Interns are an integral part of the success of the Solar Living Institute on a daily basis and the key to the organization's on-going mission of promoting sustainability through inspirational environmental education. Under a work-trade agreement, interns assist staff and participate in programs operated by the Institute. This may include: helping to coordinate and host workshops; assisting with maintenance and construction of facilities; caring for the organic garden; landscaping; support logistics for special events; giving tours to school groups; marketing, helping around the office; and much more!  General Schedule of Work-Trade Program

• Seven month internships from April 1st to October 31st; (It can be shorter subject to supervisor approval.)
• Work a total of 32 hours per week in collaboration with the focus area supervisor
• Provide Kid's Educational tours of Solar Living's site
• As part of the work/trade arrangement, interns participate in solar and sustainable living courses, live onsite in simple, rustic accommodation, eat organic produce from the gardens and fresh eggs from our chickens, have opportunities to network at special events/meetings, a Real Goods store discount, and the benefits of being part of the Solar Living Institute family.
• Interns are expected to be professional during their working hours, adhere to Institute guidelines, and report to supervisors.

Intern Village Lifestyle
Our village has a large communal living space (30-foot diameter yurt) equipped with cooking and dining facilities, lounge area, library, wireless and desktop internet access.  The village also has both indoor and outdoor mosaic cob showers, an outdoor wood-fired earth oven, seating area, fire pit and chicken coop.  Interns living in the village participate in and assist with cooking, cleaning, and other chores as necessary.
As an intern living in community, you will also:

• Live cooperatively and harmoniously with each other during your time at the Institute.
• Participate in democratic or consensus decision-making and conflict resolution within the intern group.  Open, mature and positive communication is expected.
• Provide Kid's Educational tours of the Solar Living Center.

If desired, interns may camp on-site during their internship, providing their own tent and sleeping supplies and may also choose to live off-site.  All interns are responsible for their own transportation needs.
The Institute encourages all who have thoroughly reviewed our intern program, including the living situation and the focus area descriptions to apply for a position.
Interested in seeing first hand how the interns live and what they do day-to-day?  Check out the Intern Blog!
 

How to Apply
2012 Internship Program!  If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please review the following information and submit the following:

• A personal statement
• A cover letter which includes the focus area for which you are applying
• A current one-page resume including 3 work or volunteer related (non-personal) contact references
• A 250 - word personal biography
• Preferred format is MS Word docs, pictures in .jpg, bmp, png format

All application materials can be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or mail your application via postal mail to:
     The Solar Living Institute
     Attn: Intern Application
     PO Box 836
     Hopland, CA 95449
Applications will be considered incomplete if they lack any information listed above, and will not be considered a viable candidate. Please indicate the focus area to which you are applying in your cover letter.

Any questions regarding the intern program can be submitted via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - we look forward to hearing from you!
 

Internship Focus Areas
Every intern is expected to remain flexible, and could be asked to assist in any program area, on an as-needed basis. Be sure to click on the "read more details" of each focus area to view the tasks, benefits & qualifications before you apply.

The Communication Interns will work closely with events, marketing and production staff, and other interns to assist with the production of in-house and outside events and outreach. The interns will assist with various aspects of planning and implementing events related to renewable energy and sustainable living education and career development. The interns will also assist in developing a quality, well-coordinated marketing strategy for ongoing workshops and special events such as conferences, PV manufacture trainings, and MoonDance (or other fundraisers).

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The Workshop Interns will assist in coordinating a wide range of sustainable living and renewable energy workshop priorities, including curriculum preparation and revisions, workshop hosting and coordination, instructor support, support for hands-on activities, and promotion.

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The site interns will work closely with the Site Manager to assist in maintenance and design of the 12-acre demonstration site, with the intention of establishing both an aesthetically pleasing and functional learning tool in support of the Solar Living Institute's educational programs and public demonstration. The intern's physical assistance and knowledge is important in maintaining the landscape and facilities on a daily basis. This ultimately will promote the long-term health of both the living and built environments at the Solar Living Center, thus ensuring an enjoyable, inspiring, and educational experience for the visiting public.

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