2027 Facilities Internship
Boost your chances before you apply.
Occidental Arts & Ecology Center
CA
Summary
The facilities intern is responsible for maintaining and improving the buildings and infrastructure at the OAEC site. Tasks include performing repairs, construction projects, and general site maintenance such as plumbing, electrical work, and forest management.
Job Description
FACILITIES INTERNSHIP
The Facilities Internship entails a diverse array of work maintaining and improving the buildings and infrastructure at OAEC. The facilities intern works in areas such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, woodworking and forest management. Tasks vary from simple, quick repairs to multi-week construction projects. While much of what we do is functional in its approach, we do not pass up an opportunity to employ an artistic sensibility in our work.
Typical Tasks
Facilities Interns will have the opportunity to learn many of the following types of work, depending on the needs of the organization throughout the year:
- Regular maintenance responsibilities of OAEC infrastructure including potable and agricultural water, septic systems, retreat center needs, energy systems, etc.
- Carpentry and furniture building, based on skills and aptitude of intern.
- Electrical and plumbing, new work and remodel
- Wildlands and tree work.
- Roof care and replacement
- Painting and staining
- Maintaining aesthetic standards of the site to serve retreat center, community, and staff needs.
- Chop wood and carry water.
General Qualifications
- Basic understanding of trade skills (e.g. carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting, tile, etc.). Proficiency in one or more areas is preferred.
- Ability to easily lift 60 lbs. throughout the day.
- Ability to easily take instruction and apply lessons.
- Curiosity about how things go together.
- A sense of joy in working hard and a job well done.
Applicants are encouraged to draft answers to the questions in a separate document, then copy and paste answers into the question fields when they are ready to submit.
If you are interested in applying for internships in multiple departments, complete this form and return to the internship webpage to fill out additional applications.
Applications for 2027 internships open on September 1st, 2026, and close at 5pm on October 16th, 2026. We look forward to receiving your submission!
The Occidental Arts & Ecology Center (OAEC) is an 80-acre research, demonstration, education, advocacy and community-organizing center in West Sonoma County, California that develops strategies for regional-scale community resilience.
OAEC hosts retreats and strategic planning meetings for organizations, networks, public agencies and other groups working towards social and ecological justice. In a typical year, the Center receives over 3,000 additional visitors for our courses, volunteer days, site tours and organic plant nursery. Thousands more benefit from our organizing campaigns, public presentations, heirloom seed swaps, and consulting services.
We offer public tours April - October every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 1pm and welcome you to join us every Wednesday from 10am-5pm for garden volunteer day. Please note that our site is otherwise not open to the public for drop-in visitors. Visit our website oaec.org to learn about taking a permaculture design course, bringing your like-minded organization here on retreat, or many more ways to get involved.
Founded
1994
Company size
11-50 employees
Industry
Environmental Services
Org type
Nonprofit
Headquarters
Occidental, California
The Occidental Arts & Ecology Center (OAEC) is an 80-acre research, demonstration, education, advocacy and community-organizing center in West Sonoma County, California that develops strategies for regional-scale community resilience.
OAEC hosts retreats and strategic planning meetings for organizations, networks, public agencies and other groups working towards social and ecological justice. In a typical year, the Center receives over 3,000 additional visitors for our courses, volunteer days, site tours and organic plant nursery. Thousands more benefit from our organizing campaigns, public presentations, heirloom seed swaps, and consulting services.
We offer public tours April - October every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 1pm and welcome you to join us every Wednesday from 10am-5pm for garden volunteer day. Please note that our site is otherwise not open to the public for drop-in visitors. Visit our website oaec.org to learn about taking a permaculture design course, bringing your like-minded organization here on retreat, or many more ways to get involved.
Founded
1994
Company size
11-50 employees
Industry
Environmental Services
Org type
Nonprofit
Headquarters
Occidental, California