Sustainability Internship Program 2026-2027 Applications Open

Department: College of Design
Location: Vaughan Warehouse #5 (1307 Versailles Rd) – 80% in person at location, Remote – 20%

Position Overview: 

The Campus Woods Program repurposes trees removed from campus due to age, construction, or other factors, giving them new life through student-created projects in the classroom. The Campus Woods Intern works onsite with the team processing logs with the mill, sticker and stacking new lumber inventory, and managing lumber products at the Campus Woods Upcycling Sawmill Pavilion and Vaughn Warehouse #5. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Supporting routine operations from milling lumber and staging product to dry, to loading and unloading the drying kiln and preparing materials for delivery to main campus for class projects (typically SA/VS and College of Design).
• Assess current processes, identify inefficiencies, and propose improvements.

Physical Requirements: 

The person in this position needs to be comfortable working outdoors, able to traverse uneven terrain, comfortable around power tools, and able to lift up to 50 pounds. Closed-toe shoes are also required. 

Click here to apply by March 29, 2026.

Department: UK Dining 
Location: The 90 (440 Hilltop Ave) – 100% in person at location

Position Overview: 

UK Dining operates all residential dining halls and retail locations on campus, as well as catering operations and athletic venues including Kroger Field and Memorial Coliseum. The Dining Sustainability Intern will support the UK Dining Sustainability Director in advancing sustainability initiatives across dining operations. This role offers hands-on experience in campus sustainability, operations, and outreach.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Conduct site visits to dining locations to review and document existing sustainability practices.
• Assist with creating social media content and other outreach materials highlighting sustainability efforts.
• Collaborate with dining, recycling, and campus partners on new and ongoing sustainability projects.
• Help plan, coordinate, and support sustainability-focused events within dining locations and across campus.
• Support the planning and implementation of new sustainability initiatives across operations.

Click here to apply by March 29, 2026.

Department: Utilities and Energy Management
Location: Peterson Service Bldg. (411 S Limestone St) – 100% in person at location

Position Overview: 

The Energy – Efficiency, Conservation, and Renewables intern will assist the Utilities and Energy Management (UEM) group in their mission to provide safe, reliable, and resilient utilities and energy services to the campus, with a commitment to sustainability and customer service. This position welcomes students from any major. 
 

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to supporting the emissions reduction, energy efficiency practices, renewable energy opportunities, and/or conservation strategies related to utility and energy systems. Analysis of new or existing datasets or development of educational materials, videos, case studies, or other resources is encouraged. 
• More specific responsibilities will be determined in partnership with UEM and will be developed to compliment the skills and interest of the student selected to fill the position.

Click here to apply by March 29, 2026.

Department: UK Sustainability; Occupational Health and Safety
Location: Peterson Service Bldg. (411 S Limestone St) – 100% in person at location

Position Overview: 

The Green Labs intern will work with UK Sustainability and Occupational Health and Safety on improving energy efficiency in lab environments. This role supports the UK User-Led Environmental Lab Excellence (UKULELE) Program by working with operational and lab stakeholders to develop new or enhance existing initiatives. The intern will contribute to projects focused on energy efficiency, waste reduction, stakeholder engagement, and more. Familiarity with lab environments (such as coursework or research) is required. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Support initiatives that minimize the environmental footprint of lab operations through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and other sustainable practices.
• Assist in maintaining lab environments that are safe, healthful, clean, and accessible for all users.
• Contribute to optimizing lab environments to support excellence in teaching and research.

Click here to apply by March 29, 2026.

Department: Kentucky Climate Consortium
Location: Remote - 100%

Position Overview: 

The Kentucky Climate Consortium (KYCC) Intern will assist KYCC with their efforts to provide Kentuckians access to reliable, accessible, and relevant information about the climate. Ideal candidates will have experience or interest in learning how to communicate about scientific topics, write website content, use a website content management system, and manage event logistics.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Contribute to climate-related public outreach materials, including website content.
• Create and manage distribution of the bi-weekly KYCC newsletter.
• Manage the monthly Climate Chat event series, including recruiting speakers.
• Support planning and logistics for the Spring 2027 Kentucky Climate Symposium.

Click here to apply by March 29, 2026.

Department: UK Recycling 
Location: Peterson Service Bldg. (411 S Limestone St) – 100% in person at location

Position Overview: 

UK Recycling is seeking a motivated student to assist with zero-waste initiatives that will help to achieve UK’s goal of becoming a zero-waste campus by 2030. The student will choose a focus on one of three diversion methods for their internship project (Reduction & Reuse, Composting, or Recycling) as well as which functional area their project focuses on (Operations, Administration, or Education & Outreach). In addition to the internship project, the student will have general responsibilities to support UK Recycling’s work.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Work with campus-wide stakeholders to improve and expand recycling and composting operations.
• Assist with campus outreach and education efforts such as the Annual Thrift Shop Pop-Up, America Recycles Day, and tabling at campus events and some weekend home football games.
• Evaluate data to understand the University’s zero-waste progress and opportunities for growth.
• Research diversion opportunities, such as new recycling partners and reusable product alternatives.

