SEI’s Climate Corps Fellowship program offers the chance to lead impactful climate and community resilience projects while gaining paid, hands-on experience. This full-time, bridge-to-career opportunity pairs fellows with host organizations, from local governments to nonprofits and businesses, to drive real-world change.
About the Opportunity
Start Date: June 1st, 2026
Length of Fellowship: 10 months
Location Type: On-site
Help optimize the systems that power a university campus while building hands-on experience in energy efficiency and central plant operations. As a Central Plant Efficiency Specialist in the Climate Corps Fellowship program, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to impactful sustainability initiatives with CSU Dominguez Hills. This is an on-site position with the expectation of on-site work 5 days per week.
Working under the Director of Central Plant and Strategic Energy Projects at the Central Plant, you will gain hands-on experience in data verification, analytics, and retro-commissioning. This role offers a unique opportunity to apply theoretical engineering concepts to real-world technologies and manage state-of-the-art monitoring systems. It is an ideal bridge for students seeking practical expertise before transitioning to professional engineering firms.
In addition to technical tasks, you will engage with internal departments, utilities, and vendors to support campus energy goals. A primary focus includes participating in the Clean Energy Optimization Pilot (CEOP) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Following the motto "If Better is Possible, then Good is not Enough," you will be a key team member in analyzing best practices and ensuring the university’s ongoing environmental performance.
This position offers an incredible opportunity to develop your technical and analytical skills, grow your network, and play a direct role in advancing CSU Dominguez Hills’ campus-wide energy performance.
Some of the projects you will work on include:
About Our Partner: CSU Dominguez Hills
Founded in Carson following the 1965 Watts Rebellion, California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) provides transformational, culturally sustaining education to South Los Angeles. As a leading Hispanic-Serving Institution with the CSU system's highest African American enrollment, the university is dedicated to social and economic mobility. Through innovative research and strong community partnerships, CSUDH fosters equitable growth for its undergraduate and graduate students while maintaining a deep commitment to educational justice.
Beyond its academic mission, CSUDH is a national leader in sustainability, having reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 71% between 2019 and 2025. The campus utilizes cutting-edge data analytics and intelligent monitoring systems to manage energy consumption, earning numerous accolades, including the 2025 Digie award for "Most Intelligent Higher Education." By integrating advanced technology with efficient infrastructure management, the university continues to set the standard for environmental stewardship in higher education.
Partner-Provided Benefits (in addition to Climate Corps Benefits):
What You’ll Do
What We’re Looking For
We encourage everyone interested in this position to apply, even if you don’t meet every qualification. We value all perspectives and believe that a unique background can bring significant strengths to this role, even if some qualifications are not fully met.
What We Provide
Climate Corps Fellowships are classified under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as temporary, educational internships that emphasize training and career development, and thus no employment relationship exists, nor is compensation required. However, while not considered traditional employment, Fellows receive a living stipend and professional development support throughout the program.
Recruiting Timeline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage early submissions, as we may stop accepting new applications once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates is identified.
Climate Corps, a program of SEI, is an award-winning fellowship designed to prepare the next generation of leaders in sustainability and climate action. Our fellows work on cutting-edge sustainability and resiliency projects with local governments, nonprofits, and businesses, building essential skills and creating real-world impact. Since 2010, Climate Corps has empowered over 800 Fellows to work with 500+ partners on 1,350 transformative projects. With nearly 99% of Fellows continuing careers in sustainability, you could be the next environmental leader shaping a better future!
SEI is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to uplifting the experiences, voices, viewpoints, and values of all individuals. We believe that a wide array of perspectives contributes to creative climate solutions where all communities can thrive. We strive for a workforce that reflects the communities we partner with and serve, especially those most impacted by climate change and environmental, social, and economic injustice. We welcome candidates who share SEI’s commitment to cultivating a people-centered work environment. Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
By applying to the Climate Corps Fellowship, you'll automatically be considered for all relevant positions. Apply only once to the position in your geographic region that best matches your background.
SEI is an environmental nonprofit that builds leaders to accelerate climate solutions.
For 28 years, SEI has partnered with schools, communities, and businesses to develop a leadership pathway from elementary school to early career. Our flagship programs (Energize Schools, Energize Colleges, Climate Corps, Climate Corps Education Outside, and Energize Careers) educate and empower students and emerging professionals to create thriving, resilient communities.
