INTERNSHIPS IN GREEN MANUFACTURING

Safety Internship (Ductmate Industries)
Recycled Content Internship (Forms + Surfaces)
Green Business Internship (Iron Oxide Recovery)

OTHER LOCAL GREEN MANUFACTURING INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Efficient HVAC Systems Internship (Comfort Supply)

Safety Internship (Ductmate Industries)

Ductmate Industries Inc. is the largest heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) accessories manufacturer in North America. Ductmate products are sold through a network of over 400 distributors in the U.S., and through a consortium of manufacturers and distributors around the world. Ductmate designs and produce a myriad of HVAC connectors, doors, sealants, and support systems. Ductmate is constantly adding products to accommodate new requirements and applications.

During the summer, the intern will:

  • Develop all safety programs at each facility/center, ensuring that all facilities of DMI companies are compliant with OSHA.
  • Help establish uniform safety and health practices to provide a safe and hazard-free work environment for all employees.
  • Promote a safe and healthy work environment for employees, subcontractors, and vendors. 
  • Help establish, implement, and direct procedures and modifications  to the safety programs to ensure compliance with safety and health regulations at all facilities/centers and maintenance of a safe and hazard-free work environment.
  • Evaluate site safety procedures and ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws, as well as company policies and procedures.
  • Remain current with all Federal, State, and local safety and health regulations applicable to each facility/center.
  • Maintain accurate safety/accident records.
  • Cooperate with Government agencies to preclude or resolve violations.
  • Collaborate with insurance carriers to research trends, develop cost-saving practices, and reduce coverage rates.
  • Help establish safety budget for materials and labor appropriate to each facility/center.
  • Collaborate with facility managers to establish a protocol for resolving issues and maintaining safety and health programs.
  • Develop bi-monthly training of area leaders and supervisors.
  • Help to track and assure completion of change authorizations, and schedules.
  • Conduct audits on all aspects of Process Safety Management program.
  • Report to the Facilities Manager. 

 The ideal candidate should:

  • Have completed at least two years of college.
  • Be majoring in a safety science, environmental management, or other technically related field.
  • Have a strong interest in creating safe work environments.
  • Have knowledge of safety and health procedures, CPR/first aid methods, and familiarity with OSHA Construction Safety Standards.
  • Have a strong desire to learn as the internship evolves.
  • Have good organizational and analytical skills with an emphasis on attention to detail.
  • Have demonstrated strong computer skills including strong Excel skills.
  • Possess strong time management, as well as written and oral communication skills.
  • Possess outstanding people skills, including the proven ability to work in a cross functional environment in defined time frames.
  • Be able to work effectively individually and in a team environment.
  • Be willing to work 40 hours a week during the summer months.
  • Be a resident of the United States.

The ideal candidate should be able to meet the following physical and work environment requirements:

Physical Requirements

  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed; may require walking primarily on a level surface for periodic periods throughout the day, reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required to file documents or store materials throughout the work day. Proper lifting techniques required.

  • Individual must be able to read and communicate in English; read a computer screen; make entries to a database typing at a computer sometimes in excess of two hours; and make/receive telephone calls.

 Work Environment

  • The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • The performance of this position will require exposure to the manufacturing areas where under certain areas require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields and mandatory hearing protection.

  • At other times, the environment will be much like that of a typical office: ambient room temperatures, lighting and traditional office equipment.

This is a non-exempt, paid internship, with pay level based on candidate experience.  Qualified candidates should submit a resume, schedule request, and salary expectations to Pamela McCartney at pmccartney@dmicompanies.com, Attn: Safety Intern or FAX to 724-310-1265

Ductmate Industries, Inc.
210 Fifth St.
Charleroi, PA 15022
www.ductmate.com

Recycled Content Internship (Forms + Surfaces)

Forms + Surfaces designs, manufacture, and markets a wide range of high-end, high performance architectural products for public spaces.  The company sells through specification by architects and also directly to developers, municipalities, property managers, universities, and other end-users.  Forms + Surfaces products are distinguished by beautiful, functional design and very high quality.  Materials, patterns, and finishes from an extensive palette can be mixed and matched across product groups, creating unrivaled opportunity for cohesive design.  Many of our products are based upon easily configurable systems that can be tailored to suit the aesthetic and performance needs of any environment.  The result: a remarkable breadth of durable, interrelated solutions for public spaces.

Forms + Surfaces has taken an active role in using primarily materials that have high recycled content.  We have begun this process by contacting vendors, foundries, and mills to secure information regarding the sourced material’s post-industrial and post-consumer recycled content.  Over the past 18 months, we have secured information from many of our main suppliers; however, the detail has not been available and many f the communications have been informal.  Furthermore, many of the source suppliers have never had to present or track such information.  Therefore, we have identified a project in which an intern would contact source suppliers and work to secure formal documentation stating the recycled information we are seeking.  Furthermore, the intern would develop a database to organize the information received and identify by product line the source suppliers used and their recycled information.

