Sustainability Intern

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is seeking a Sustainability Intern for a short-term position from March 31 to May 9, 2025. The intern will assist the Sustainability Department with training materials, recycling logistics, engaging festival-goers, and post-festival assessments. Candidates should be juniors, seniors, or recent graduates in Environmental Studies or Sustainability, with strong communication skills and the ability to work outdoors under various conditions.
TIME FRAME: This is a short term, seasonal position.

Duration: March 31 - May 9, 2025

POSITION SUMMARY

This position will report to, and assist the Festival Sustainability Department with the administration and production of the Festival’s sustainability initiative.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Pre-Production:
• Assist Sustainability Department with development of training materials for staff and volunteers
• Assist Sustainability Department with deployment of recycling bins throughout the site
• Helping train staff and volunteers on proper collection and sorting procedures
• Transport, sort and track collected recyclables

Production:
• Assist Sustainability Department in overseeing logistics of festival-goers recycling incentive program
• Engage festival goers and encourage them to participate in our sustainability programs through activities or education
• Assist in the sorting process of all recycling and landfill materials
• Monitor and provide insight on Festival’s waste stream and recycling for adaptation of 2025 festival and beyond
• Assist Sustainability Coordinator in all aspects of sustainability initiatives working with various departments to ensure vendors, artists, and sponsors are meeting sustainability goals
• Other duties as assigned, for the duration of the internship

Post-Production:
• Assist Sustainability Logistics Manager in breakdown and storage of all supplies used for sustainability and recycling programs
• Assist Sustainability Coordinator in generating full assessment/reports for all aspects of Green Team’s goals for sustainability program

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED
• Must be a junior or senior pursuing their undergrad, a graduate student, or recent graduate
• Environmental Studies/Sustainability majors preferred
• A willingness and flexibility to do “whatever it takes” to foster the growth and success of the festival
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills are critical to this position
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Self-directed and able to work without supervision
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, handle stress in a high-pressure production setting, and lift objects up to 50lbs

REQUIREMENTS:
• Utilize the Absentee Request Form for accurate reporting of absenteeism to the Human Resources Office
• Maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive issues
• Attend and complete any required training
• Surrender any document, computer program, design, or intellectual property created for the Jazz Festival to the Festival at the end of each production year or upon request
• Complete all required Feedback Forms and Final Reports
• Perform other work-related duties as assigned

Since 1970, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell has annually celebrated the unique culture and heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana, alongside unforgettable special guest performances by the musical icons of our era and performances by nationally and internationally renowned artists. Jazz Fest features one of the world’s most diverse music festival lineups with over 650 bands on fourteen stages performing virtually every style of music plus an extensive food fair, hundreds of artisans, second line parades and much more. Spread out over two long weekends in late April and early May, Jazz Fest takes place at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Track, located just minutes from the French Quarter.
Apply to be part of the Jazz Fest Team that annually welcomes almost 500,000 people to the Festival. Happy Jazz Fest!