Composting Fellowship (Rockville, MD)

Overview

Grow Your Career at Compost Crew

Join us at Compost Crew, a locally owned fast-growing organics recycling company based in Rockville, MD. We are rescuing over 30 million pounds of unwanted food scraps from the landfill per year, helping to retain valuable nutrients by converting the food scraps into a rich soil amendment – compost. Compost Crew is the largest organic recycling company in our region, serving over 20,000 homes, businesses, communities and governments throughout Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. We’re innovative leaders in the elimination of food waste, revitalization of our soil and sustainability. At Compost Crew, you’ll enjoy a friendly work environment where you’ll be treated with appreciation and respect. You’ll make a real difference in the well-being of our community and environment.

We are hiring a Compost Fellow for 2025 to perform supervised research and assist in composting operations our on-farm Compost Outposts, located at One Acre Farm in Dickerson, MD. This Fellowship will offer an in-depth and hands-on experience to learn about composting operations for on-farm systems trained by a MDA Certified Compost Facility Operator. In addition, the Fellow will have exposure to a variety of compost industry seminars, learning opportunities, academic materials, commercial compost facility tours, and networking opportunities by experts in the field to receive a well-rounded experience. This is a six month position with flexible hours to best fit your schedule. The position requires availability for four on-site hours of work each week in Dickerson, MD. Target start date is Feb. 3, 2025.

Responsibilities

Assist in weekly composting operations at our Compost Outpost(s):

• Set-up and breakdown facility

• Record composting operation metrics including, but not limited to; feedstock received, pile temperatures, Carbon to Nitrogen ratios, bay(s) used, moisture, working hours, and any additional notes

• Assist in any decontamination and sorting procedures as required in the Composting Facility Operating Plan (CFOP)

• Assist in adding pile moisture and dust suppression techniques

• Assist in feedstock mixing, pile placement, and pile turning

Weekly composting education, research, and industry update activities offered on a voluntary basis:

• Develop and support ongoing and upcoming research projects and innovations
• Attend virtual weekly meetings with the Composting Division to discuss ongoing projects
• Attend virtual lectures, seminars, and/or meetings that provide composting industry updates to present to the composting team at Compost Crew
• Attend optional study sessions if interested in becoming a Maryland-Certified Compost Facility Operator

Key Requirements

• Proficient in English (both reading and writing)

• Interested in receiving experience in an environmental field, to include composting, farming, environmental education, and sales opportunities

• Effective listening skills

• Clear communication and organizational skills

• Ability to work individually and with a team effectively

• Must be a self-starter, capable of taking on multiple tasks with minimal supervision

• Proficient in Microsoft Office products, Google applications, spreadsheets, and other tools

• Attention to detail

• Flexibility to adapt to a fast-changing work environment

• Experience operating a skid steer and driving a pickup truck with a trailer is a plus

• Be a team player, willing to share and learn from other members of the team, and to learn from your peers’ best practices

• Enthusiasm for the mission of protecting the planet and reducing waste

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program

This is a non-management position
This is an internship position

Salary : $17