Job Opportunities
VAI Facilities Internship
January 01, 2025
The Facilities Department’s mission is to create and maintain a “Best in Class” facility that exceeds staff and guests’ experiences. The Facilities Department is also committed to maintaining LEED-certified standards and practicing employee-based green initiatives throughout the institute. The department provides a clean, comfortable, functional, and safe working environment for employees to achieve their goals of the institute.
In supporting this department and this goal, the person in this role will perform a variety of tasks that are related to operational activities, while also helping with special projects and assignments. They will be responsible for providing office support and assisting the internal staff.
What you will be doing on a regular basis:
Provide operational support to the Facilities Department by:
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Support projects and activities across all divisions of the department (Maintenance, Housekeeping, Security, Environmental Health and Safety, and the Café).
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Develop sustainability initiatives through leading our Green Team.
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Conduct monthly Green Team meetings and coordinate activities and projects around sustainability
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Edit equipment data in our computerized maintenance management system and update equipment and preventative maintenance records.
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Work with other Research Institutes and Education-based Facilities to identify best practice green initiatives.
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Organize and update the chemical inventory through database management and departmental coordination.
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Author standard operating procedures for various projects throughout the department.
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Provide administrative computer support for the Facilities/Maintenance staff.
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Develop standard notification process for environmental incidents.
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Update emergency procedures to ensure regulatory compliance.
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Provide project management support.
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Participate in job shadowing across the department.
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Fulfill other tasks assigned by supervisor.
What will qualify you for this role?
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Preference will be given to students in a full-time Facilities Management, Sustainability Management or Environmental Science program at an accredited college or university, but the internship is open to all majors.
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Have completed two to four years of college (equivalent to 48 or more credit hours).
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Must be able to work independently with minimal or no direct supervision.
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Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive).
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Proficiency with Canva, CAFM, and Adobe Creative Cloud preferred.
You should also be a person with the following traits and characteristics:
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Strong written communication skills: editing and writing skills preferred.
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Strong verbal communication skills.
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Proficient in using standard office equipment.
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Highly organized.
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High level of professionalism and interpersonal skills.
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Team oriented.
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Willing to be trained and to learn new skills.
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Providing administrative computer support to the Facilities staff.
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Data mining for sustainability projects.
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Provide organizational support on projects.
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Provide Project Management support.
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Job shadowing.
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Fulfilling other tasks assigned by supervisor.
What we offer:
VAI defines a Student Intern as a student employee continuing their undergraduate or graduate studies while gaining experience at VAI. This is a paid internship and those student interns who wish to earn academic credit for their internship experience may also participate in the Guest Student Program administered through the Van Andel Institute Graduate School (VAIGS)
In addition, the Facilities Student Intern will be offered parking in the Michigan Street Development parking structure, contingent upon availability, for a one-time parking pass fee of $15.
The start date of the internship is flexible beginning January 2025 or after.
Does this sound like you? Let’s begin the conversation!
Qualified candidates should submit a resume, a brief cover letter describing their interests and goals, into a single combined PDF document. Please also provide at least two references.
In your cover letter, please outline your experience or education to date, your future goals, and how these factors fit within the position description.
Candidates selected for interviews will be asked to provide official university transcripts.
Interested students should apply by visiting https://vai.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/VAICareers/details/Facilities-Intern_R1237
If you have any difficulty uploading your application or any questions, please email Natalie Hartford at [email protected].