Job Description:

Sustainability Apprentices will be responsible for leading a team of up to six high-school aged interns under the guidance of a Spark-Y educator to tackle real-world projects within the St. Paul and Minneapolis community. Apprenticeships will consist of a two-week long orientation & training period followed by 7 weeks of leading interns through hands-on projects centered around the topics of water stewardship, urban farming/horticulture, and aquaponics. Through this experience, Apprentices will lead, organize, and prepare meaningful educational opportunities that result in an increased sense of self and their community. They will also gain skills in mentorship, project management, budgeting, urban agriculture, and entrepreneurship.

Deadline to apply: Friday, April 28th at 5pm

SCHEDULE

Start Date: June 12th (July 3rd- July 7th off))

End Date: August 18th

Timing: Monday - Thursday from 9:00 am - 4pm (30 minute lunch break)

COMPENSATION

  • $15/hr

  • Urban Agriculture Certification

  • Entrepreneurship Certification

  • Metro Transit Bus Pass (if requested)

ELIGIBILITY AND SKILLS

Apprentices must be 18-24 years old and have the ability and/or willingness to:

  • Communicate effectively with interns, supervisors, other staff, and the public.

  • Create a welcoming and safe environment that allows high school aged students to grow.

  • Plan for and lead activities catered to a group of interns for 5 hours a day, 3 days a week in collaboration with a Spark-Y Educator. 

  • Have an interest in teaching/learning about the topics of urban farming/horticulture, water stewardship, and aquaponics. 

  • Perform tasks including bending over, kneeling, climbing stairs and ladders, standing for long periods of time, and walking significant distances.

  • Work in varying weather conditions (ie. rain, excessive heat, etc.).

POTENTIAL PROJECTS

  • MWMO Green Roof: Maintain Mississippi Watershed Management Organization’s green roof and collect data on water capture and filtration, plant growth, and its impact on the environment. 

  • Holland Basin Rain Garden: Provide plant care and maintenance at the Holland basin, a local rain garden planted by Spark-Y youth in 2021. 

  • North Central Regional Aquaculture Center (NCRAC): Create and produce an educational video demonstrating how to fillet tilapia to prepare tilapia tacos found in the Spark-Y cookbook. 

  • Spark-Y Educational Timber Frame: Construct an Educational Timber Frame based off of a blueprint while learning the principles of this carpentry technique.

  • Agriculture Growth and Research Innovation: Design and build an outdoor kitchen for the WEE farm (Wellness and Education for Everyone) and produce a culturally relevant garden layout for the 2024 growing season.

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter here by April 28th at 5PM.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

At Spark-Y we value passion, community, balance, integrity, and growth.

We’re a forward-thinking organization fueled by resourceful innovators that take the initiative to better serve our mission. We strongly encourage BIPOC and youth from underrepresented groups to apply. Please also consider applying if you’ve been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact interns@spark-y.org to make any accessibility accommodations. EEOC Employer.