Environmental Stewardship Center

Full Internship Description

The Hoop House at Kalamazoo College is a community garden supported by the Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Center for Civic Engagement and the Larry J. Bell ‘80 Environmental Stewardship Center, that provides opportunities for students to reflect on their relationships with community, culture, and land through cultivating and sharing food, beauty, curiosity, and care for each other and our biotic community.  

The Hoop House Intern will work under the mentorship of ESC staff to assist with the management of and care for the Kalamazoo College Hoop House garden and garden community. This is a one-year position for the academic year 2025-2026 with an expectation of 5-7 hours per week.

Responsibilities

• Complete a two-day orientation and engage in ongoing learning on the job. No previous experience is required, but an enthusiasm for learning is essential. Mandatory orientation dates are September 11 & 12.  
• Participate in weekly staff meetings to coordinate Hoop House activities and learn community garden management skills. Weekly staff meetings are on Mondays at 11am.
• Work independently to complete weekly tasks important for the care and maintenance of the Hoop House. 
• Host weekly drop-in community gardening hours at the Hoop House (every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 4:30-6pm). Welcome visitors and volunteers, teach gardening skills, and coordinate the safe harvesting and distribution of food. 
• Collaborate on seasonal crop planning.  
• Support classes, student-led organizations, and community groups who wish to hold activities or host events at the Hoop House. 
• Coordinate and facilitate community programming such as work days, special events, and celebrations.  

Qualifications

• An interest in learning about all aspects of community garden management, including caring for plants, caring for people, and supporting community within an institutional context. 
• A strong commitment to food justice and an interest in learning about the foodways and agricultural practices of different cultures. 
• Good collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills. 
• The ability to follow through on commitments, take initiative, work independently, and ask for help when needed. 
• The ability to adapt to and learn from unexpected challenges. 

Full Internship Description

Environmental Stewardship Interns work with the Environmental and Sustainability Programs at Kalamazoo College to plan and support environmental programming, marketing and communication with the campus community. The Interns will work closely with the Environmental Stewardship Center, Climate Action Plan. Environmental Studies and related organizations. This is a one-year, in-person position for the 2025-2026 academic year with an expectation of 5-7 hours per week and optional hours during winter and spring breaks. This position will also have occasional remote work.

Responsibilities 

• Act as a representative for the Environmental Stewardship Center end Climate Action Plan Committee  
• Stay up to date with environmental positions, groups, events, initiatives on campus   
• Plan, advertise and facilitate various events throughout the year which could include:
  • Green spaces tour during Orientation  
  • Climate Action Plan First Year Forum  
  • Harvest Celebration in collaboration with the Center for Civic Engagement and Critical Ethnic Studies 
  • Environmental alumni panel  
  • Sustainability SIP Symposium  
  • A Better Way to K Days 
• Climate Action Plan:
  • Attend and participate in Climate Action Plan Committee meetings (Wednesday at 11am). Rotate note taking responsibilities.   
  • Organize and advertise open Climate Action Plan Committee meetings (one per term) 
• Communications & marketing:
  • Contribute to a year-long social media plan  
  • Manage social media accounts (in collaboration with other ESC interns)  
  • Edit & maintain websites (ESC, Sustainability, Environmental Studies). Keep campus calendar up to date with weekly and one-time events  
  • Connect with environmental programs to find stories to share 
  • Write & publish blog posts for the sustainability at K website  

Qualifications

We are looking for someone who…  

• …is excited for a position that connects the Climate Action Plan to the campus through digital and in person platforms and events  
• …will connect with departments and student groups across campus
• …will work both collaboratively with students/faculty/staff and independently
• …can set and maintain a consistent work schedule  
• …has already participated in ERAACE training, or will attend the next offered ERAACE training at Kalamazoo College

Additional Notes

• This is an in-person position with occasional remote work. There will be approximately 5-7 hours per week during academic terms with optional hours during winter and spring breaks. Training will occur on September 11-12th in Kalamazoo.  
• Preference will be given to Work Study students and first year/sophomore students. 

To Apply:

• Complete the ESC Intern Application by April 11th 

Full Internship Description

The Composting Program is a collaborative position between the Environmental Stewardship Center and Facilities Management. The Composting Program hires Compost Crew members to help maintain various parts of Kalamazoo College’s composting program until they graduate! The Composting Program is an initiative that has prioritized experiential learning and peer mentorship since 2009. We value creative and independent individuals who have a passion for composting and environmental stewardship. The team practices horizontal leadership, meaning that weekly goals are coordinated and executed from individual and collective decision making. These are prioritized based on quarterly circumstances in collaboration with Facilities Management and the Environmental Stewardship Center. Priority will be given to first and second years.

As a crew member, you will:

• Collaborate and problem solve with a lively crew of students
• Collect food waste across campus 
• Maintain compost piles in the Grove 
• Empty, wash, and return community and department buckets 
• Record bucket weights and pile temperatures 
• Mentor volunteers and students as you gain composting experience (including potentially leading the Composting Class) 
• Take the Composting Class, a free PE course, at least once 
• Execute events throughout the year (I.e., Groove Grove, Smashing Pumpkins, etc.) 
• Create and coordinate special projects throughout the year with the team 
• Get a little dirty and messy in the snow and sun 

Qualifications

• Available to work 3-6 hours per week 
• Reliable, collaborative, and a quick-learner 
• Comfortable with outdoor physical activity 
• A driver’s license if you want to drive the golf cart 
• In it for the long haul! We’d love to have you as part of the team for the rest of your time at K  
• Available to work in Spring Term and future terms.
• To apply, you must have completed a shadowing shift with the Compost Crew. To schedule a shadowing shift, please email: composting@kzoo.edu

Full Description

The Arboretum Trail Crew provides general maintenance and care of the Lillian Anderson Arboretum (the Arb). The Arb is a 140-acre natural area with 5 miles of trails that is open to the campus community and public. It is located 5 miles west of campus, about a 10-15 minute drive. Trail Crews carpool to the Arb either in a student’s car or campus fleet vehicle. We figure out carpooling and transportation so access to cars is not a requirement for this position.  

Trail Crew shifts often involve:  

• Trail maintenance including trimming overgrown plants and trees, removal of fallen trees 
• Proper invasive species management 
• Keeping trails and parking lot clean 
• Provide feedback to Arboretum staff about trail conditions 
• Work with Arboretum staff for seasonal special projects 

Qualifications

We are looking for someone who…  

• …is excited to spend time outside at the Arb each week  
• …is interested to learn about trail maintenance techniques, plants and interacting with visitors
• …will work in a small team with 2-3 students
• …is available for scheduled shifts   

Additional Notes

• Preference will be given to Work Study students and first year/sophomore students.