Zero Waste NYC – Internship Opportunity

About Us
Zero Waste NYC is a community-based organization dedicated to advancing sustainability, circular economy practices, and climate action across New York City. We host educational events, workshops to connect individuals, businesses, and organizations with practical solutions for reducing waste and building a more sustainable future.

Position: Intern (Part-Time, Flexible)
We are seeking a motivated, entrepreneurial intern to join our team. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in event planning, partnership development, social media management, community engagement, and sustainability advocacy. The intern will directly support the growth of Zero Waste NYC’s events and programming while building valuable professional skills and networks in the sustainability and social impact space.

Key Responsibilities

  • Social Media & Content Creation

    • Brainstorm, plan, and create engaging content for Instagram, LinkedIn, and other platforms.

    • Stay up to date on social media trends, best practices, and emerging tools to help Zero Waste NYC reach new audiences.

    • Assist with editing video/photo content, writing captions, and designing graphics when needed.

    • Build and maintain a content calendar, including scheduling and posting content consistently.

    • Track engagement and help optimize content strategy to grow our community.

    • Assist with monthly newsletters, marketing campaigns, and promotional outreach.

    • Explore creative advertising or influencer partnerships to grow reach.

  • Event Support

    • Assist with planning and execution of our 4–5 public events per year (markets, panels, networking events, educational activations).

    • Provide onsite support at events, including attendee engagement, vendor coordination, and set-up/breakdown.

  • Workshop Outreach & Business Development

    • Help grow our roster of private workshops (e.g., corporate lunch-and-learns).

    • Conduct research on prospective clients (corporations, co-working spaces, universities, employee engagement platforms).

    • Assist with outreach via email and LinkedIn; brainstorm conference opportunities to promote offerings.

  • Sponsorships & Partnerships

    • Support outreach for workshop/event sponsorships with corporations, B Corps, and mission-driven brands.

    • Use existing sponsorship deck and sample outreach templates to expand prospect list and manage communications.

    • Assist in identifying and cultivating potential brand partnerships or influencer collaborations.

  • Research & Grants

    • Research funding and grant opportunities to expand programming.

    • Support with drafting applications or assembling required materials.

  • Community Engagement

    • Attend Zero Waste NYC events and workshops as a team member and participant, helping to foster a welcoming, inclusive community.

Ideal Candidate

  • Strong interest in sustainability, climate action, and/or circular economy solutions.

  • Passionate about social media and digital storytelling; savvy with Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and emerging platforms.

  • Creative, up to date on trends, and able to brainstorm fresh content ideas.

  • Skilled at editing, writing captions, and creating content that resonates.

  • Organized and proactive with the ability to manage a content calendar.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

  • Comfortable with outreach (emails, LinkedIn, networking) and research.

  • Familiarity with event planning, partnerships, or influencer marketing a plus.

Logistics

  • Commitment: Flexible, part-time (approx. 5–10 hours per week)

  • Location: Remote with in-person support at NYC events/workshops required

    Compensation: Unpaid internship with opportunities for commission on successful workshop bookings and sponsorships; strong networking opportunities and mentorship provided.

    To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to nicole@zerowastenyc.info