Zero Waste Intern
Student
Posted on 8/28/2025

American University
Compensation Overview
$17.95/hr
Washington, DC, USA
In Person
This position is available only to enrolled American University students.
Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, and Contribute to Your University Community.
This position is available only to enrolled American University students.
Important guidance for current American University employees: American University current employees, including those employed in student positions, must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into your employee Workday account and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings. Applying outside of your employee Workday account may cause delays in a hire process.
Department:
Time Type:
Part timeFLSA Status:
Non-ExemptJob Description:
Summary:
American University's Office of Zero Waste is looking for new interns to assist with zero waste projects across campus. This position includes many opportunities to work both in the field and in the office to learn more about waste management systems on a college campus. Interns will work on projects related to food waste collection, waste stream contamination control, waste management education, and food recovery.
Essential Functions:
1.) Organics Collection
Drive an AU Facilities Management Vehicle to dining locations across campus and collect food scraps to dispose of in AU's organics compactor, track weights and inspect organics waste stream for contaminants.
2.) Contamination Control and Education
Research contamination control interventions and implement projects that will help reduce the amount of non-compostable items in AU's organics waste stream.
Help research improvements to AU's waste sorting signage and assist with refining AU's public space recycling design.
Develop Educational materials.
3.) Food Recovery
Aid in the expansion of food recovery efforts on campus.
Research hunger fighting partners AU can partner with to distribute recovered food items.
4.) Recycling
Assist in efforts to track and improve recycling rates across campus.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
Part-Time.
Weekly hours can range from 5-20 hours per week depending on student needs and scheduling.
Limited hours are available on weekends, but are not mandatory.
Salary Range:
$17.95 per hour.
Required Education and Experience:
Current AU student.
Other Details
This position is available only to enrolled American University students.
Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or 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 notice.
American University is an E-Verify employer.
Visit https://www.american.edu/hr/ for additional information about American University employment and benefits.
Current American University Employees
American University current employees (including those employed in student positions) must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email [email protected].
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.

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