Intern, Zero Waste Intern

CITY OF SUNNYVALE, CA
Sunnyvale, California United States  View Map
Posted: May 30, 2026
  • Salary: $19.50 - $26.95 Hourly USD
  • Full Time
  • Internship
  • Sanitation and Solid Waste
  • Job Description

    Description

    ZERO WASTE INTERN

    SOLID WASTE DIVISIONS

    PART-TIME INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
    Casual non-benefited employees are limited to working no more than twenty-five (25) hours per week and no more than 900 hours in a fiscal year (July 1-June 30).

    A paid intern position is available within the Environmental Services Department. The position is an excellent part-time or full-time opportunity for an individual with interest in public service and environmental work. Current student enrollment is not required.

    Enrichment Opportunities
    • Learn about the City’s FoodCycle program and how to increase program participation with multi-family residents
    • Gain skills and strategies in effective communication and behavior change
    • Help expand awareness and develop outreach for a Citywide reusable foodware campaign


    Essential Job Functions

    Essential Job Functions

    The Zero Waste Intern will focus on two primary projects: increasing multi-family dwelling (MFD) resident participation in the FoodCycle program, and creating an outreach campaign on reusable foodware in Sunnyvale.

    Multi-Family FoodCycle Project:
    • Review consultant’s final Multi-Family FoodCycle report and become familiar with next steps in implementation plan.
    • Select a statistically significant number of complexes to conduct visual audit of food scraps bin prior to conducting knock-and-talks.
    • Develop a knock-and-talk script in coordination with consultant for visiting MFDs that are 5-99 units in size.
    • Work with consultant to get trained in best approach to conducting knock-and-talks.
    • Determine reasonable completion rate (successful 1:1 with resident with completion of script message) and meet completion rate goal.
    • Assist with labeling bins as needed.
    • Create design for new sorting signage and research vendors to make durable, weatherproof signs
    • Assist with the development of an educational MFD doorhanger including messaging and working with graphic designer; coordinate with Print Shop for printing.
    • Assist Specialty with hanging doorhangers at all MFD’s 5-99 units.
    • Assist with development of evaluation methodology to determine effectiveness of actions and outreach.
    • Upon completion of project, write a final report and prepare a slide deck to share with ESD Director which includes recommendations for future outreach methods and implementation.

    Reusable Foodware Project:
    • Review Reusables Project Implementation report and become familiar with next steps.
    • Visit coffee shops and cafes (around 20) and speak to managers about ways to promote customers’ use of personal cups. This includes signage, store promotion, ordering options and coordinating tabling in front of the business.
    • Tabling at 50% of the coffee shops/cafes as well as the Farmer’s Market and other relevant events.
    • Assist in the development of city-wide outreach, including flyers, store signage and social media posts. Develop a scheduling plan for a six-month campaign.
    • Assist with development of evaluation methodology to determine effectiveness of actions and outreach.
    • Upon completion of project, write a final report and prepare a slide deck to share with ESD Director which includes recommendations for future outreach methods and implementation.

    WORKING CONDITIONS
    Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on level, uneven, and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard and certain tools. The position also requires near and far vision when reading written work related documents and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal customer service. The need to lift, drag, carry, and push equipment, tools and supplies up to 50 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

    Minimum Qualifications

    The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in one of the following ways:

    High school graduation or GED equivalent, AND
    completion of at least one course in Environmental Studies, Communications or a related field

    • Interest in Environmental Studies and willingness to learn.
    • Positive work attitude, reliable and responsible.
    • Ability to communicate concisely and effectively.
    • Proficient computer skills with basic knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and OneDrive.
    • Experience creating social media posts for an organization a plus

    Desirable Qualifications:
    Bilingual in Spanish preferred

    Licenses/Certificates:

    Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California driver's license and a safe driving record, or the ability to provide alternate transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.

    Application and Selection Process

    APPLICATION PROCESS
    The application submitted must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the job description in order to move forward in the recruitment process with the City of Sunnyvale. The information provided in the Work Experience, Education, and Certificates/Licenses sections of the application will be used to determine if the application meets the minimum qualifications. A resume, employment history provided elsewhere in the application, or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of the completed application.

    Note: The minimum qualifications for experience are based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Experience included in the Work Experience section of the application is calculated to the full-time equivalent (hours are pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week). Volunteer experience is not considered qualifying experience.

    If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources as soon as possible.

    Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on JOBS. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

    SELECTION PROCESS
    Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, qualified candidate applications will be forwarded to the hiring department for review. Application materials will be evaluated for job-related skills, experience, and education. Individuals with the best match to the position will be invited to participate in an interview. This job posting may close without notice.

    Any candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City-selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Position which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre- employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

    INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION

    Any successful candidate, selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e. original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). A candidate with education obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate's expense to determine its equivalency in the United States. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search ‘education equivalency verification’ or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service.
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    For more information regarding this employment opportunity, contact Bailey Hall, Environmental Programs Specialist at 408-730-7782 or email Bhall@sunnyvale.ca.gov. For more information relating to the application process contact Faye Brand, Human Resources Technician at (408) 730-3015 or email: fbrand@sunnyvale.ca.gov .

    The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

    The City of Sunnyvale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Sunnyvale not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion (including religious dress or grooming practice), color, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, breastfeeding or medical conditions related to breastfeeding), gender identity and/or gender expression, sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), ethnic or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, family relationship, age, cancer or HIV/AIDS related medical condition, genetic characteristics and/or genetic information, and physical or mental disability.

    No City benefits are offered with this Temporary Position.

    Closing Date/Time: Continuous
  • ABOUT THE COMPANY

    • City of Sunnyvale
    • City of Sunnyvale

    Welcome to Sunnyvale: The Heart of the Silicon Valley Visitors and residents enjoy Sunnyvale’s beautiful, clean suburban setting, efficient, high-quality city services, low crime rate, quality schools and prize-winning parks. Through its innovative and cost effective Public Safety Department concept, which combines traditional fire and police functions into one department, the city offers its citizens and businesses an award-winning record of safety and efficiency. City departments include: City Manager, City Attorney, Community Development, Environmental Services, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Library & Community Services, Public Safety (an innovative Police/Fire combination), and Public Works. The City also staffs the NOVA Workforce, which provides regional job-training programs to residents of Sunnyvale, San Mateo County and six other local municipalities. Sunnyvale’s commitment to every citizen within the community sets it apart. High quality parks, a full-service library, promotion of cultural arts activities and strong support for maintenance and repair of public facilities reflect this commitment. A wide variety of cultural and artistic events take place within the City, including the annual Art & Wine Festival, the Summer Wednesday Night Music Series, Jazz & Beyond Music Series, Hands on the Arts children’s art fair, a weekly year-round farmer’s market, and downtown holiday events. Additionally, the historic downtown business district is a vibrant commercial and entertainment hub.

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Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com Job Board.