Description
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey offers paid internships to students that provide the opportunity to work with knowledgeable and experienced professionals on assignments critical to operating, maintaining, and expanding the transportation infrastructure for one of the greatest economies in the world. Assignments include hands-on projects to cultivate technical, writing, communication, and team-building skills. The diversity of our businesses creates a variety of opportunities for students to gain exposure to the work of a first-class public agency.
The Office of Sustainability (OS) is looking for an intern to join their team! Specific responsibilities will depend on interns’ interest and the team’s priorities. Sample project areas include:
- Renewable Energy Procurement: OS is actively evaluating multiple options for increasing the renewable energy composition of its electricity consumption. The intern will assist with efforts such as evaluating opportunities for green energy procurement, such as power purchase agreement, evaluation of PA policy towards renewable energy credits, and synthesis of green energy market data.
- Vehicle Electrification: OS is working on several efforts to convert diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles and equipment to electric, 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 innovative charging infrastructure technology, organization of processes and data related to current charging infrastructure usage, support with implementation of a workplace charging pilot program, and research opportunities and application development for electrification-related grants.
- 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: 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. The intern would assist with data analysis towards this end.
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel: OS is working with PA-Aviation and a number of external stakeholders on efforts to advance the availability of sustainable aviation fuel in the NY/NJ region and create awareness amongst the general public. The intern may assist with efforts such as coordination of demonstration projects, follow-up research needs identified from a supply and infrastructure study currently underway, and an associated public awareness campaign.
- 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.
About the Office of Sustainability:
The Office of Sustainability (OS) is the department that leads Agency sustainability policy, target-setting, reporting, and project/program development and implementation. The Port Authority was the first US transportation agency to align with the Paris Climate Agreement in 2018, and to adopt a 50 percent by 2030 and net-zero greenhouse gas reduction target by 2050 to align with goals of the U.S. federal government.
Qualifications
- Candidates must be students enrolled in a graduate program returning to their program during the Fall 2023 semester.
- We are seeking interns who are talented, driven, and have a genuine interest in contributing to the success of the New York/New Jersey region.
- We welcome applications from a diverse range of majors/minors.
- Successful candidates will be self-starters with excellent communication, research, and applicable technical skills.
Desired Skills
- Ability to reach out to and coordinate with a variety of internal and external partners, experience in stakeholder engagement
- Excellent organizational and communications skills
- Skilled in MS Word, Microsoft excel and management of large datasets
- Research skills and resourcefulness
- Self-starter: ability to take initiative to advance projects
- Knowledge of and interest in sustainability principles, for instance, understanding of renewable energy and alternative transportation fuels
- Good understanding of climate change related data and management systems
Internship Details:
- The duration is expected to be approximately 12 weeks, starting in the beginning of June 2023
- This internship will require work 5 days/week at 7.25 hours/day
- The format is expected to be hybrid, partially in-person and partially virtual
- These details are subject to change
The application deadline is Monday, January 16 by 5:00 PM EST.
How to Apply
- Click “Apply Now”
- Follow the prompts
- Make sure you submit the following:
- A resume (please make sure to include your expected graduation date)
- A cover letter detailing why you want to work at The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. Candidates are also encouraged to express which sustainability area(s) is of most interest in the cover letter.
The Selection Process
- Only applicants under consideration will be contacted
- Interviews will likely start toward the end of January
- Interns are selected based on academic achievement and work experience, in addition to analytical and communication skills
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should apply to this job by clicking on the “Apply Now” button and submitting a combined cover letter and resume. The Port Authority of NY & NJ welcomes veteran and military spouse applications.
Only applicants under consideration will be contacted.
About The Port Authority:
Founded in 1921, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. The agency’s network of aviation, ground, rail, and seaport facilities is among the busiest in the country, supports more than 550,000 regional jobs, and generates more than $23 billion in annual wages and $80 billion in annual economic activity. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center site, where the 1,776-foot-tall One World Trade Center is now the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey/Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Experience Information
- Apply By
- Jan 16, 2023
- Website
- jointheportauthority.com/jobs/11479115-summer-intern-office-of-sustainability?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic