Green Star


		Green Star Internship Opportunities Many initiatives associated with the Green Star program require additional assistance, beyond what staff members can take on. Below are descriptions of a variety of discreet tasks ideal for internships. Each project will introduce an intern to a specific aspect of Green Star and provide an interesting and challenging work experience. Please contact Green Star at 278-7827 or info@greenstarinc.org for more information about the opportunities. Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Internship Program Green Star is seeking one or two research interns to work on projects associated with environmentally preferable or “green” purchasing. These internships offer students or recent graduates an opportunity to research a topic and develop technical assistance and outreach materials for the business community to assist them in meeting the Green Star Award Standards through green purchasing activities. Below are descriptions of our current projects. I. Green Cleaning Products and Services Green Star recognizes that the purchase of “green” cleaning products and services is a very hot issue right now. Recent stories on National Public Radio have highlighted new choices in the world of green cleaning products and the increased public awareness and acceptance of such products. In addition, new LEED standards for Existing Buildings have been revised to highlight green-cleaning activities in buildings. According to Steve Ashkin, executive director of the Green Cleaning Network, a nonprofit green-cleaning clearinghouse, “This is the year for green cleaning.” Despite the current spike in interest in the green cleaning sector nationwide, businesses in Alaska are still slow to embrace the concept, primarily due to a lack of knowledge about what is available to them and what benefits are associated with using green cleaners. Even businesses that have implemented green-cleaning practices already can easily benefit from information about what is available as the field is advancing rapidly with new, more effective, less expensive, and greener products and product lines. Numerous distributors in Anchorage currently offer green cleaners to businesses directly and to cleaning contractors. Green Star proposes the following project that will benefit businesses and organizations in Anchorage. *Task 1. Research “green” cleaning products available in Alaska* *Task 2. Research commercial cleaning companies in Anchorage* *Task 3. Develop outreach materials for businesses* II. Green Paper Purchasing Over the past few years, Green Star staff has worked to develop a plan to assist Anchorage businesses to more easily and economically access environmentally preferable copy paper, including recycled-content paper, chlorine-free paper and tree-free alternative fiber paper. Most environmentally preferable (EP) paper is purchased in California to meet the demands created by various State and municipal purchasing requirements. Currently in Alaska, only federal agencies and their contractors are under any obligation to purchase recycled paper and with most of this paper going to California, finding the paper at a reasonable price is difficult. It will be necessary to prove a certain threshold of demand for the paper before distributors will make it available. But without the availability, most businesses are unwilling to seek out or commit to using EP paper. Green Star proposes the following project that will benefit businesses and organizations in Anchorage. *Task 1. Research “green” copy paper available in Alaska.* *Task 2. Develop a plan to bring the price down* *Task 3. Develop a plan to make EP paper cost effective and easily accessible for both small and large organization in Anchorage* Internship Details and Timeline Green Star hopes to fill these internship positions immediately (early April 2008). The work for these two projects could be performed by one or two interns, and either simultaneously or consecutively. The stipend offered for part-time work (20 hours per week) is $1,000 per month, or $2,000 per month if full-time (40 hours per week). We anticipate the project starting in early April and lasting either two and a half or five months, depending upon full-time or part-time status. We encourage current or recently graduated UAA or APU students to apply for work either through spring months or summer months, or both. Application Process Please submit a letter of interest and/or a resume via email, fax or paper to: Selection Committee, Green Star, Inc., 880 H Street, Suite 106, Anchorage, AK 99501; or sean@greenstarinc.org (please use the subject line: Internship); or 907-279-5868 (fax). This position(s) was announced on March 22, 2008. The initial review of applications will begin as soon as April 11, 2008, and the position(s) will remain open until filled. We expect to move quickly through the hiring process, so please submit applications early for the greatest opportunity.		Additional Links: Green Star Award Green Events Green Star Schools Site Assessments Electronics Recycling AK Materials Exchange AME Listings
				880 H Street, Suite 106 Anchorage, AK 99501 info at greenstarinc.org 907.278.7827 279.5868 fax