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Energize Colleges Building Science & Efficiency Intern

12345 El Monte Rd, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 (Hybrid)

Be a part of the Climate Solution!

Start Date: 

Length of Internship: 3 months 

Location Type: Hybrid

Are you interested in energy efficiency and sustainability? Do you want to learn about and contribute to your campus’s climate change solutions? SEI’s Energize Colleges Program and Foothill-De Anza Community College District are seeking students for the position of Energy Data & Infrastructure Intern. Join the Energize Colleges Program to gain real-world experience by contributing to a meaningful project related to sustainability and energy efficiency!

This is a paid internship. Note that you must be a student of Foothill-De Anza Community College District to be considered for this position. 

The four goals of the Energize Colleges Internship Program are to:

  • Develop intern awareness, knowledge, and behavior associated with energy efficiency concepts, including energy efficiency, demand side management, and electrification.
  • Develop interns’ technical skills and career readiness by providing training, hands-on experience, and work and/or internship experiences.
  • Provide resources and mentoring to increase interns’ knowledge of sustainability and energy careers. 
  • Develop interns’ skills in the coordination of energy, education, and workforce development projects.

This internship requires a commitment to working 12-15 hours per week for a total of 150 hours from April 2026 to June 2026. Interns are compensated at $20 per hour. Interns will assist their site with energy efficiency and/or electrification-related projects, the creation of campus education and outreach resources, and/or the integration of energy efficiency, demand side management, and electrification concepts into course materials.

This is a hybrid position, work is conducted on-site and remote, to be decided with intern and site supervisor at the time of hire.

The Building Science & Efficiency Intern will focus on the qualitative and strategic side of energy management. This role involves benchmarking campus performance against industry standards and developing a roadmap for infrastructure upgrades and behavioral interventions.

 

Key Responsibilities:

  • Theoretical Benchmarking: Utilize American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards and Portfolio Manager data to calculate "Ideal Energy Usage Intensity (EUI)” targets for buildings based on their specific use cases (e.g., Science Labs vs. Administrative Offices).
  • Gap Analysis & Reporting: Collaborate with the Data Intern to identify "Performance Gaps"—discrepancies between theoretical energy needs and actual area-based consumption.
  • Capital Improvement Planning: Research and compile a prioritized report of energy-efficiency measures (EEMs), including estimated return on investment (ROI) and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction for lighting, envelope, and HVAC upgrades.
  • Operational Advocacy: Draft "Best Practice" guides for building occupants and maintenance staff to optimize "plug loads" and thermal comfort without increasing energy demand.

 

Requirements:

  • Be a currently enrolled graduate or undergraduate student at Foothill College or De Anza College (part of Foothill-De Anza Community College District)
  • Be interested in energy efficiency, electrification, and sustainability
  • Either coursework, volunteer work, or experience in any of the following fields: Environmental Science, Architecture, Building Construction, Engineering, HVAC, Real Estate, or Food Service Management
  • Be able to provide a valid Federal W-9 form, required identification, and authorization for employment
  • Be an organized self-starter with excellent time management skills
  • Knowledge, familiarity, and/or a strong interest in climate change and energy concepts
  • Project management or campus organization experience is a bonus, but not required (volunteer work and coursework may count)
  • Strong communication and workplace skills, such as accountability, self-motivation, the ability to work both independently and on teams, respect, openness to giving and receiving feedback, organization, and timeliness.

Recruitment timeline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage early submissions, as we may stop accepting new applications once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates is identified.

SEI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity. We believe that a wide array of perspectives contributes to creative climate solutions where all communities thrive. We strive to reflect diverse communities, especially those most impacted by climate change and other kinds of environmental, social, and economic injustices. Persons of color, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply.

About SEI: Building Leaders For A Resilient World, and Energize Colleges 

SEI is a nonprofit environmental consultancy that builds leaders to drive and accelerate sustainability solutions. For over 25 years, SEI has partnered with schools, communities, and businesses to develop a sustainability leadership pathway from elementary school to early career. The Energize Colleges program helps build a highly qualified energy and sustainability workforce through paid, hands-on internships and fellowships, and academic learning experiences for students to explore sustainability career opportunities. 

Our Hiring Values

SEI is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to uplifting the experiences, voices, viewpoints, and values of all individuals. We believe that a wide array of perspectives contributes to creative climate solutions where all communities can thrive. We strive for a workforce that reflects the communities we partner with and serve, especially those most impacted by climate change and environmental, social, and economic injustice. We welcome candidates who share SEI’s commitment to cultivating a people-centered work environment. Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

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