Pine Mountain Settlement School Sustainability Initiative Internship Announcement
Summer 2008 intern, Jonna Sears, and Sustainability Director, Randal Pfleger
As part of the Sustainability Initiative, Pine Mountain Settlement School is working towards:
• Reducing use of fossil fuels and moving toward sustainable energy sources, particularly active and passive solar power, wind, micro-hydro, and geothermal systems.
• Making better use of farm lands to grow more food for the School and the local community.
• Creating models for projects that homeowners can use that incorporate resource-saving features.
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.
In 2010, we will host one sustainability intern at PMSS. The 2010 Sustainability Intern will have the challenging and exciting opportunity to work:
• In the farm, garden, orchard, and community garden.
• On energy efficiency and conservation efforts throughout the campus and renewable energy project design.
• With community and educational events and programs.
The intern will work with the sustainability, environmental education, farm, kitchen and maintenance staff at PMSS to develop more awareness and appreciation of sustainability efforts.
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 2010 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- to medium-scale renewable energy projects
• Equipment maintenance and repairs
• Building maintenance and repairs
• Safe use of hand and power tools
• Building construction, carpentry, insulation, weather-stripping, window glazing
• All aspects of vegetable production
• Harvest recordkeeping
• Rainwater collection system maintenance
• 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
• 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
Desired (but not required) qualifications:
• Leadership skills
• Basic carpentry skills
• Basic knowledge of computer programs (Word, Excel, and Internet)
• Experience with permaculture, biodynamic, biointensive, and/or organic gardening
• Experience with sustainability concepts related to environmental, economic, and social issues
• Experience with appropriate technology and renewable energy
Internship details:
- The 2010 summer internship will run from early June through mid-September (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.
- A rewarding life experience!
Apply on-line at: http://pinemountainsettlementschool.com/siapplication.php. The application process includes an application, resume, and three references. Please submit all application materials by February 1, 2010.
We look forward to your inquiry.
Contact: Randal Pfleger
Sustainability Director
(606)-558-3594
rpfleger@pinemountainsettlementschool.com
http://www.pinemountainsettlementschool.com