Environmental & Social Impact Intern

KEEN Footwear is hiring an Environmental & Social Impact Intern for a 10-week on-site position in Portland, OR. The intern will support sustainability initiatives, analyze data, assist with internal communications, and engage with community partners. Ideal candidates are passionate about sustainability, detail-oriented, creative, and strong communicators. The role offers hands-on experience in the outdoor industry and a compensation of $20/hour.
Are you passionate about sandals, boots, and everything in between? Do you live and breathe sustainability? Do you have a creative eye, a hunger to learn, and a KEEN interest in the outdoor industry? If you said yes to any of the above, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

Position: Environmental & Social Impact Intern
Location: KEEN’s Global Headquarters in Portland, Oregon (on-site)
Duration: 10 weeks
Compensation: $20/hour
Program Duration: Monday, June 16th – Friday, August 22nd

What You'll Do

As an Intern at KEEN (KEENtern), you’ll dive into the exciting world of footwear, innovation, and community! You’ll get hands-on experience working alongside industry experts and contribute to shaping the future of KEEN.

The KEEN Effect is the result of KEEN’s values in action. The KEEN Effect team is the social and environmental impact arm of KEEN, working to shepherd KEEN’s values throughout the organization. The team works cross-functionally, collaborating regularly with Insights and Engagement, Supply Chain, Product & Materials, Logistics, Retail, People & Culture, and more. The Social and Environmental Impact Intern will report to the Sr. Sustainability Manager and will help measure and manage KEEN’s impact. This role will play a large role in organizing and reporting on data, including sustainable product attributes. It will also help to further KEEN’s climate strategy, impact partnerships, and external facing sustainability storytelling.

Essential Responsibilities
• Support KEEN’s climate action initiatives by analyzing annual footprint data and developing methods for improved data collection.
• Support submission of Worldly Brand & Retail Module (BRM) through data review and portal updates.
• Assist with internal sustainability communication to engage employees and promote awareness of sustainability initiatives across the company.
• Work with product team on Consciously Created data consolidation and analysis, including using Centric PLM to review material and product information.
• Support the management of sustainability certifications (GRS, LWG, etc.).
• Coordinate with social and creative teams to produce and share KEEN effect related content.
• Conduct industry and fan (customer) research, including horizon scans of current trends and industry shifts, customer sentiment, peer benchmarks, ESG report reviews, etc.
• Engage with external KEEN Effect community impact partners to support reporting and storytelling initiatives.
• Support KEEN Effect community impact partner prospecting by reviewing and consolidating potential philanthropic partners.
• Assist with production if in-person and virtual KEEN Effect events as needed.
• Support miscellaneous administrative duties as needed.

What We’re Looking For:

We’re seeking someone who embodies our passion for creativity, sustainability, and the great outdoors. Our ideal KEENtern is:
• Passionate: Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, committed to sustainability, or fascinated by footwear trends and innovation, you’re excited to engage with the world around you.
• Creatively Minded: You’re detail-oriented, love bringing fresh ideas to life, and have a knack for solving problems.
• A Strong Communicator: Whether it’s collaborating with a team or presenting ideas, you know how to express yourself clearly and effectively.
• Proactive & Eager to Learn: You’re curious, ready to ask questions, take initiative, and dive into new challenges with enthusiasm.

Why Intern with Us?

Being a KEENtern means you’re not just an intern—you’re a valued part of our KEEN community. Here’s what you can look forward to:
• Meaningful Work: Tackle real-world projects that make an impact, gaining valuable hands-on experience at a globally recognized brand.
• Collaborative Environment: Partner with talented teammates and work on in a group project with other KEENterns.
• Networking Opportunities: Build connections with industry experts and mentors who can help shape your career.
• Perks & Benefits: Enjoy product discounts, a subsidized cafeteria, and an inspiring workspace.
• Outdoor Adventures: Immerse yourself in Portland – a vibrant city nestled between the mountains and the coast – a hub for all things outdoors, such as hiking, biking, rafting, camping, and climbing.

Program Requirements:

To qualify for this internship, you must:
• Be a Junior, Senior, or Graduate student
• Be eligible to work in the U.S.
• Commit to a 10-week program from mid-June through mid-August
• Dedicate 40 hours per week during standard M-F, PST working hours
• All roles are located in Portland, OR. Must be able to move to Portland during the duration of the internship if you are not already living here.
• Plan no more than four total days of vacation during the internship

Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re ready to take your passions to the next level and be part of a world-class team, please apply.

Other Requirements

Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without cause.

Fuerst Group, KEEN and Chrome are equal opportunity employers. We value an inclusive and diverse community. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.