Leaders in Environment and Finance (LEAF) Student Fellowship Program

The Environmental Finance Center at the UNC School of Government is dedicated to enhancing the ability of governments and other organizations to provide environmental programs and services in fair, effective, and financially sustainable ways. Learn more at www.efc.sog.unc.edu.

The EFC at UNC has a dual mission to provide assistance to communities through training and applied research, while also educating students who will become future leaders in the field. Through the Leaders in Environment and Finance Fellowship program, the EFC at UNC has partnered with a wide variety of organizations involved in environmental service provision in North Carolina, including utilities, local governments, and private firms to host students for a ten week professional summer fellowship experience. At the end of the 10 weeks, the student will spend the fall semester working part time at the EFC at UNC completing a related research project, or assisting on an applicable EFC at UNC project. Four fellows (graduate and undergraduate) will be chosen. Some preference may be given to students who can use fall research for an undergraduate or Master’s thesis. 

The Host Sites:

Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), Carrboro, NC

OWASA is a community-owned utility that provides customers with high quality and reliable water, wastewater, and reclaimed water services through responsible and creative stewardship of the resources they manage. For more information, visit www.owasa.org.

OWASA is seeking an undergraduate student to work closely with their Sustainability Manager and Director of Finance and Customer Service in their Carrboro office. This student will work on a variety of projects related to water conservation and water use data, focusing on using customer water use data to inform financial planning and rate setting.  The student should have strong data analysis skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently without a high degree of supervision.

Triangle J Council of Governments (TJCOG), Durham, NC

TJCOG is a regional local governing entity that provides diverse collaborative and technical services to its member governments and other stakeholders in NC. For more information, visit www.tjcog.org.

TJCOG is seeking an undergraduate or graduate student to work on a Nutrient Study of Falls Lake. This is a multi-year, joint study with several groups at UNC, including the EFC. This student will have two main tasks: 1. Research the ancillary benefits of green infrastructure. 2. Research funding green infrastructure via interdepartmental funding frameworks, including conducting case studies in the Falls Lake watershed. This student will continue this work in the fall at the EFC as part of our project team. This student should have strong research skills and an interest in public policy.

NC GreenPower Corporation, Raleigh, NC
NC GreenPower is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit improving the state’s environment by supporting renewable energy, carbon offset projects, and providing grants for solar installations at K-12 schools. For more information, visit www.ncgreenpower.org.

NC GreenPower is seeking a graduate student to work in their Raleigh office. Please check the EFC’s website for an updated job description, which will be available in the coming weeks. All applications will be considered for this position.

Envirolink, Inc., Raleigh, NC

Envirolink, Inc. is a full-service utility management company that specializes in providing water, wastewater, and public works services to municipalities, counties, industrial, and private clients in the Carolinas. For more information, visit http://www.envirolinkinc.com/

Envirolink is seeking a graduate student to work in their Raleigh office. Please check the EFC’s website for an updated job description, which will be available in the coming weeks. All applications will be considered for this position.

Start Date: Mid-May. The fellow will work for 10 weeks over the course of the summer.

Compensation: $16/hour for graduate students; $13/hour for undergraduates

Essential Skills, Knowledge, and Experience:

We are seeking a variety of skills, depending on host site selected. Some include:

• Very comfortable with Microsoft Excel
• Strong data analysis and research skills and experience
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Not afraid to ask questions when needing guidance
• Recommended: Major or degree in finance, engineering, planning, statistics, science, mathematics, economics, environmental sciences, information science, policy, etc.
• Incoming undergraduate seniors or incoming second-year graduate students are preferred. Fellow must be able to return to the EFC at UNC in the fall.

Please send a resume and cover letter, indicating your top choice if applicable, to Allison Perch (perch@sog.unc.edu). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged.