Internship Start and End Dates: Summer internship; August 2025 – December 2025; January 2026 – May 2026

Hours per week: 10-15  hours per week

Compensation: Unpaid, unless the intern secures funding from the school/college. Mileage reimbursement for monitoring sessions.

Internship format:  Hybrid in Phoenix, AZ (up to 3 site visits per week)

Organization physical address:  3131 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85040

 

About Us:

We are a nonprofit action and advocacy alliance that aims to create and support cutting-edge, project-based sustainability solutions in Arizona through civic engagement, collaboration, and education. We empower Arizona citizens to work together toward more verdant, equitable, and sustainable communities.

Position Overview: 

Arizona Sustainability Alliance (AZSA) seeks enthusiastic and resourceful interns to work on tree monitoring and data collection in the Urban Forestry department. Working as an intern, you will be exposed to various fields, including work with ArcGIS, Urban Forestry concepts including species suitability, zoning, water supply/considerations, and community outreach. This role will expose interns to different health considerations for plants and give them experience in identifying solutions. Through this work, interns will gain valuable hands-on experience in environmental monitoring, data collection/entry, and the usage of software including Trello, ArcGIS, and Google Workspace.

Responsibilities include:

  • Interns are expected to handle site visits in a manner that positively represents the organization
  • Identify themselves by communicating with appropriate site contact or signing in as a guest (if necessary for access to the site)
  • Identify planted trees apart from each other based on supplied information (e.g. maps, tree orders, etc.) and environmental cues (fresh vs. old growth, tree size/age)
  • Travel to sites around the Phoenix Metro region.
  • Identify best practices on data related to health, growth, and best maintenance practices for trees. 
  • Research and identify best practices on water schedules and usage, water conservation, and ways to lower tree/plant mortality rates.
  • Contribute to GIS data collection, analysis, and visualization, with the use of ArcGIS & Survey 123 apps
  • Community outreach to various groups, including tabling events, attending workshops, and some plantings.

Deliverables:

  • Contribute to GIS data collection, analysis, and visualization for informed decision-making.
  • Assist in collecting data on tree health, growth, and urban greening initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

  • Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in sustainability, environmental science, or related discipline. Position also available to recent graduates (within 1-2 years post-graduation)
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills – Able to interact with large and small groups and lead community education opportunities.
  • Strong research skills
  • Analytical skills (qualitative and/or quantitative analysis) – Able to recognize patterns and draw conclusions based on observable evidence of tree health and environmental conditions.
  • Problem-solving skills – Able/willing to resolve issues with limited on-site support
  • Collaborative team player with an entrepreneurial spirit and can-do attitude

Desired Skills

  • Organizational skills – Ability to collaborate and work/communicate with various groups, incorporating their missions and goals into specific joint projects.
  • Curiosity/desire to learn – Ability to pick up new skills as needed
  • Project management skills: strong work ethic and ability to meet project deadlines
  • Independent, self-motivated: works independently and monitors own work to ensure quality; will ask questions and seek clarity when necessary
  • Willingness to learn and use ArcGIS

Even if you feel you do not meet these qualifications, we still encourage you to apply if you have a passion for sustainability and urban forestry.
 

Application Process:

  • To apply for this opportunity email your cover letter and resume to hrvolunteer@azsustain.org. Please include the internship title in your email subject line. Application deadlines September 9, 2024
  • Background Check
    All offers of internships at Arizona Sustainability Alliance (AZSA) are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check.
  • Fingerprint Clearance Card
    A valid Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card through the Arizona Department of Public Safety is required. Fingerprint fees will be covered by AZSA. Must be completed prior to the official start date.

Connection to Sustainability:

  • This internship with the Arizona Sustainability Alliance’s Urban Forestry Department is closely connected to the field of sustainability through various avenues. Interns can apply their sustainability knowledge and contribute to the organization’s mission by leveraging their sustainability knowledge to make informed contributions to the Urban Forestry Department’s projects. This internship provides a practical platform to apply theoretical concepts, learn about the complexities of real-world sustainability initiatives, and actively contribute to making their community more environmentally sustainable and resilient.

Learning Objectives: 

  • Interns will gain a comprehensive understanding of urban forestry concepts.
  • Interns will also learn about project management, community engagement, research and analysis, GIS, data management,  and will refine their communication skills through written reports, documentation, and participation in essential stakeholder meetings.
  • Interns will have the opportunity to network and form connections with other organizations, cities, and parks & recreation departments, attend training meetings, and tree planting events. 

 

Training / Orientation:

  • Initial training orientation sessions introduce interns to the organization’s mission, values, and goals, along with guidelines and structures. This will be followed by departmental overview, technical training, project-specific training, regular check-ins, project meetings, and feedback and evaluation.
  •  AZSA maintains an open-door policy and will have regular weekly check-ins with direct supervisors.
  • Periodic meetings to discuss the technical implementation of various projects. 

Work Environment:

  • All AZSA internship positions are hybrid, with frequent fieldwork and other necessary in-person activities specific to this position. While many tasks can be completed remotely, this position requires the person to physically reside in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area in order to complete monitoring work.
  • Weekly check-ins with the supervisor. The method of communication with the supervisor will be through Slack, Gmail, Google Meets, or Zoom meetings if done virtually. Otherwise, some meetings will be held in person.
  • Feedback will be received in-person or through video conferencing.
  • Tools and technology utilized will be Gmail, Google Meets/Zoom, Google Drive, Canva, Trello, Slack, Google Docs/Slides, and Survey 123.
  • The intern will have opportunities to interact or engage with other interns, employees, and stakeholders that AZSA partners with.

To apply for this job email your details to hrvolunteer@azsustain.org