Student Sustainability Assistants – Sustainability at Carleton

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, student clubs, local environmental organizations, and other groups that would like to further incorporate sustainability into their work. They also serve as representatives to the 11 office Peer Leader Program and contribute to programs such as New Student Week and Winter Workshop.

Sustainability Assistants (STAs) help carry out campus-wide sustainability initiatives and serve as a resource for students, faculty, and staff. STAs report to Carleton’s Director of Sustainability and typically focus on 1-2 areas of expertise—Food Systems, Climate Communication, Zero Waste, Energy & Operations, or Community Science. While specializing in one or two tracks, all STAs assist with major events like Climate Action and Earth Week planning. Together, we build sustainability literacy and support advancing campus-to-community climate goals with campus and local partners.

Applications to be a Sustainability Assistant open up during spring term along with all other peer leader positions. See the Peer Leader Program Website for details.

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).
We sometimes hire a few freshmen and transferring students into our program working with Student Employment.
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!