Environmental Health and Sustainability Intern – Waste Diversion and Food Safety na City of Aspen

Job Postings Closing Dates: A job posting may close before the listed deadline if the number of applications reaches the limit for that position. If the original deadline produced fewer applications than expected, the posting may remain open longer. 

Application: The application must be filled out completely; stating "see resume" anywhere in the application, is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.

The City of Aspen is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Title: Environmental Health and Sustainability Intern – Waste Diversion and Food Safety 
Department: Environmental Health and Sustainability 
Classification: Non-Exempt, Temporary

Pay Range:  $21.16/hour min - $23.28/hour mid - $25.40/hour max

Position Summary: This intern supports the Environmental Health and Sustainability department. The intern will work on waste diversion and recycling and food safety at special events in the city. They will educate the public about waste diversion and recycling, and coordinate efforts between the city and other organizations to reduce waste. They will assist in waste reduction programs as well as pursue individual projects in conjunction with special interests in waste diversion and sustainability. This position works closely with and provides food safety education to event coordinators and food vendors to reduce the potential for foodborne illness spread at special events. This is an amazing opportunity for students interested in Sustainability Studies, Public Health, or a future career in municipal government.

Supervision Exercised and Received: This position works under the general supervision of the Sustainability specialist with support from Consumer Protection program staff and the Special Events department. This position does not exercise direct supervision over any other position.
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Essential Job Functions:  

Education and Compliance Assistance
•    Auditing City-permitted special events to ensure they are following the zero-waste standards of the City of Aspen. Conducts inspections of food vendors at special events for compliance with food safety rules. Many special events occur on weekends. The intern is expected to be in attendance for the duration of the events. 
•    Communicates, in writing and in person, food safety requirements to event coordinators and temporary food vendors.
•    Training special event hosts on waste diversion practices (recycling and composting) and supporting their efforts to keep the recycling and compost free of trash. This involves physically removing trash from the compost and recycling. 
•    Educating the public about waste reduction through printed materials, attending community events, and face-to-face interactions with businesses. 
•    Participates in the department’s effort to train community members, visitors, businesses, and internal staff on how to properly divert waste through reusables, recycling, and composting at special events, workplaces, and HOAs. 
•    Supports the department’s variety of special recycling program events. 

Data Entry 
•    Recording data about waste diversion at Special Events on City properties. 
•    Recording data about the waste found in the alleys. 
•    Recording observations regarding food safety compliance at special events.

Maintenance 
•    Cleaning, labeling, and repairing waste collection tools distributed to the public by the city (i.e. table, tent, event bins) 
•    Preparing events with trash, recycling, and composting containers. This involves lifting, bending, and carrying materials of 20lbs for small distances.

Departmental Support 
•    Assists the Waste Diversion Team in the Environmental Health and Sustainability Department with their seasonal programs (e.g. Recycle Center, Special Events, Bear Outreach, Composting and Recycling Programs). 
•    Assists the Consumer Protection Team in the Environmental Health and Sustainability Department with special events.

City Organizational Values:
•    Supports and models the City of Aspen organizational values: Service, Partnership, Stewardship, and Innovation. Organizational values are shared principles that guide behavior across the organization.  This position is responsible for upholding and applying these values while performing daily work functions.  
•    Other duties as assigned.
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Core Competencies:  Displays the following key competencies and behaviors in the overall job performance to include knowledge, skills and abilities:

•    Service: Provides service with excellence, humility, integrity, and respect in daily work, builds trust by listening, treats people with respect, acknowledges opportunities for improvement, and follows through with commitments. 
•    Partnership: Actively creates strong, supportive internal and external relationships to attain a common goal and achieve greater impact together.
•    Stewardship: Balances social, environmental, and financial responsibilities, evaluating the impact of decision making on a thriving future for all.  
•    Innovation: Develops technical expertise to pursue new ideas and creative outcomes, grounded in Aspen’s unique culture, opportunities and challenges.  
•    Communication: Knowledge of effective and appropriate communication.  Ability to use knowledge effectively in various contexts which may require oral, written, visual and non-verbal communication. 
•    Interpersonal: Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills, showing empathy, tact, and respect while working effectively with diverse individuals in various situations. Committed to continually strengthening these abilities.  
•    Technology: Demonstrates technology skills sufficient for the nature and level of position.  Demonstrates a willingness to learn new technologies and transition job duties accordingly to support technological advances and innovation.
•    Food Safety & Sustainability Basics: Knowledge of basic waste reduction strategies and food safety requirements, or willingness to learn

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Minimum Qualifications:  
Education: High School diploma is not required for this position. 
Technical Knowledge: Must be proficient in the following areas: Microsoft Outlook Email, and a basic understanding of computers and online computer-based technology applications, which includes accessing web-based platforms.  
Licenses & Certifications: Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License or be able to obtain one within 30 days of start date.

NOTE: Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required abilities, knowledge and skills as determined by the City of Aspen may be substituted for the requirements above.

Position Type and Work Hours:  
•    Temporary, from mid-November 2025 to mid-April 2026, averaging between 15 to 24 hours per week (may vary with workload).  
•    Weekends and evenings may occasionally be required depending on department needs and special projects.

Work Environment:   
•    Indoors: Office environment. 
•    Outdoors/Off-Site: Meetings, trainings, and site visits at a variety of city facilities and areas. Project work sites include special events taking place outdoors, potentially in adverse weather.

Physical Demands: 
Bending: Bending or position oneself to move an object from one level to another. 
Carrying: transporting or moving an object. 
Climbing: Ascending or descending stationary objects.  
Crouching: Bending body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.  
Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination: Performing work through using two or more body parts or other devices. 
Gripping/Grasping: Ability to apply pressure with fingers and palm.  
Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, through use of hands, fingers, or other means.  
Hearing: Perceiving and comprehending the nature and direction of sounds. 
Lifting: Moving objects weighing no more than 20 pounds from one level to another.  
Reaching: Extending the hands and arms or other device in any direction. 
Repetitive motions: Making frequent or continuous movements. 
Sitting: Remaining in a stationary position. 
Standing: Ability to sustain position for a period of time.  
Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.  
Talking: Communicating ideas or exchanging information.  
Visual Acuity: Ability to bring objects into focus. 
Walking: Ability to move to traverse from one location to another.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
  
This job description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.