Sustainability Intern - Waste Division

Job Title: Sustainability Intern - Waste Diversion and Recycling
Department: Environmental Health and Sustainability
Classification: Non-Exempt

Pay Range (Hourly): $20.35/min - $22.39/mid - $24.42/max

Position Summary: A Summer intern who will work on activities devoted to waste diversion and recycling of disposable items used by residents and visitors at special events permitted by the City. This intern will educate the public about waste diversion and recycling, coordinate efforts between the city and other organizations to reduce waste and help reduce bear intrusions in the city's core while educating the commercial and residential sectors, among other activities. This is a seasonal internship in support of the Department of Environmental Health and Sustainability.
Supervision Exercised and Received: This position works under the general supervision of the Waste Diversion and Recycling team with support from Special Events staff.
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Essential Job Functions:
* Auditing permitted special events to ensure they are following the zero-waste standards of the City of Aspen. Many special events occur on weekends. The intern is expected to be in attendance for the duration of the event.
* Training special event hosts on waste diversion practices (recycling and composting) and supporting their efforts to keep the recycling and compost free of trash. This involves physically removing trash from the compost and recycling.
* Tabling on some Saturday mornings at the Aspen Saturday Market promoting waste diversion practices.
* Helping with the Bear Outreach Education Campaign, checking the alleys to improve businesses compliance and reduce bear intrusions.
* Educating the public about waste reduction through printed materials, attending community events, face-to-face interactions with businesses.
* Participate in the department's effort to train community members, visitors, businesses, and internal staff on how to properly divert waste through reusables, recycling, and composting at special events, workplaces, and HOAs.
Data Entry
* Recording data about waste diversion at Special Events on City properties.
* Recording data about bear intrusions and businesses violations.
* Recording data about the waste found in the alleys.

Maintenance
* Cleaning, labeling, and repairing waste collection tools distributed to the public by the city (i.e. table, tent, event bins)
* Preparing events with trash, recycling, and composting containers. This involves lifting, bending, and carrying materials of 20lbs for small distances.

Core Competencies:
Displays the following key competencies in the overall job performance to include knowledge, skills and abilities:
* Knowledge of basic waste reduction strategies, or willingness to learn
* Ability to communicate concisely and effectively through a variety of method such as: email, written reports, and verbally
* Ability to effectively and efficiently provide exceptional customer service and possess the ability to take necessary steps to assist anyone with their needs with a pleasant attitude on a daily basis
* Possesses interpersonal skills including understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, cooperation, concern, and politeness to others and relates well to different people from varied backgrounds and different situations

Departmental Support
* Assists the Waste Diversion Team in the Environmental Health and Sustainability Department with their seasonal programs (e.g. Recycle Center, Special Events, Bear Outreach, Composting and Recycling Programs).
City Organizational Values
Supports and models the City of Aspen organizational values: Service, Partnership, Stewardship, and Innovation. Organizational values are shared principles that guide behavior across the organization. This position is responsible for upholding and applying these values and mission statement while performing daily work functions.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education: High School diploma is not required for this position.

Technical Knowledge: Must be proficient in the following areas: Microsoft Outlook Email, and a basic understanding of computers and online computer-based technology applications, which includes accessing web-based platforms.

Licenses & Certifications:
Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License or be able to obtain one within 30 days of start date.

NOTE: Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required abilities, knowledge and skills as determined by the City of Aspen may be substituted for the requirements above.

Preferred Candidate:
* Interest in Environmental Health and Sustainability or Local Government.
* Spanish speaking and interpretation skills.
NOTE: This position requires a Criminal Background Check upon hire. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a Criminal Background Check.

Position Type and Work Hours:
* Seasonal part-time from June to September, averaging between 15 to 24 hours per week (may vary with workload).
* Weekends will be part of the regular schedule and evenings may occasionally be required depending on department needs and special projects.

Work Environment:
* Indoors: Office environment.
* Outdoors/Off-Site: Meetings, trainings, and site visits at a variety of city facilities and areas.

Physical Demands:
Bending: Bending or position oneself to move an object from one level to another.
Carrying: transporting or moving an object.
Climbing: Ascending or descending stationary objects.
Crouching: Bending body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination: Performing work through using two or more body parts or other devices.
Gripping/Grasping: Ability to apply pressure with fingers and palm.
Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, through use of hands, fingers, or other means.
Hearing: Perceiving and comprehending the nature and direction of sounds.
Lifting: Moving objects weighing no more than 20 pounds from one level to another.
Reaching: Extending the hands and arms or other device in any direction.
Repetitive motions: Making frequent or continuous movements.
Sitting: Remaining in a stationary position.
Standing: Ability to sustain position for a period of time.
Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.
Talking: Communicating ideas or exchanging information.
Visual Acuity: Ability to bring objects into focus.
Walking: Ability to move to traverse from one location to another.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

City Organizational Values:
Supports and models the City of Aspen organizational values: Service, Partnership, Stewardship, and Innovation. Organizational values are shared principles that guide behavior across the organization. This position is responsible for upholding and applying these values while performing daily work functions.
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Core Competencies:
Displays the following key competencies and behaviors in the overall job performance to include knowledge, skills and abilities:

* Service: Provides service with excellence, humility, integrity, and respect in daily work, builds trust by listening, treats people with respect, acknowledges opportunities for improvement, and follows through with commitments.
* Partnership: Actively creates strong, supportive internal and external relationships to attain a common goal and achieve greater impact together.
* Stewardship: Balances social, environmental, and financial responsibilities, evaluating the impact of decision making on a thriving future for all.
* Innovation: Develops technical expertise to pursue new ideas and creative outcomes, grounded in Aspen's unique culture, opportunities and challenges.
* Communication: Knowledge of effective and appropriate communication. Ability to use knowledge effectively in various contexts which may require oral, written, visual and non-verbal communication.
* Interpersonal: Works to develop strength in interpersonal skills. Has the ability to work well with diverse groups of people, both inside and outside the organization.

* Technology: Demonstrates technology skills sufficient for the nature and level of position. Demonstrates a willingness to learn new technologies and transition job duties accordingly to support technological advances and innovation.

This job description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.