Intern, Center for Green Schools

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a global, nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., working to improve environmental sustainability, human health, and resilience in the built environment through its programs and rating systems including LEED. Today, people in over 150 countries and territories live, work, and learn in LEED certified buildings, communities, and cities that protect health, climate, and natural resources, and enhance quality of life. 

The Center for Green Schools is a global leader in advancing green schools and providing schools with what they need to create sustainable, healthy, resilient, and equitable learning environments. We believe that all students deserve to attend sustainable schools that enhance their health and wellness, prepare them for green careers, and support a thriving planet. Our mission is to support and train those implementing sustainability in school systems. www.centerforgreenschools.org 

The Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Research and Resource Intern will be responsible for helping to update a series of fact sheets designed to help people without a technical background understand various technologies and strategies used to improve IAQ. The work will involve collecting and integrating the latest research and guidance on included technologies, expanding its scope to include preventing the transmission of respiratory illnesses beyond COVID-19, and organizing and collecting feedback from expert contributors. These fact sheets will be public-facing, and authorship recognition will be given. There may be additional opportunities to assist with other school health related research projects. The position requires entrepreneurship and active teamwork, and successful candidates will be able to work well both independently and in small teams.

Specific Responsibilities:

In 2022, The Center for Green Schools published a series of School IAQ Fact Sheets to provide straightforward resources on IAQ strategies to support school leaders' decision making in their COVID-19 response. The IAQ Research and Resources Intern will help update this fact sheet series by incorporating the latest available guidance and expanding its scope to include broader strategies for preventing the transmission of respiratory illnesses beyond COVID and addressing building types beyond schools. The intern will support this project while working closely with the Center’s environmental health project manager, including the following tasks:

• Reviewing content to identify opportunities to expand scope beyond COVID-19 and school buildings
• Collecting the latest research and guidance on included technologies
• Implementing content edits with input from CFGS staff and subject-matter experts
• Coordinating and organizing feedback from expert contributors
• Assisting in coordinating layout changes with graphic designer and CFGS staff

Location Requirements:

• The internship can be located remotely, but preference is for the intern to work from the Washington, D.C., office of USGBC.

Education & Training Requirements/Preferences:

• REQUIRED: Graduate students whose studies and research interests include mechanical engineering, green building, environmental health, or another relevant field. Relevant coursework in qualitative and quantitative research methods for summarizing technical findings is particularly important.

Experience Requirements:

• Candidates should be currently enrolled in a college or university. At least four years of study at a college or university is preferred.

Other Required Skills/Qualifications:

• Strong writing skills for reports and technical papers
• Excellent organizational and computer skills (MS Office)