Partnership Raleigh Community Climate Intern (Cohort 5)

The Partnership Raleigh Community Climate Intern position at Free Internship Account offers a 10-week internship for students aged 17-24, focusing on sustainable water services and resource management. Interns will gain hands-on experience and professional development while supporting projects related to climate action and water sustainability with Raleigh Water and the Office of Sustainability. Candidates must submit an essay with their application.
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\tCandidates applying for this position will need to provide a required essay question response. Please ensure that you enclose this document with your application.

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\tPartnership Raleigh offers career exploration and internships for students aged 17-24 and those entering educational institutional programs by Fall 2025. Through structured, skill-building experiences, the program aims to prepare young adults for meaningful career pathways and long-term professional success.

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\tPartnership Raleigh Community Climate Interns will gain professional development and hands-on experience in sustainable water services and resource management, preparing them for potential careers in federal, state, and local government.

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\tWe are seeking personable and highly motivated Interns to work a 10-week internship, June 2 - August 8, 2025 (10 weeks).

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\tThe Community Climate Intern Program is a collaborative initiative between Partnership Raleigh, Raleigh Water, and the Office of Sustainability. Raleigh Water provides water and sanitary sewer services to over 200,000 metered customers with a service population of approximately 640,000 people in Raleigh, Garner, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Knightdale, Wendell, and Zebulon. Raleigh Water’s mission is to provide safe, sustainable water services for our customers while protecting public health and contributing to the economic, environmental, and social vitality of our communities. The Office of Sustainability works with City departments and the Raleigh community on the Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, understanding the role of equity and the implications of climate change on vulnerable communities, and how the impacts of climate change affect overall community resilience. This internship program is an opportunity for undergraduate students to work on projects with Raleigh Water divisions and the Office of Sustainability in support of the City’s climate action goals and water sustainability efforts.

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\tDuties and Responsibilities

\tInterns will be placed in various divisions within Raleigh Water and Sustainability supporting a wide range of projects and tasks such as:

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\t\tManages records, inventory tracking and asset tracking

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\t\tCollects and analyzes field data

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\t\tWorks in laboratory and supporting lab operations

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\t\tAudits billing systems

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\t\tTracks truck sites and performing digital scans

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\t\tDrafts standard operating procedures for work zones and excavations

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\t\tDevelops maintenance and safety documents

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\t\tAssists with the implementation of environmental safety and health management software

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\t\tOperates various agricultural equipment

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\t\tSupports project implementation for the CCAP

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\t\tConducts analysis and making recommendations to advance equity and resilience initiatives

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\t\tAssists with HVAC, Electrician, Facility Maintenance Technology, and Construction Equipment Systems Technology

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\tInterns will have the opportunity to interact with Public Utilities and Raleigh Water professionals while learning about the career opportunities associated with water resource management and sustainability.

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\tAdditional internship program interests include:

\tGreen Stormwater Infrastructure, Water Resource Management, Agriculture, Laboratory Testing and Analysis, Engineering, Sustainability, Environmental Science, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

\tData analysis and integration, general electrical/HVAC maintenance, project management, policy and research, GIS, community outreach and engagement

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\tTypical Qualifications

\tEducation and Experience:

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\t\tStudents aged 17-24 and those entering educational institutional programs by Fall 2025

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\t\tAccess to a computer and reliable internet connection

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\t\tAbility to navigate Microsoft Teams

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\t\tExperience with Microsoft Office Suite and databases

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\t\tExcellent interpersonal and communication skills

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\t\tAbility to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment

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\t\tSolid organizational skills and attention to detail

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\t\tAccess to reliable transportation

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\tLicensing and Certifications:

\tValid North Carolina Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire (Required only for specific field-based internship positions)

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\tPlease note that most internship positions are project-based and may require some outdoor work and field-based tasks. Some field-based intern projects will require driving a City vehicle to complete work assignments.

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\tPreferred Qualifications:

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\t\tExperience working in an office environment

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\t\tApplicants who live, work, or attend college, community college, or university in the Raleigh and/or Triangle Region (not required)

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\t\tElementary experience with ArcGIS mapping software

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\t\tProficiency in Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams)

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\t\tBasic statistical analysis in Excel

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\t\tSome knowledge of strategy development, environmental research methods, and environmental best practices

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\tAdditional Information

\tYoung adults of color and those that are under-represented in the field of sustainability and public utilities are encouraged to apply.

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\t\tStrong candidates will have trades experience in HVAC, electrical, or refrigeration or academic majors in environmental science, geographic science, environmental, health science, earth sciences, chemistry, biology, geospatial sciences, sustainability, geographic information systems, data analytics, political science, public administration, agricultural and environmental systems, environmental health & safety, environmental engineering, engineering, and parks, recreation & tourism or a related field.

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\tNote:

\tThis job classification description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) designation may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.