Urban Forestry Roundtable Intern

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

Hours per week / total number of hours: 10-15  hours per week

Compensation: Unpaid unless the intern secures funding from the school/college

Internship format: Hybrid

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 in the urban forestry department on multiple projects. Working as an intern, you will be exposed to various fields through the Urban Forestry Roundtable. Additionally, the intern will gain valuable, hands-on experience in a fast-paced, exciting environment by helping the Urban Forestry team to organize, plan, and research projects related to the Phoenix Metro Urban Forestry Roundtable and it’s subcommittees, as well as working with Asana, Trello, and Google workspace.

Responsibilities include:

• Assist with the Municipality toolkit project
• Assist with meetings, note taking and other to do’s for the Roundtable meetings and the 4 subcommittees within the Roundtable. 
• Proofread documents, reports, and communication material for accuracy and clarity.
• Identify best practices on data related to health, growth, and best maintenance practices for trees. Research and identify ways to lower mortality rates and best practices on water conservation.

Deliverables:

• Assist in the creation of the Municipality urban forestry? toolkit
• Assist in the completion  of the various projects from the Business Partnership subcommittee

Required Qualifications:

• Required Skills
• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in sustainability, environmental science, or related discipline (this position is also available to recent graduates)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong research skills
• Analytical skills (qualitative and/or quantitative analysis)
• Problem-solving skills
• Communication skills: collaborative team player with an entrepreneurial spirit and can-do attitude

Desired Skills

• Organizational skills
• Ability to collaborate
• Curiosity/desire to learn
• 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
• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in sustainability, environmental science, or related discipline.  This position is also available to recent graduates
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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.
• 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. AZSA will pay for the fingerprint clearance card upon starting internship.

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, including tree planting strategies, green space planning, and ecological, economy and health benefits of trees in urban developments.
• Interns will also learn about project management, community engagement, research and analysis, and 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 and regular check-ins, project meetings, and feedback and evaluation.
•  AZSA maintains an open-door policy and will have weekly check-ins with direct supervisors.

 

Work Environment:

• All AZSA internship positions are remote, with periodic 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.
• Weekly check-ins with the supervisor. The method of communication with the supervisor will be through Slack, Gmail, Google Meets, and Zoom meetings if done virtually. Otherwise, it will be in person for some on-site meetings.
• Feedback will be received in-person or through video conference.
• Tools and technology utilized will be through Gmail, Google Meets/Zoom, Google Drive, Canva, Trello, Slack, and Google Docs/Slides.
• Intern will have opportunities to interact or engage with other interns, employees, and other stakeholders AZSA partners with.