Urban Sustainability Fellow

CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS

Urban Sustainability Fellow at Garden School Foundation

Location: Los Angeles, California

Number of Positions Available: 8

Time Commitment: September 21, 2026 - August 13, 2027

This is a full-time, 11-month, 1700-hour program from September 21, 2026 - August 13, 2027. Fellows in this position commit to a 40-hour work week, Monday - Friday, approximately 7:30AM - 4PM, with occasional evening and weekend commitments based on project needs. 170-340 of these hours are dedicated to professional development. 

**Please note: Due to the full-time commitment of the Fellowship, students enrolled in undergraduate courses between Sep 21, 2026 - Aug 13, 2027 will not be eligible to participate in the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship.

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About the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship

The California Climate Action Corps has over 400 positions available across California for the 2026-27 CCAC Fellowship. This is a climate-focused, workforce development program for emerging climate and environmental leaders. These are paid, full-time fellowships—similar to internships—with 170-340 dedicated hours for professional development and training, providing hands-on experience in the climate field.

CCAC Fellows are matched with organizations across California to mobilize communities to take direct climate action and lead projects focused on wildfire resiliency, urban greening, and organic waste diversion.

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Applications are accepted May 1 - July 31, 2026, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 19.

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Program Benefits

GSF fellows will join a well-established community of GSF Garden Educators and advocates within the broader GSF community of supporters and participants. We have a small staff with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and can provide deep content knowledge, expertise, guidance, support, and camaraderie. Fellows would also be exposed to our extended network of Los Angeles-based food justice, food policy, sustainability, and school garden organizations and professionals, thereby connecting with colleagues across the sector. GSF regularly schedules field trips to local farms such as Crop Swap LA and Black Thumb Farms and offers fellows regular professional development opportunities, including workshops, demos, site visits, and more. Other benefits include:

• Receive a $35,250 stipend (before taxes) distributed evenly over the 11-month service term
• Receive $10,000 in education awards (before taxes and upon completion of 1700 hours)
• Participation in 170-340 hours of training and professional development
• Receive $300 in professional development funds
• Receive food assistance via CalFresh (for those eligible)
• Forbearance on existing qualifying student loans and interest payments accrued during the service term
• Minimum essential healthcare coverage
• Childcare assistance (for those eligible)

Description of Duties

Garden School Foundation’s Cafeteria to Compost: Food Waste Prevention and Redistribution Program harnesses the full transformative potential of school gardens to reduce the amount of food headed to the landfill, increase kids’ access to fresh, whole foods, and train the next generation of environmental stewards. Through the daily practice of sharing, sorting, and composting cafeteria food, students take concrete action to address both food access and climate change. This hands-on climate action builds agency, reduces feelings of hopelessness about the future, and shows children that meaningful change starts on their own campus. Serving with GSF means joining an innovative, campus-based climate action model for LAUSD and school districts nationwide. In the 2024–25 school year alone, the program redistributed 23,829 pounds of edible food to families and generated 18,000 pounds of compost on campus—diverting significant organic waste from landfills while nurturing vibrant school garden beds. Fellows contribute to measurable environmental and social impact while gaining mentorship from experienced GSF Educators and Gardeners, access to Master Gardeners, and robust professional development opportunities. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Lead experiential composting and climate action lessons for students, including Student-Led Composting Green Teams
• Implement daily food recovery and compost systems by setting up scrap stations, guiding lunch sorting, redistributing edible items, and managing compost from collection to finished product
• Coordinate after-school redistribution efforts and on-campus Farmers Markets to expand access to nutritious foods for school families
• Mobilize volunteers and community members during Garden Days and public events to advance urban greening and campus climate initiatives, including hot compost system building and maintenance, native plant installation, and assembly of garden beds and trellises
• Track program data and analyze results to quantify climate impact

Minimum Program Eligibility Requirements

• Live in California by August 14, 2026
• Be at least 18 years of age by August 14, 2026
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, or lawful US resident to participate

Preferred Qualifications/Skills

Ability to lift up to 30 lbs, and experience in community outreach, composting, data/quantitative analysis, diverse outdoor conditions (rain, wind, heat, steep or uneven terrain), edible food recovery, engaging with K-12 students, environmental education, environmental justice/equity, event coordination & planning, Google suite, habitat restoration, landscape management, marketing & social media, multi-stakeholder collaboration, native plant management, project management, public speaking/facilitation, technical writing, traditional ecological knowledge, tree planting/care, and volunteer management & engagement. Access to a reliable vehicle and must possess a valid driver's license. Fluency in Spanish is a plus. Other valuable contributions include:

• An interest in climate change mitigation, volunteerism, or public service
• Experience with outreach, education, training, or community behavior change
• Fundamental understanding of climate change science, environmental policies in California, and/or environmental priorities
• Excellent organizational, writing, interpersonal, and speaking skills

About Garden School Foundation:

Garden School Foundation (GSF) provides in-depth garden-based education to youth at Title I schools in Los Angeles, strengthening connections between food justice, environmental stewardship, and community health. By using the full transformative potential of school gardens as teaching sites, we nurture a healthy and mindful generation of children who care for their bodies, their communities, and the earth. More info: gardenschoolfoundation.org

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Apply Today!

Applications are accepted May 1 - July 31, 2026, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 19. Interviews will take place May-Aug, with all positions filled by September 4, 2026. This is a competitive program, and interviews are not guaranteed. CCAC is an equal opportunity Fellowship with a preference for candidates already living in the communities they will serve. Applicants can select up to 5 preferred positions within the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship application.