Environmental Sustainability Intern (Tlingit & Haida) - Summer 2026

Job Title: Environmental Sustainability Intern

Location: Juneau, AK

Job Summary:

Join Tlingit & Haida’s Environmental & Natural Resources Division this summer and contribute to sustainable waste reduction in Southeast Alaska! The Division is advancing a regional composting network to lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduce landfill dependence, and create nutrient-rich compost for local use.

As an Environmental Sustainability Intern, you’ll work hands-on with staff to operate and enhance the Tribe’s internal composting program. Your work will include collecting organic waste from Tribal enterprises, loading and monitoring the in-vessel composting system, tracking data on compost volumes, and helping develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide daily operations. You’ll also prepare a detailed report summarizing the program’s results, including greenhouse gas reductions and cost savings from diverting waste away from landfill disposal.

This position provides practical experience in sustainable operations, data collection, and environmental management while contributing directly to Tlingit & Haida’s climate action and stewardship goals.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Collect and transport organic waste from Tlingit & Haida departments and enterprises.
• Operate and monitor the in-vessel composting system, including loading feedstock, recording temperatures, and maintaining system logs.
• Track and analyze data on compost input/output volumes and performance metrics.
• Assist in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for compost operations and organics pickup routes.
• Help draft a final report summarizing compost program outcomes, including estimated greenhouse gas reductions and cost savings.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized composting site.
• Collaborate with Environmental & Natural Resources Division staff to refine operations and document best practices.
• Support internal outreach and education efforts on sustainable waste management practices.
• Work outdoors in variable weather conditions and occasionally outside normal business hours, as needed.

Possible Projects/Deliverables:

• Develop and refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Tribe’s composting and organics collection program.
• Collect and analyze daily composting data, including volume, temperature, and moisture metrics.
• Create a Compost Program Summary Report detailing organics collection routes, system efficiency, and opportunities for improvement.
• Calculate estimated greenhouse gas emission reductions and cost savings from landfill diversion.
• Support development of signage, training materials, or outreach tools for Tribal departments and enterprises participating in the composting program.
• Conduct a small-scale assessment of compost quality or end-use applications for Tribal gardens or landscaping.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong organizational, data collection, and recordkeeping skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet programs.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Interest in environmental science, composting, or sustainable resource management.
• Willingness to perform hands-on physical tasks such as lifting, loading, and sorting materials.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be a Sealaska shareholder, descendant of a shareholder, or spouse of a shareholder.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.

Education and Experience:

• Must be 18 years old at time of hire
• Must be currently enrolled in post-secondary school/program or a recent graduate (1-2 years)
• Legally authorized to work in the United States

Preferred:

• Familiarity with composting systems, recycling, or solid waste management.
• Experience developing written reports or technical procedures.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Minimum 2.5 GPA.

Application Process:

• Complete online application at Sealaska.com/careers by January 11, 2026 to be considered for the first round of application review.
• Submit a resume, recent transcript (unofficial), and a cover letter with online application.
• You may be asked to provide proof of your status as a Sealaska shareholder, shareholder descendant, or shareholder spouse.
• You must successfully complete a background check prior to onboarding at Sealaska.

About Sealaska Intern Program

The Sealaska intern program exists to uplift Sealaska shareholders and their descendants pursuing post-secondary education with meaningful career experience, learning opportunities, and a supportive community. Interns explore career interests, grow professional skills, and connect with the unique and vibrant cultures of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people. You will spend the summer with peers who share an Alaska Native heritage, learning from each other and building a community as you venture into your careers. Learn more at sealaska.com/careers/summer-internships.

Working Conditions:

The physical and work environment characteristics 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.

Physical Demands:

• Field work may require bending, kneeling, squatting, or standing for extended periods of time
• May need to hike short distances on unstable surfaces and challenging terrain.
• Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move 25 pounds regularly.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will primarily work in an outdoor setting and business office.
• Expect to assist with light fieldwork once a week.

This description is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. It is intended to accurately reflect the activities and requirements of the position, but duties may be added, deleted, or modified, as necessary. This description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Review the Benefits associated with this position: https://www.sealaska.com/benefits/

What To Know

Sealaska and its affiliates do not make job offers without first conducting live in-person or virtual interviews, and they do not conduct interviews by email/text. Please be sure to confirm the legitimacy of all job postings on the sealska.com careers page and https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/sealaska/CANDIDATEPORTAL careers site before sharing any of your personal information.

Who is Sealaska? Established in 1972, Sealaska is the Alaska Native regional corporation for Southeast Alaska. Our 23,000 shareholders are Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people with more than 10,000 years of ancestral ties to the oceans, forests and communities of Southeast Alaska. We serve the twin goals of economic prosperity and environmental protection.

We are committed to providing the best possible climate for maximum development and goal achievement for all our employees. As a Native-owned company, Sealaska Corporation is proud to promote an inclusive and diverse workplace, with respect for the cultural traditions in the communities where we operate.

Sealaska Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. However, preference may be extended to an enrolled member of a federally-recognized Indian Tribe.*

*“Indian Tribe” means an Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 668; 43 U.S.C. 1601) which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.