Description

About the Internship

The Office of Sustainability (OS) leads the Port Authority's sustainability policy, target-setting, reporting, and program level strategy, including the Agency's Net Zero greenhouse gas reduction target by 2050 for all emissions. Assignments include hands-on projects where interns quickly become part of the team and help meet the agency's sustainability goals.

Responsibilities:

Specific responsibilities will depend on intern's interest and the team's priorities. Candidates are encouraged to express which sustainability areas are of most interest in their cover letter. Sample areas include:

• Zero Emission Vehicles: OS is working on several efforts to convert diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles and equipment to electric or other low and zero emission alternatives, and to provide charging stations to assist in this transition. The intern will assist with specific projects in partnership with other internal and external stakeholders including but not limited to: research on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure technology and policy, data analysis and visualization of current charging infrastructure usage, planning engagement events with vehicle owners, and support with implementation and testing of pilot projects.
• ACA reporting: Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) is a global carbon management certification program for airports that independently assesses and recognizes airports for managing and reducing their carbon emissions through 6 levels of certification. All five Port Authority airports are currently certified at level 3 (Optimization). The intern will support the annual certification process by gathering relevant climate related data, providing critical review, and coordinating with internal stakeholders.
• Climate Week Event Organization: Each year in September, the Port Authority participates in Climate Week NYC by hosting topical events around sustainability and convening experts to raise the ambition locally and globally when it comes to environmental initiatives. Past topics included sustainable aviation fuel and electric aircraft, and clean construction. The intern would assist with researching the event topic, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, setting the agenda, and facilitating preliminary logistics.
• Energy Use Benchmarking and Energy Management: The Port Authority is committed to reducing energy use from buildings on our property. To address this strategically a prerequisite would be to analyze the energy usage and benchmark against local standards and high-performing buildings. Subsequently, potential measures to manage and reduce energy use need to be implemented. The intern would assist with data analysis and coordination of measures towards this end.
• Airplane Auxiliary Power Unit Usage: Conduct surveys at the Port Authority airports on the usage of airplane auxiliary engines (that provide power to the aircraft while on the ground) usage. Projects would include evaluating emissions and air quality impact, research potential technology solutions for monitoring usage, and exploring potential solutions for limiting the use of these auxiliary engines.
• Zero Waste: Work on the Port Authority's recently initiated Zero Waste program, which aims to reduce overall waste generation at Port Authority facilities, and find opportunities to divert waste toward sustainable end uses such as reuse, repurpose, donation, recycling, composting, anerobic digestion, etc. Projects may include developing an awards program and researching emerging waste management technologies.

• Enrollment at a college/university through Summer 2025 and into the Fall 2025 semester
• Graduate-level student

• Knowledge of and interest in sustainability principles
• Excellent organizational and communications skills
• Research skills and resourcefulness
• Ability to work with a variety of internal and external partners
• Skilled in Microsoft Word/Excel and management of large datasets
• Ability to take initiative to advance projects

• The start date will be Thursday, May 29, 2025
• The internship will last approximately 12 weeks, ending on Friday, August 22, 2025
• This is a full-time internship (5 days per week at 7.25 hours per day)
• The format is expected to be hybrid, with at least 3 days in the office and up to 2 days working from home.

• Only applicants under consideration will be contacted
• If selected to move forward, the hiring team will reach out directly to schedule 1-2 interviews
• Different internships will have different timelines for interviews

• The hourly rate range is $17.63 to $27.21 (the exact rate will be determined by internship type and rising school year)
• Ability to opt in to the New York State and Local Retirement System
• Access to Employee Business Resource Groups
• Facility Tours
• Career Panels
• Social/Networking Events