Climate-Friendly School Food Intern (California Preferred)

Who We Are:

Friends of the Earth is a national not for profit environmental organization driven by passion for a healthier and more just world. We push for the bold reforms that are needed. It’s an approach that has worked for five decades to produce important victories that help protect our planet and its people. We’re part of Friends of the Earth International, a federation of groups working in more than 70 countries on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues. 

What We Look For: A talented and dedicated intern to help support Friends of the Earth’s Climate-Friendly School Food program. A highly motivated, quick learner who can take initiative. Someone with strong research, writing and editing skills. We’re looking for someone to play an integral role in supporting the Climate-Friendly School program team with organizing resources needed to be successful in shifting school food services to climate-friendly menus. An innovative thinker who can support the program in connecting with school districts, scheduling meetings, and supporting internal data collection for the team.

Does this sound like you? If so, then this is the intern position for you. This is a paid, part-time internship. Intern must be able to commit to 20 hours per week; (specific hours in the range of 15-25 hours per week to be negotiated) at the rate of $19.50 per hour. The length of the internship is 5-6 months, starting at the end of September or early October and ending February/March 2025.

What the Role Needs:

Supportive Contributor: You support and schedule meetings with school nutrition service teams, government, and non-profit program partners across California. Support outreach with student, community-based health, and environmental groups. Support our team’s online webinars by developing PowerPoint presentations, monitoring attendance, and drafting follow-up emails. Attend meetings on behalf of the Climate-Friendly School Food program to support our program growth.

Detail Oriented: Take detailed meeting notes and report back on research projects. Organize California Climate-Friendly School Food team’s file folders on OneDrive to keep our team organized.

Data-driven: You will research plant-based products and vendors and create a new database/file system of plant-based and plant-forward recipes for school districts. Gather and track data from school food service directors on climate-friendly menu practices. Sort and analyze data sets on Excel sheets to identify patterns in school menus.

Required Qualifications:  

• A high school diploma or GED.
• Education and/or experience with public health, environmental studies, non-profit or community-based work.
• Skilled in Microsoft Word, Excel, Office, and basic Microsoft programs.
• Familiarity using Google Forms.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize workload when juggling multiple projects.
• Understanding of sustainable agriculture, the intersection between food and climate, the connection of food justice to racial justice, and the harms of the industrial agriculture system.
• Strong research, writing, and editing skills.
• A highly motivated, quick learner who can take initiative and work independently.
• Willingness to travel to conferences and events in California, as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A background in environmental issues, public health, racial justice, food systems, environmental science, and/or public policy.
• Experience and familiarity with collecting, analyzing and summarizing reliable research.

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.