During the summer, the intern will:

  • Contact as many suppliers as possible and secure documentation supporting recycled content levels
  • Develop and populate a database with supplier material details
  • Facilitate the suppliers’ understanding of Forms + Surfaces’ goals and objectives regarding recycled content.
  • Secure information for the recycled content for materials used in individual product lines and organize information received in a presentable fashion segregated by product line.
  • Create a centrally located source of information to assist Forms + Surfaces sales force and engineers in answering questions from architects and contractors regarding recycled content of our materials.

Outcome: Forms + Surfaces will be able to identify those sources that supply material with low recycled content and strategically make decisions work with current suppliers to increased the recycled content in their material (or change suppliers).

The ideal candidate should:

  • Have completed at least two years of college.
  • Be majoring in a technical or other related field.
  • Have a strong interest in sustainable design and business.
  • Have a strong desire to learn as the internship evolves.
  • Have good organizational and analytical skills with an emphasis on attention to detail.
  • Have demonstrated strong computer skills including strong graphic design and Excel skills.
  • Possess strong time management, as well as written and oral communication skills.
  • Possess outstanding people skills, including the proven ability to work in a cross functional environment in defined time frames.
  • Be able to work effectively individually and in a team environment.
  • Be willing to work 40 hours a week during the summer months.
  • Be a resident of the United States.

This is a paid internship, with pay level based on candidate experience.  Qualified candidates should email resumes to Jason Norris at jason.norris@forms-surfaces.com and include when they would be available to begin and end their internship.

Forms + Surfaces
30 Pine St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15223
www.forms-surfaces.com


Green Business Internship (Iron Oxide Recovery)

Iron Oxide Recovery recovers and produces natural iron oxide pigments from wastes associated with abandoned coal mines in Western Pennsylvania.  In 2003, EnvironOxide pigments were named one of the Top 10 New Green Construction Products by BuildingGreen, Inc. 

During the summer, the intern will:

  • Investigate the production of clothing pigmented with EnvironOxide.
  • Help develop and execute a triple bottom line business plan to produce iron oxide-pigmented clothing.
  • Explore options / competitors for PA-made t-shirts.   
  • Assist in marketing and selling thousands of “green” EnvironOxide t-shirts.
  • Gain hands-on experience in several aspects of green product design, business, and marketing.
  • Gain broad experience and exposure to multiple aspects of the company operations and business processes.

The ideal candidate should:

  • Have completed at least four years of college or be pursing an advanced degree.
  • Have/be majoring in business, communications, marketing, or other related field.
  • Have a strong interest in sustainable design or business.
  • Have a strong desire to learn as the internship evolves.
  • Have good organizational and analytical skills with an emphasis on attention to detail.
  • Have demonstrated strong computer skills including strong graphic design and Excel skills.
  • Possess strong time management, as well as written and oral communication skills.
  • Possess outstanding people skills, including the proven ability to work in a cross functional environment in defined time frames.
  • Be able to work effectively individually and in a team environment.
  • Be willing to work 40 hours a week during the summer months.
  • Be a resident of the United States.

This is a paid internship, with pay level based on candidate experience.  Qualified candidates should email resumes to Robert Hedin at bhedin@hedinenv.com and include when they would be available to begin and end their internship.

Iron Oxide Recovery
195 Castle Shannon Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
(412) 571-2204
www.hedinenv.com


Efficient HVAC Systems Internship (Comfort Supply)

Comfort Supply is a HVAC equipment manufacturers’ representative firm specializing in innovative super efficient systems for both commercial and residential projects.  We call on contractors, architects, engineers, and owners to bring our products to market in Western Pennsylvania.  Our business mix is 50% residential and 50% commercial.  We represent over 25 manufacturers, most who are leaders in technology and efficiency in their respective categories.  Comfort Supply started in 1985, is locally owned, and employs 13 people.

During the summer, the intern will:

  • Assist Comfort Supply sales force in marketing, case studies, and energy modeling high efficient HVAC systems and load calculations. 
  • Work will primarily occur for Mitsubishi Electric HVAC Advanced  Products, www.mrslim.com
  • Report to the Vice President, Dave Heckler.

The ideal candidate should:

  • Have college-level progress towards a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
  • Have a strong desire to learn as the internship evolves.
  • Have good organizational and analytical skills with an emphasis on attention to detail.
  • Demonstrate strong computer skills including strong Excel skills.
  • Possess strong time management, as well as written and oral communication skills.
  • Be able to work effectively individually.
  • Be willing to work 40 hours a week during the summer months.
  • Be a resident of the United States.
  • Previous internship, engineering, or manufacturing experience a plus.

This is a paid internship, with pay level based on candidate experience.  Qualified candidates should email resumes to Dave Heckler at dheckler@comfortsupplypgh.com and include when they would be available to begin and end their internship.

Comfort Supply, Inc.
150 Kisow Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
www.comfortsupplypgh.com