with volunteer recruitment and coordination for the Master Composter Recycler Volunteer Program.
• Assist with the design and set up of educational displays.
• Provide support at various outreach events such as fairs, festivals, and farmers markets.
• Assist with coordination and reporting for the Zero Waste Events Program.
• Assist with development and coordination of recycling collection events.
• Assist with the development and implementation of outreach activities and materials, including the utilization of media toolkits provided by the Washington State Department of Ecology.
• Assist with the development of education curriculum.
• Develop and maintain media content for Solid Waste Division’s social media platforms.
• Develop media content for websites, newsletters, flyers, and fact sheets.
• Provide help with general administration, cleaning, building organization, file organization, scanning, data entry, report writing, community outreach, and email communications.

Supervisory:

None

Other Job Functions:

May be tasked with performing related duties. Related duties as required are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires knowledge of:

• Continued, active enrollment in a college-level, degree-oriented program with an emphasis on ecological studies, environmental education, natural resource sciences, sustainability, journalism, graphic design, and/or communications.
• Basic knowledge of recycling and waste diversion, and materials management practices.
• Social media platforms such as Facebook, Nextdoor, and Instagram.

Requires the ability to:

• Operate standard office equipment including computer and applicable software including Microsoft Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Have and maintain a valid Washington State driver’s license.
• Comfortably speak and present information to the public.
• Work with people in a courteous manner.
• Work as part of a team and independently at times.
• Become familiar with toolkits developed by the Washington State Department of Ecology such as the Bag Ban Toolkit, Litter Prevention Partner Toolkit, and Use Food Well Washington Plan.
• Seek out opportunities to reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost throughout the scope of work.

Licenses and/or Certifications:
None

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to stand, walk, and climb on sites with uneven terrain for extended periods, lift and/or carry outreach equipment or gear up to 40 pounds, and have sufficient hand-eye coordination to operate computers and equipment. Work performed will be a combination of office and field environments.

Hazards:

Those present in a normal office environment and hazards likely to be encountered in rural and remote field sampling locations and those typically encountered when sampling surface water from streams and rivers.

Supplemental Information:

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.
Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination with regard to race, color religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status and/or physical or mental disability in its employment practices.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice: Individuals, who need an ADA accommodation to complete the application, test, or interview process, please call: (360) 336-9433.