Click here to apply by March 29, 2026.

Department: Tracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environment
Location: Hybrid – 50% remote; 50% 312 Breckinridge Hall

Position Overview: 

The Sustainability Research and Impact Intern will assist the Tracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environment (TFISE) with its mission to stimulate, spotlight, and support transformative environmental and sustainability research at the University of Kentucky. Ideal candidates will have experience or interest in learning how to communicate professionally with a wide range of stakeholders, conduct program assessment, and facilitate research administration.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Contribute to developing and implementing assessment tools for TFISE research stimulation programs, including the Tracy Farmer Scholars, Sustainability Challenge Grant, and Impact Fund.
• Assist in managing the application process for TFISE research stimulation programs, including the Tracy Farmer Scholars, Sustainability Challenge Grant, and Impact Fund.
• Support the TFISE Director’s stakeholder outreach and engagement efforts.
• Assist in planning and logistics for TFISE programming, including the Fall Campus Sustainability Keynote, the Careers in the Environment Showcase and Career Fair, and Spring Kentucky Climate Symposium.
• Attend and support TFISE programming, including the Fall Campus Sustainability Keynote, the Careers in the Environment Showcase and Career Fair, and Spring Kentucky Climate Symposium.

Click here to apply by March 29, 2026.

Department: Forestry and Natural Resources 
Location: 15% in person at location, Remote – 85%

Position Overview: 

The Soil and Water Extension Team, embedded in the Forestry and Natural Resources Department, develops outreach materials and delivers programming around soil and water conservation for Kentucky farmers and landowners as well as general environmental education programs for a variety of Extension audiences. Our team is seeking an enthusiastic intern to assist us while learning the science of conservation practices, the how-to of Extension program development and delivery, and strategies for effective environmental education.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Support development of and management of educational resources including podcast, publications, digital curricula, and website.
• Assist in distribution of educational materials at outreach events.
• Develop and deliver outreach program(s) for Water Week.

Click here to apply by March 29, 2026.

Department: Office of Sustainability 
Location: Peterson Service Bldg. (411 S Limestone St) – 100% in person at location

Position Overview: 

We are looking for a creative and motivated intern to join our team for the 2026-2027 academic year as part of the Sustainability Internship Program. The Storytelling and Communications intern will play an essential role in developing engaging content and initiatives for UK Sustainability’s website and blog, WholeSum. The ideal candidate will be passionate about sustainability, a strong writer, and be able to tell compelling stories that inspire action.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Collaborate with the Office of Sustainability team to develop communication strategies that align with current initiatives.
• Research and write blog posts for the WholeSum platform on a variety of sustainability topics.
• Recruit guest contributors and amplify diverse voices within the University community.
• Attend and participate in sustainability events on campus to inform your content. 

Click here to apply by March 29, 2026.

Department: Office of Sustainability 
Location: Peterson Service Bldg. (411 S Limestone St) – 100% in person at location

Position Overview: 

We are looking for a creative and motivated intern to join our team for the 2026-2027 academic year as part of the Sustainability Internship Program. The Sustainability Content Creator intern will play an essential role in developing engaging content and initiatives for UK Sustainability’s social media platforms. The ideal candidate will be passionate about sustainability, have experience with graphic design, understand social media marketing techniques.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Collaborate with the Office of Sustainability team to develop communication strategies that align with current initiatives.
• Create and schedule engaging social media content.
• Recruit guest contributors and amplify diverse voices within the University community.
• Attend and participate in sustainability events on campus to inform your content. 

Click here to apply by March 29, 2026.

Department: Transportation Services
Location: Parking Structure 7 (721 Sports Center Drive) – 100% in person at location

Position Overview:

The Sustainable Transportation Intern will work directly with the University’s Alternative Transportation Manager to promote multi-modal transportation options such as walking, scooting, cycling, riding the bus, and the incentive programs associated with them. The intern will assist with data collection and analysis and will help plan and staff outreach events aimed at raising awareness of transportation resources available on campus. The ideal candidate is passionate about reducing car-dependency on campus and in Lexington. With the help of the department mentor, the chosen candidate is encouraged to sign up for course credit through their department’s 399 course or the experiential education program (EXP 396).

Key Responsibilities: 

• Providing programmatic support for alternative-transportation programs (including but not limited to biking, walking, e-scooters, ridesharing, bus, etc.).
• Assisting with developing partnerships, outreach materials, and educational tools around multi-modal transportation initiatives. 
• Assisting Transportation Services with the yearly bike count.
• Developing an independent project which supports multi-modal transportation initiatives and impacts campus in a positive way.

Click here to apply by March 29, 2026.