HOW YOU’LL MAKE AN IMPACT

As a Green Schools Research Assistant, you will contribute directly to the work of the Center for Green Schools by supporting real projects that impact our organization and mission. You will report to the project manager for school district environmental health and collaborate with teams such as Research & Innovation, IT, and Marketing.

During this internship, you will focus on two distinct research questions:

• Question 1: What practical applications can we draw from the most recent research regarding the impact of school environments on student health?

• Question 2: Drawing from the content and apparent effectiveness existing school district sustainability plans, what advice can we give school districts about the creation of these plans?

This work will support the Center for Green Schools’ core mission to support and train those working to implement sustainability within school systems and will help inform future decisions, policies, or improvements. You will also:

• Gain hands-on experience working on meaningful initiatives
• Develop professional and technical skills
• Partner with experienced professionals across teams
• Lead a defined project with measurable outcomes

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the internship, you are expected to deliver:

• Related to Question 1, above:
  • Updated content for the School Health Research Library, which includes conducting a literature review of research published within the last year and a half and tagging results for filters within the library search function.
  • Detailed list of potential topics for short publications to translate school environmental health research into practice.

• Related to Question 2, above:
  • Thorough list and outline of school district sustainability plans from around the U.S., including district demographics and plan content areas.
  • Interview notes for 5-10 interviews with school district staff regarding the effectiveness of their sustainability plans and any lessons learned that they would pass along to peers.
  • Drawing from research and interviews, a suggested list of questions that could be included in the Center’s regular job profile survey for sustainability professionals in K12 school districts.
  • Final draft of a guidebook for school districts on the creation of sustainability plans for their districts, including an annotated template plan for their use.

• Final presentation for the Intern Showcase.

KEY LEARNING AREAS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Collaborate with other members of the Center for Green Schools team and external school district stakeholders' gather insights and coordinate deliverables
• Hone skills related to interview preparation, execution, and synthesis
• Support literature review, data collection, and analysis
• Develop presentations and written materials for leadership and partners
• Participate in team meetings and learning sessions
• Track progress and document work through regular written updates and meetings with supervisor
• Maintain accurate records of weekly hours worked
• Prepare and deliver a final project/research presentation

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience

• Prior internships, research projects, volunteer work, or relevant coursework that included qualitative research activities and substantial writing experience in green building, environmental health, environmental science, public health, or similar.

Education

• Graduate students whose studies and research interests include green building, environmental health, environmental science, public health, or another relevant field. Relevant coursework in qualitative and quantitative research methods for summarizing technical findings is particularly important.

Technical Tools

• Familiarity with:
  • Microsoft Office programs

Skills

• Analytical and critical thinking
• Written and verbal communication
• Organization and time management
• Research and data interpretation
• Collaboration and adaptability

BENEFITS OF INTERNING WITH USGBC/GBCI

• Exposure to organizational leadership and cross-functional teams
• Networking opportunities in the built environment and sustainability sectors
• Weekly check-ins with internship supervisor for regular feedback and coaching
• Structured onboarding and training
• Participation in the Intern Showcase
• Remote work flexibility
• Resume-building, portfolio-quality work
• Access to O365 and USGBC/GBCI resources
• Mandatory weekly educational sessions with subject matter experts 

INTERN LOGISTICS

Location: This position is remote in the United States.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM in the intern’s time zone. Note: Interns are not compensated for holidays or personal time off.

Hiring Process:

• One interview
• Two professional references required for finalists

Internship Cohorts:

• Cohort 1: June 1st , 2026 to August 21st, 2026
• Cohort 2: June 22nd, 2026 to September 11th, 2026

If you have vacation scheduled where you will be absent for more than 5 days, we encourage you to not apply. 

Compensation: Hourly rate: $20–$25 per hour, based on education and experience. Compensation is determined using an internal intern pay matrix and is not negotiable.

EEO STATEMENT

The U.S. Green Building Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

ABOUT US

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to accelerating and scaling the transformation of the built environment. Through LEED—the world’s most widely used green building rating system— and initiatives likes Greenbuild, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy, USGBC empowers professionals to drive market transformation that advances human and environmental health, climate resilience, and equity.

Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) is the world’s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body, independently recognizing excellence in performance. GBCI administers project certifications and professional credentials and certificates including LEED, EDGE, PEER, PERFORM, SITES, TRUE Zero Waste, and IREE.

We are proud to be globally recognized for our leadership in green building, environmental performance, and sustainable development.

Our Global Impact

• Over 120,000 LEED-certified commercial projects worldwide
• Millions of square feet of certified healthy, efficient, low-carbon space
• Recognition in 180+ countries for innovation in green building and business practices

Why Join Us?

At USGBC and GBCI, you’ll work alongside passionate, mission-aligned professionals who care deeply about people, the planet, and progress. We offer:

• A purpose-driven, inclusive culture
• Opportunities to grow your career and take ownership of meaningful work
• A chance to make a measurable impact on global sustainability efforts
• We’re seeking team members who thrive in collaborative environments, are committed to excellence, and want to build lasting partnerships that drive change in the built environment.

Meet Our Leaders and Learn More about our Mission:    

• U.S. Green Building Council Leaders 
• Green Business Certification Inc Leaders

Culture and Values Statement

Working together, each of us advances our mission by respecting all voices, trusting and supporting one another, excelling through collaboration and accountability, and continuously improving ourselves and our organization.