Orientation & Saturday UT Surplus REuse Store Intern - Summer 2026

Job Posting Title:

Orientation & Saturday UT Surplus REuse Store Intern - Summer 2026

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Hiring Department:

Facilities Services

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

14

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FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2026

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Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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Job Details:

General Notes

Open to Work Study and Non-Work Study
To Apply: Submit resume & cover letter (as PDFs). For your cover letter, please copy and paste the following questions. Be sure to keep the same numbering and formatting when answering. Answer each one in 1-2 paragraphs (approximately 100-200 words). Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis starting in April.
1. Please tell us why you want to participate in the Resource Recovery Student Internship Program.
2. What are you hoping to get out of this position?
3. What skills or experiences do you have that would make you a good fit for this program/position?
4. Are you looking to fulfill an internship requirement for your major or Connecting Experience for a Bridging Disciplines Program certificate (please share which one)?
5. Use this space for any additional comments or considerations.

Resource Recovery is a department within UT Facilities Services that encompasses both Zero Waste and Surplus Property. Resource Recovery is tasked with improving sustainability at UT, with a focus on our Zero Waste goal of diverting 90% of materials from the landfill. Major diversion strategies include reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting.

As a member of the Surplus team, the majority of your responsibilities will be focused on supporting Surplus Property in selling no longer used materials to the general public through a retail store. Students lead preparation of sales items for the store as well as store operation. Additionally, students will work on special projects such as event planning, social media content creation, weight diversion analysis, and more.

You will also be involved with Texas Orientation by supporting zero waste meals. This includes setting up and managing outdoor zero waste stations, removing contaminants, as well as engaging with incoming freshmen.

Team Members are not expected to have any sustainability background – only interest in learning! Training will be provided for all tasks. See what our interns have been up to on Instagram (@utzerowaste and @utsurplusproperty).

Purpose

You would be a member of the Surplus Property team supporting the REuse Store, which sells no-longer-used materials to the public. Students handle item prep, store operations, and special projects like event planning, social media, waste audits, and more. This position will split time between UT Main Campus and the JJ Pickle Research Campus (10100 Burnet Rd.) accessible via CapMetro (free with UT ID). Applicants must be available on Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon. and one lunch shift M-W 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Responsibilities

• Possess strong organization skills and attention to detail to prepare for store sales events.
• Encourage store attendance by participating in communications and marketing postings.
• Demonstrate knowledge of sustainability considerations, including understanding the role that Surplus plays in achieving UT’s waste diversion goals.
• Provide professional customer service that represents UT and the department well.
• Interpret and analyze data collection.
• Practice project management activities such as planning, coordination, and implementation.
• Attend and participate in weekly meetings.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Current UT Student (graduating seniors eligible). Show enthusiasm for sustainability practice and value waste reduction. Able to work on Saturdays, one Orientation lunch shift and travel to JJ Pickle Research Campus. Have an interest in retail sales and design. Convey professionalism through interactions. Have strong written and verbal skills. Able to work independently and participate in team projects. Be a detail-oriented self-starter who is adaptable. Must be able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly.  Work outdoors and in a warehouse environment.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior sustainability experience. Possess an interest in business management. Advanced skills with Microsoft Office Suite applications. 

Salary Range

$13.00/hour

Working Conditions

• All weather conditions
• Extreme temperatures
• Chemical fumes
• Standard office
• Biohazards/chemicals
• Electrical/mechanical
• Keyboard
• Manual dexterity
• Climbing of stairs and ladders
• Lifting and moving
• Exposure to adverse weather conditions and hazards such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and loud noises. Will lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds. May twist, grasp, pull, and bend. 

Work Shift

• 14 hours per week: Required Saturdays 8:00 a.m.-noon and Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays (specific day to be assigned based on team and personal schedules), 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. for Texas Orientation support. Eight additional hours T-F, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. for store item preparation and project work and attendance at weekly meeting. The employment term is May 1 - August 15 with Texas Orientation activities June 1-July 31. May 1 start date is flexible.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

Students in this position may choose to enroll in the UTSaver voluntary retirement programs.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.