Environmental Center student jobs

Most student jobs have been filled at this time.  Openings for student jobs will be posted below.  If you complete an online employment application, you will be considered for any position listed, or for additional openings that become available in Academic Year 2023-24.

You can apply for multiple positions at a time with just one application, or submit an open application to be considered for any open positions that may become available, when you click on any of the “Apply Here” links below. 

Most Environmental Center positions begin at Student Assistant I ($16 to start). Some positions that require more specific experience and skills, for example videographer or graphic designer, begin at Student Assistant II ($16.85 to start).  Student specialist or lead positions will begin at Student Assistant III ($17.69 to start).

The Environmental Center can only hire current students who are officially registered in a degree-seeking program at CU Boulder. More information about jobs and hiring can be read at our hiring information.

Zero Waste Event Assistant

Student recyclers roll large wheeled bins across a field at an event with a large crowd Hiring now for work in Fall 2023, and Spring 2024

Student Assistant I - II.  Work at athletic games, concerts, special events and busy times on the Boulder campus, to ensure that waste is minimized and compost and recycling are properly separated.  Weekend and late night work often required.  Work is hands-on and requires exposure to rain, sun, snow and the handling of waste.  Pay starts at $16/hour but some events pay a higher rate.  Working staff can earn free tickets to concerts and football games.  Large events include:  Fall 2023 home football games Nov 4, and Nov 11; Basketball games December through February; Residence Hall move out and Graduation ceremonies in early May; BolderBoulder 10k race on Memorial Day; summer concerts, and Residence Hall Move-In in August.

Apply here

Zero Waste Assistant

Two students stand sorting at a recycling conveyor belt in the CU recycling facility as cans and bottles roll past them into a large binHiring for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024

Student Assistant I    Work-study applicants strongly preferred!   Work you can feel good about by helping the CU Boulder campus reach its zero waste goals! Learn the business of recycling through hands on work as you sort/process/upstream recycling in the one-of-a-kind Recycling Operations Center located on campus.  Staff will gain practical knowledge on solid waste management, recycling markets, and warehouse operations management. Additional opportunities for extra hours will be offered throughout the year including zero waste support at special events such as football/basketball games, campus events, and concerts. See more info at www.colorado.edu/ecenter/recycling/recycling-center/grounds-recycling-operations-center-groc.  Starting pay $16 an hour with many advancement opportunities.

Apply here

CU Green Labs Team Lead Position

Hiring for 2023-24 Academic Year

Student Assistant III.  The CU Green Labs Program is seeking to hire graduate students who are presently in lab departments (such as MCDB, Chemistry, Physics, JILA, LASP, IPhy, EBio, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biochemistry, Geology, INSTAAR, USGS, and others not listed) to lead on energy/water efficiency efforts, lab member engagement/outreach, and other lab sustainability efforts within their departments or lab buildings associated with their graduate degrees.  The number of hours worked is flexible and is typically between 1 - 10 hours per week.  The graduate school has an overload application process to enable graduate students to take on these roles even if they already have a 50% appointment (this require obtaining departmental and/or PI approval).  Preferred qualifications:  a passion for sustainability and leadership, experience working in a research laboratory, and good interpersonal skills especially within lab environments.  To apply for this paid job opportunity, please fill out this form and indicate that you are applying for a CU Green Labs Team Lead position.

Apply here

Green Greek Fraternity Coordinator

green greek badge

Hiring for 2023-24 Academic Year

Fraternity Representative Student Assistant I - II.  Greek Sustainability Coordinators work in a team - join one sitting sorority representative and one fraternity representative. Responsible for recruiting representatives from each Greek House, leading bi-weekly meetings with reps, and spearheading the creation and implementation of effective zero waste and energy/water reduction strategies in Greek houses. Support zero waste audits and energy/water assessments of the Greek houses in coordination with Reps/Chairs, and ECO-Visits team members.  A key role of this position is to ensure that sustainability initiatives are integrated into Greek Week each spring. Required skills: knowledge and experience working within the Greek community, strong communication skills, desire to help the Greek community be leaders in sustainability.  Preferred skills: self-starter that can lead innovation, and comfortable speaking in front of groups.  Availability required is a minimum of 2 hours a week, up to 7 hours.  $16/hr to start.  Start date flexible - training required before Fall semester classes start, accomodations are made for recruitment.

Apply here

When no positions are posted here, you can still be considered in case openings become available during the current semester.  Please complete our online student employment application, which also will gauge your interest in internships, volunteering, professional networking and other ways of being involved.

Apply here

Students are the heart and soul of the Environmental Center, where innovative ideas and action are harnessed to create sustainable campus programs and behavior change, making a positive impact on the campus community and beyond. Environmental Center student-led projects and ideas have bloomed into sustainable improvements at CU that have been recognized with a Gold STARS rating for the Boulder campus, and that other universities and communities are emulating.

Social justice initiatives are key components of sustainability. The Environmental Center strives to create programs, activities and an organizational culture that embrace social justice, inclusivity and diversity, empowering students with the knowledge and skills to advance social justice efforts as part of sustainability work.

Undergraduate and graduate students who work with the CU Environmental Center are engaged in a variety of majors such as (but not limited to) engineering, business, communication, political science, architecture, biology, education, and environmental studies.  Applications are sought from all students including, but not limited to, underrepresented students at CU – students of color, first-generation students, students with disabilities, LGBTQI students, low-income students and non-traditional students.

Sick leave benefits: All CU student employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 0.034 hours for every 1 hour worked. For example, after a student works 30 hours, they earn 1.02 hours of paid sick leave. Sick leave balances remain with student employees as long as they are continuously employed at CU, and during breaks of no longer than 6 months.