Pine Mountain Settlement School Sustainability Initiative Internship


PMSS is a National Historic Landmark located in the Appalachian Mountains of southeastern Kentucky on an 800-acre campus of mountains, valleys, forests, and streams. The school operates from over twenty buildings, including library, plant center, dormitory, residential homes, and a large central building. The school also maintains 25 acres and intensively farms over 5 acres.

In its early years, Pine Mountain was nearly a self-sufficient operation with a fully functioning farm, woodworking shop, print shop, and weaving and sewing rooms. Since 1972, the School has been an environmental education center using the surrounding forested mountains, streams and fields as outdoor classrooms. Approximately 3,000 students take classes at Pine Mountain during a typical year.

Pine Mountain has several buildings that were constructed from 1913 to 1940. At present, none of the buildings are heated or cooled with renewable energy sources and all electricity is sourced from the electrical grid.

As part of the Sustainability Initiative, Pine Mountain Settlement School is working towards:

• Increasing the energy efficiency of our buildings, and decreasing our energy use
• Creating models for projects that homeowners can use that incorporate resource-saving features.
• Moving toward more sustainable agriculture practices on our farm fields to grow even more food for our dining hall while improving the quality of our land
• Strengthening our relationship with the surrounding community, helping local families to grow nutritious food, and helping to create a profitable marketing system for local growers

In Fall 2012, we will host one sustainability intern at PMSS. The 2012 Sustainability Intern will have the challenging and exciting opportunity to work:
• In the farm, orchard, and community garden.
• On energy efficiency and conservation efforts throughout the campus
• With community events and in the gardens of local growers through our Community Agriculture Project, Grow Appalachia.


The intern will work with the sustainability, environmental education, farm, kitchen and maintenance staff at PMSS.


Description of work

The sustainability internship program is designed to teach an individual a realistic view of what is involved in implementation of sustainability efforts. We will host one intern in 2012 who will receive significant personal attention. Depending on the interests of the intern, the training could focus on a variety of the following tasks:

• Whole systems assessment and analysis of PMSS energy consumption (including heating, cooling, electricity, transportation, and food)
• Conceptualize, research, design, and implement energy efficiency efforts
• Research, design, and installation of small scale renewable energy projects
• Equipment maintenance and repairs
• Building maintenance and repairs
• Safe use of hand and power tools
• All aspects of vegetable production
• Garden season extension
• Harvest record keeping
• Fence repair and installation
• Tree pruning, felling trees, use of a chain saw
• Landscape beautification, flower, shrub, and tree planting, stone wall construction
• Homesteading skills: food preserving, freezing, drying, and canning
• Invasive Species Removal
• Delivery of educational programs




Minimum qualifications:
• Interest in sustainability concepts
• Experience doing manual labor
• Experience working with a variety of people
• Ability to lift up to fifty pounds
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Commitment of sixteen weeks
• Willingness to work on a variety of projects
• A love for the natural world and a desire to share it with others
• Willingness to live in a rural, isolated environment
• Ability to work without direct supervision
• Basic knowledge of computer programs (Word, Excel, and Internet)

Desired (but not required) qualifications:
• Leadership skills
• Basic carpentry skills
• Experience with permaculture, biodynamic, and/or organic gardening
• Experience with sustainability concepts related to environmental, economic, and social issues
• Experience with appropriate technology and renewable energy
• Interest and understanding of Appalachian culture

Internship details:
- The fall internship will run from late August through mid-November (exact dates are flexible)
- Approximately 40 hours per week of work, Monday-Friday with some evening and weekend work. Vacation and personal days are negotiable.
- Housing is provided in an on-site intern house — full kitchen, living room, bathrooms, and five separate bedrooms
- Lunch is provided Monday through Thursday as well as some breakfasts, dinners, and weekend meals
- The opportunity to learn new skills
- Possible college internship credits
- The chance to live in a beautiful and complex ecosystem in a rural part of the Appalachian Mountains.



Apply on-line at: http://pinemountainsettlementschool.com/siapplication.php. The application process includes an application, resume, and three references.
We look forward to your inquiry.


Contact: Maggie Ashmore
Sustainability Projects Coordinator
(606)-558-3416 or 3571
mashmore@pinemountainsettlementschool.com
http://www.pinemountainsettlementschool.com