Internship - Sustainability & Environment

The City of Lancaster is seeking Sustainability & Environment Interns for a 16-week internship, requiring on-site work in West Lancaster, PA. Interns will assist with green infrastructure, climate action tracking, and urban forestry management. Candidates should be enrolled in relevant environmental programs and possess a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license. The internship offers a 40-hour work week, primarily Monday to Friday, with potential evening and weekend work.
Applicants must possess valid employment authorization to work in the United States.

Applicants must have the ability to work on-site at City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania locations.

Primary Functions and Job Details

The City of Lancaster Public Works Department is currently accepting resumes for Sustainability & Environment (S&E) Interns. The S&E Division administers Stormwater Management Bureau and the Climate Action Plan, including the City’s award-winning Green Infrastructure program and Urban Forestry programs. The primary objectives of this position could include assisting with green infrastructure and climate action tracking and data management, assisting with assessment of existing plant species and recommendation of new plantings in public and private green infrastructure, and/or assisting with the management and analysis of the City’s urban forest.

Candidates with interests pertaining to sustainability, green infrastructure, stormwater management, environmental science, sustainability, forestry/urban forestry, data analytics, GIS, climate action related initiatives such as renewable energy and environmental justice are encouraged to apply.

Work Schedule:
40 hours per week, 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Most workdays will be 8:30 am - 5:00 pm with a 30-minute lunch break. Potential opportunities for evening and weekend work with flexible scheduling possible. Some fieldwork may be required.

This internship is expected to last for 16 weeks between the period of May 2025 and September 2025 depending on the candidate's schedule and availability. Internship may be extended into Fall 2025

Examples Of Essential Duties

Tasks can include but are not limited to:
• public engagement
• data collection (field and office)
• data management in Excel, file management, and administrative duties for the Public Works Department.

Typical Qualifications
• Education, Training and Experience:
• Graduation from High School or completion of a GED is required.
• Sophomore or Junior enrolled in field such as civil or biological engineering, environmental science, landscape architecture, horticulture, ecology or related environmental program, sustainability, earth sciences, forestry, planning, or data analytics program at an accredited college or university with at least 15 credit hours of coursework including some combination of the following: plant identification, landscape design, plant health, soil health, hydrology, environmental science principles, geographic information systems, landscape construction, stormwater design, and/or database/spreadsheet management.
• Licenses and Certificates:
• Possession of a valid Pennsylvania State Driver’s License is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Preference will be given to the successful candidate that possesses one or more of the following skills and abilities.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to work outdoors
• Basic understanding of environmental issues in urban contexts, ecosystem services, and community development.
• Knowledge and familiarity with the effective use of computers, equipment, and software, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of operation of GPS equipment and GIS software is beneficial.
• Ability to identify plant species, with specific knowledge of native plant species is beneficial.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing is beneficial.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans is beneficial.
• Knowledge of engineering and/or soil science and/or environmental sciences (including hydrology).
• Detail oriented and able to identify workflow efficiencies.