Sustainability Intern - San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is an international, nonprofit conservation organization with two front doors: the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. We integrate wildlife health and care, science, and education to develop sustainable conservation solutions.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION

The Sustainability Intern will collaborate with our team and external consultants to operationalize and refine vital tools that support our environmental and resource management goals. By leveraging a newly established reporting framework, this intern will assist in the development, fine-tuning, and maintenance of a centralized dashboard—using Microsoft Power BI or a similar platform—to seamlessly map and evaluate energy, water, and waste use across our campuses. Additionally, they will execute standardized data collection protocols, identify tracking gaps, and recommend innovative systems or sub-metering solutions. Ultimately, this work will help us establish a clear operational baseline, pinpoint cost-saving opportunities, and guide strategies to continuously monitor and enhance SDZWA’s sustainability initiatives.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Collaborates with internal teams and consultants to fine-tune and maintain the Environmental Resource Reporting Dashboard. Assists in tracking progress and extracting insights from the data to continuously monitor, measure, and enhance sustainability programs.

• Executes the standardized Environmental Resource Reporting Dashboard Protocol to collect and input periodic utility data. Segments this data to break down our campuses, including the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and auxiliary sites, into distinct zones based on existing meters to review variances in resource use and pinpoint high-priority areas for cost savings.

• Evaluates current data, historic reporting, and existing resources against our new reporting framework to identify missing information and establish key baseline metrics. Researches and recommends operational changes, new systems, or resources to enhance responsible resource stewardship. Culminates in a final capstone presentation that outlines key data insights and presents a compelling business case for strategies that drive operational cost savings while advancing SDZWA’s sustainability goals.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Applicants must be currently pursuing or planning to pursue an undergraduate degree. Candidates who will have completed a bachelor’s degree prior to the end of the internship are not eligible. A cover letter is required and must be included with the application for consideration.

JOB EXPERIENCE

• Training and/or experience that would demonstrate the essential functions, knowledge and skills listed.

• Must be 18 years of age or older

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Strong familiarity with Microsoft Power BI, Excel, and data visualization tools.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to conduct research, interpret utility data, and present actionable business insights.

• Preferred previous experience in conservation research, sustainability, or community engagement.

• Able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Able to work effectively with others in a diverse environment and with diverse populations.

• Able to learn and perform data and sample gathering techniques.

• Experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods.

• Familiarity with conservation issues and strategies.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Location: San Diego , CA

• Position Type: 10-Week Internship from June 14, 2027 - August 20, 2027

• Stipend: $4,160.00

Fraudulent Recruiting

Beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance contacts will use an @sdzwa.org email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance only conducts interviews via phone, Zoom, Teams or in-person.

If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, please e-mail [email protected]. If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud, please contact your financial institution(s) immediately.

At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we celebrate our differences and foster a culture of belonging. Diversity strengthens our employees, enriches our guests’ experiences, deepens our connection to our community, and supports the wildlife we serve.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to [email protected] and provide the job title and location to which you are applying.

As a Federal Contractor, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. We are not offering sponsorship for this position at this time.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a drug free workplace.