Office of Sustainability - Energy, Climate, and Justice Internship
About the position The Opportunity: Energy, Climate, and Justice Internship College to County Intern 2026 - Office of Sustainability Pay Rate: \$24 per hour Job Type: Temporary College Intern Duration: Summer 2026 - 12 weeks - Starting in June Hours: 20 - 30 hours a week (360 hours total) Location: Hybrid In-Person at Multnomah Building - 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland OR 97214 TriMet Passes are available if transportation to County facilities is required. Eligibility requirements and more details found on our College to County website. Office of Sustainability Description: The Multnomah County Office of Sustainability was established in 2010 to help plan, implement, and coordinate the County’s environmental sustainability programs. Our mission is to work to create a just, equitable, livable, resilient, and low carbon community by centering the priorities of frontline communities and advancing sustainability efforts within the County, region, and state. We envision a community and a world where everyone experiences life in a stable climate, has a safe place to live, and can access clean air, clean water, and the resources they need to thrive. Job Task Description: The Energy, Climate, and Justice intern will support the Office of Sustainability in a variety of projects, including with a main project selected based on the intern’s interests and experience, as well as the Office’s needs. Internship tasks and options for the main project may include: Supporting county energy and recycling initiatives through community and employee outreach and education. Researching and sharing local community led climate-resilience initiatives, programs, and events. Supporting the creation and implementation of an energy affordability public information plan, including by developing trainings and materials on programs and protections available to community members. Supporting the expansion of educational resources on air quality and pollutants exposure (e.g. wood burning impacts). Supporting the implementation of the Climate Justice Plan, including baselining metrics and initiating project plans. Supporting energy policy work on formal and informal processes to improve policies and practices that support a just energy transition for Multnomah County and that foster equitable energy security and access in our community. Support the County’s internal energy and waste conservation efforts to help the County “walk its talk” on sustainability.
Responsibilities
- Supporting county energy and recycling initiatives through community and employee outreach and education.
- Researching and sharing local community led climate-resilience initiatives, programs, and events.
- Supporting the creation and implementation of an energy affordability public information plan, including by developing trainings and materials on programs and protections available to community members.
- Supporting the expansion of educational resources on air quality and pollutants exposure (e.g. wood burning impacts).
- Supporting the implementation of the Climate Justice Plan, including baselining metrics and initiating project plans.
- Supporting energy policy work on formal and informal processes to improve policies and practices that support a just energy transition for Multnomah County and that foster equitable energy security and access in our community.
- Support the County’s internal energy and waste conservation efforts to help the County “walk its talk” on sustainability.
Requirements
- Ability to follow directions, work independently and self-start projects, and seek guidance when needed
- Ability to work collaboratively and develop effective working relationships with diverse groups of people
- Eagerness to strengthen verbal and written communication skills
- Demonstrated interest on issues related to environmental, climate, or energy justice
- Eagerness to learn new skills and subject matter
Nice-to-haves
- Strong writing, research, and analytical skills
- Experience conducting monitoring and research in the field
- Experience creating charts, graphs, and other figures for reports and presentations
- Experience with spreadsheets and databases to support project activities
- Experience analyzing the impacts of potential policy decisions
- Experience with environmental policies and laws
- Experience developing effective marketing/communication messages/strategies
- Lived experience that supports the Office’s justice mission