The Sustainability Assistant (STA) program is a work-study peer leader position for students dedicated to advancing sustainability at Carleton. STAs work with Facilities, Grounds, Residential Life, Bon Appétit, Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE), the Environmental Advisory Committee, and any group that would like to further incorporate sustainability into their work.
STAs focus on outreach and action projects related to energy conservation, zero waste and ethical procurement, food systems, transportation sustainable policies and guidelines. We engage through developing climate action, sustainability, and environmental justice projects, communication, outreach, and events with many partners.
Applications to be a Sustainability Assistant open up during spring term along with all other peer leader positions. Our 5th Year Educational Associate serves as a coordinator for the Peer Leader Program and helps bridge our office with other Peer Leader offices, among other duties.
Learn about becoming a STA
What does work at the Sustainability Office and being a Sustainability Assistant (STA) and Peer Leader entail?
- Collaborate with individuals and offices who are interested in Sustainability
- Create a space at Carleton and in Northfield that focuses on engaging students in sustainability
- Creation of your workshops and roundtables
- Collaborate with departments and disciplines
- Improve communication and interpersonal skills through teamwork and delegation of tasks
- Cowork with fellow STAs and other peer leaders to achieve goals
- Participate in the Peer Leaders programming
At the Sustainability Office, you have the freedom to engage in activities and projects that interest you and fulfill your goals. Here, we focus on environmental justice, energy use and zero waste on campus, sustainable policy at Carleton, and transportation justice. We both meet community needs and support ideas that STAs are interested in pursuing.
When and how do we hire?
- Applicants submit a resume and cover letter through Handshake (typically announced in mid/late February with submissions due in the last week of March, exact dates will appear on the Peer Leaders website).
- Applications will be reviewed, and qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview with current STA’s and Sarah Fortner, Director of Sustainability.
- You do not need to have engaged with the Sustainability Office before applying for this position, nor do you need to have a background in sustainability or climate justice and adjust realms. We welcome applications from everyone!
2024–25 STAs
Sustainability Assistants
Hello! My name is Grace Bassekle (she/they) and I am a SOAN major. My objective is to use storytelling to illustrate what sustainability means through an environmental justice lens. During my first year as a STA, I organized a round table series, worked on sharing individual sustainability stories, hosted an alum speaker, and wrote project proposals. I am so pleased to be a STA and excited for our future endeavors!
Hi! My name is Eli Watt (they/she) and I am an Environmental Studies major. As a member of the Food and Outreach Teams, I’m working to increase the variety of plant-based options in the dining hall, as well as advocate for ethical purchasing choices that center sustainability and farmworkers’ rights. In addition, I run the sustainability office’s Instagram page — go check it out!