Resource Recovery Internship - UT Surplus Reuse Store (Saturday) - Part-time

Job Posting Title:

Resource Recovery Internship - UT Surplus Reuse Store (Saturday)

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Hiring Department:

Facilities Services

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

10

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FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until May 30, 2026

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Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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Job Details:

General Notes

Open to Work Study and Non-Work Study
To Apply: Submit resume & cover letter (as PDFs). For your cover letter, please copy and paste the following questions. Be sure to keep the same numbering and formatting when answering. Answer each one in 1-2 paragraphs (approximately 100-200 words).

1. Please tell us why you want to participate in the Resource Recovery Student Internship Program.
2. What are you hoping to get out of this position?
3. What skills or experiences do you have that would make you a good fit for this program/position?
4. Specify desired employment period: fall term only, spring term only, or year-round
5. Are you a work-study student? If so, please attach your work-study verification.
6. Are you part of the University Leadership Network (ULN), completing a Bridging Disciplines Program certificate (please share which one), or looking to fulfill an internship requirement for your major?
7. Use this space for any additional comments or considerations.

Resource Recovery is a department within UT Facilities Services that encompasses both Zero Waste and Surplus Property. Resource Recovery is tasked with improving sustainability at UT, with a focus on our Zero Waste goal of diverting 90% of materials from the landfill. Major diversion strategies include reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting.

You would be a member of Resource Recovery’s Student Internship Program; we anticipate 18 interns in this year’s cohort. All of our student interns meet weekly as a team to share and learn, and create synergy across our work. In addition to assisting with outreach and education events, each Team Member will participate in hands-on waste audits, gaining the opportunity to assess campus buildings’ trash and recycling to identify opportunities to improve outreach and education programming. Additionally, Team Members will join a specific Project Team within Resource Recovery’s umbrella of work. This position works on the same project team as our Outreach Intern. See what our project teams have been up to on our Instagram (@utzerowaste). Team members are not expected to have a sustainability background – only an interest in learning! 

Purpose

You would be a member of the Surplus Property team supporting the Reuse Store, which sells no-longer-used materials to the public. Students handle item prep, store operations, and special projects like event planning, social media, waste audits, and more. This is located at the Pickle Research Campus (10100 Burnet Rd.) accessible via CapMetro (free with UT ID). Applicants must be available on Saturdays, 8:00 a.m.-noon.

Responsibilities

• Possess strong organization skills and attention to detail to prepare for store sales events.
• Encourage store attendance by participating in communications and marketing postings.
• Demonstrate knowledge of sustainability considerations, including understanding the role that surplus plays in achieving UT’s waste diversion goals. Participate in waste audits. 
• Provide professional customer service that represents UT and the department well.
• Interpret and analyze data collection.
• Practice project management activities such as planning, coordination, and implementation.
• Attend and participate in weekly meetings.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Currently enrolled UT Student. Show enthusiasm for sustainability practice and value waste reduction. Able to work on Saturdays and travel to Pickle Research Campus. Have an interest in retail sales and design. Convey professionalism through interactions. Have strong written and verbal skills. Able to work independently and participate in team projects. Be a detail-oriented self-starter who is adaptable. Must be able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly.  Work outdoors and in a warehouse environment.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior sustainability experience. Possess an interest in business management. Advanced skills with Microsoft Office Suite applications. 

Salary Range

$13.00/hour

Working Conditions

• Uniform or PPE
• All weather conditions
• Extreme temperatures
• Chemical fumes
• Standard office
• Biohazards/chemicals
• Electrical/mechanical
• Keyboard
• Manual dexterity
• Climbing of stairs and ladders
• Lifting and moving
• Exposure to adverse weather conditions and hazards such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and loud noises. Will lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds. May twist, grasp, pull, and bend. 

Work Shift

• 10 hours per week: Required Saturdays 8:00 a.m.-noon and five additional hours Tuesday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. for store item preparation and project work. One hour weekly meeting attendance. The employment term is typically for the academic year (fall and spring), although single-term opportunities are available.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

Students in this position may choose to enroll in the UTSaver voluntary retirement programs.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an , complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• [PDF]
• [PDF]
• [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in .

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.