Smartscape/ Outdoor Water Conservation Intern
LOCATION
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Fingerprint/background clearance is required.The University of Arizona has a fingerprint/ background clearance process, which we will pay for if intern is selected to work with us. The students can begin their computer security training while the background check paperwork is processed (which takes about three days).
SCHEDULE OPTIONS
Semester availability
FallSpring
Summer
Service hours
MorningAfternoon
Evening
Available days/hours
Selected intern(s) will have a meeting with Program Coordinator, Sr. to discuss a consistent schedule that all parties agree on.
REQUIRED/DESIRED SKILLS
Knowledge of/ general familiarity with Microsoft Office programs; specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Publisher, PhotoShop experience a plus. Spanish-speaking skills highly relevant and useful.
Willingness and desire to learn about water resources and water conservation issues in Arizona.
Environmentally-focused major or strong interests in environmental/sustainability topics preferred.
CATEGORIES
AdultsEducation
Environment/Nature/Sustainability
Marketing
Public Relations
COMMUNITY PARTNER
University of Arizona - Water Sustainability Program
ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP
Duties
Intern(s) will assist the Program Coordinator, Sr. with the Smartscape program. Smartscape is a training program for landscape professionals on the fundamentals of low-water-use landscapes. The course is based on the principles of Xeriscape as well as new and emerging concepts such as green infrastructure, rainwater harvesting, and low impact development. Interns will also assist Program Coordinator with Outdoor Water Conservation Demonstration Area project. This project includes rainwater harvesting design and maintenance, rainwater harvesting installation field days, and weather station data collection and analysis (on site at Univ. of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County office).
Specifically, interns will be assigned the following tasks: Participate in outreach events for the general public to inform people about where their water comes from as well as what they can do to save water outdoors; manage volunteers; develop promotional materials to market Smartscape and wise water use outdoors; analyze and present evaluation data; assist Program Coordinator in Smartscape class set up; grade Smartscape tests; over course of internship, demonstrate sufficient understanding of Smartscape coursework and sustainable landscape concepts; promote water conservation rebates to homeowners; assist Program Coordinator in website maintenance of topical issues related to outdoor water conservation; contribute to social media efforts.
We are on a main busline from the ASU Tempe campus (Broadway Road).
Population served
Smartscape provides an affordable, educational opportunity for both entry-level and advanced/experienced landscape professionals. Many landscape professionals are Hispanic, a minority community. Therefore, the intern will be working with minority communities. Professional development/ continuing education are critical for career advancement. Smartscape serves the community need for affordable educational opportunities for landscape professionals. Additionally, the intern's assistance in the Outdoor Water Conservation Demonstration Area serves the general public by providing them a tangible demonstration site (at Univ. of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County office grounds) that they can visit to gain knowledge and ideas on how to implement rainwater harvesting on their properties or in their communities. Rainwater harvesting can help offset the use of potable water in outdoor landscapes. The intern serves the general public again through the educational displays presented at public outreach events.
Community need/impact
This internship opportunity serves the community need for affordable training and educational opportunities for landscape professionals. Additionally, it addresses the community need for increased knowledge of how to conserve water and irrigate landscapes efficiently to ensure we have adequate water supplies now and into the future.
By completing the internship, students will make an impact on the effectiveness of the Smartscape program, which teaches landscape professionals the latest techniques on irrigation and best care for landscape plants in the Sonoran Desert. Such landscaping strategies and practices have far-reaching impacts on our community by improving our urban environment's appearance, mitigating the urban heat island effect, and conserving outdoor water use, which can account for up to 70% of a household's water bill in Maricopa County. The internship will also impact the community by educating the general public about the benefits of rainwater harvesting as a water conservation tool.
