Sustainability and Community Engagement Fellow

SEI’s Climate Corps Fellowship program offers the chance to lead impactful climate and community resilience projects while gaining paid, hands-on experience. This full-time, bridge-to-career opportunity pairs fellows with host organizations, from local governments to nonprofits and businesses, to drive real-world change.

About the Opportunity 

Start Date: September 1st, 2026

Length of Fellowship: 10 months

Location Type: Hybrid (Monday-Thursday on site)

Are you passionate about tackling climate challenges and driving sustainability solutions? As a Sustainability and Community Engagement Fellow in the Climate Corps Fellowship program, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to impactful sustainability initiatives with the City of Milpitas Public Works Department - Environmental Team. This is a hybrid position with the expectation of onsite work Monday through Thursday.

In this role, you will be dedicated to supporting the implementation of Milpitas' recently adopted Climate Action Plan Update. The Sustainability and Community Engagement Fellow will focus on community engagement and education to accelerate the adoption of carbon-free homes and all-electric home appliances and transformations. This position will develop engagement campaigns and activities, staff community events, recruit, train, and coordinate community volunteers, and track and report on participation. This position will also work with regional partners and neighboring communities on climate initiatives. This position will also coordinate and track the progress of citywide climate initiatives. This position offers a unique opportunity to develop your professional skills, grow your network, and contribute to the City of Milpitas' sustainability goals.

About Our Partner: The City of Milpitas

The City of Milpitas is a flourishing community in Silicon Valley, home to over 80,000 residents. The updated Climate Action Plan, adopted in 2022, provides guiding strategies across all sectors for the City to meet its net neutrality goal by 2045. The team gets to work directly with residents on their journey to become more sustainable and integrate climate action into their everyday lives.

What You’ll Do

• Develop outreach and education materials related to the benefits of all-electric home appliances and carbon-free lifestyle choices.
• Develop and staff activities at local community events designed to pique interest in and raise awareness of electrification and decarbonization.
• Prepare reports and presentations.
• Track climate action plan implementation, metrics, and GHG inventories.
• Participate in regional forums and meetings to coordinate programmatic efforts and collaboration opportunities.
• Work with other city staff and departments to promote sustainability, increase awareness of climate issues and programs, and develop creative approaches to community engagement.
• Recruit, train, and organize community volunteers to support and staff events and activities.

What We Provide

• A fixed, monthly stipend of $3500.
• $1000 end-of-program financial award.​
• Health care coverage with 100% of health care insurance premiums covered by SEI.
• 10 Personal Days (for a standard 10-month Fellowship), in addition to all holidays off that are observed as closure days by the partner placement site.
• Comprehensive career-readiness training, including interview prep, salary negotiation, and resume building.
• Panels, workshops, and networking with climate resilience industry professionals, including attendance at monthly climate resilience working group meetings and conferences.
• Professional networking and learning opportunities.
• The University of California Climate Stewards Certification equips you to lead community and ecosystem resilience initiatives.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience or education in renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change, climate action, or environmental policy.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Experience with social media, including engaging content creation. Basic to intermediate graphic design skills are a plus.
• Quick learner and creative problem solver.
• The ability to work onsite on a hybrid basis (Monday-Thursday). Only candidates currently residing within commuting distance of the site address will be considered.
• Commitment to a fair workplace that honors the experiences, voices, viewpoints, and values of all individuals.
• Authorization to work in the United States for the duration of the fellowship (SEI is unable to sponsor visas).
• May require occasional moving about to accomplish tasks, moving from one worksite to another, or adjusting or moving objects under 25-50 pounds in all directions.
• Must be 18 years or older to apply.

Nice-to-haves

• Spanish, Chinese, and/or Vietnamese fluency
• College degree in a related field of study
• Coursework or related experience in environmental fields (e.g., internships, volunteer work)

We encourage everyone interested in this position to apply, even if you don’t meet every qualification. We value all perspectives and believe that a unique background can bring significant strengths to this role, even if some qualifications are not fully met.

Climate Corps Fellowships are classified under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as temporary, educational internships that emphasize training and career development, and thus no employment relationship exists, nor is compensation required. However, while not considered traditional employment, Fellows receive a living stipend and professional development support throughout the program.

Recruiting Timeline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage early submissions, as we may stop accepting new applications once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates is identified.

Climate Corps, a program of SEI, is an award-winning fellowship designed to prepare the next generation of leaders in sustainability and climate action. Our fellows work on cutting-edge sustainability and resiliency projects with local governments, nonprofits, and businesses, building essential skills and creating real-world impact. Since 2010, Climate Corps has empowered over 800 Fellows to work with 500+ partners on 1,350 transformative projects. With nearly 99% of Fellows continuing careers in sustainability, you could be the next environmental leader shaping a better future!

SEI is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to uplifting the experiences, voices, viewpoints, and values of all individuals. We believe that a wide array of perspectives contributes to creative climate solutions where all communities can thrive. We strive for a workforce that reflects the communities we partner with and serve, especially those most impacted by climate change and environmental, social, and economic injustice. We welcome candidates who share SEI’s commitment to cultivating a people-centered work environment. Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

By applying to the Climate Corps Fellowship, you'll automatically be considered for all relevant positions. Apply only once to the position in your geographic region that best matches your background.