Building Intern

~ At Community Rebuilds (CR) we aid income-qualifying families in building affordable and Energy Efficient Straw Bale Homes. ~

We are a nonprofit that provides assistance during all stages of the build. Before breaking ground we act as a free consultant for interested families, by connecting them with low interest rate loans and supplying stamped architectural plans free of cost. During the build we manage the build process and budget, and we provide a labor force of unpaid volunteer interns. After construction is complete we provide our families free consultation in home maintenance and repair.

We've created an Affordable Housing Program by taking several steps to reduce the cost of construction: we connect families with low interest rate loans; we recruit volunteer student interns to complete the bulk of the construction labor; we stick to a simple architectural plan for each build, thereby limiting architectural and engineering costs; and we use as many recycled and donated building materials as possible. 

Internship Overview

Community Rebuilds(CR) offers internship semesters in two communities: Moab, UT, and Gunnison County, CO. Each semester invites up to 16 student interns per project, under the direction of a licensed contractor and natural building experts, to build a straw bale home from foundation to finish. 

Semesters are subject to some variability, as the schedule of any build is dependent on many factors, such as weather and unforeseeable build challenges. However, we assure that you will be an integral part of the current build and will gain an unparalleled amount of natural and conventional construction experience. Additionally, though our internship program primarily consists of onsite, hands-on learning, the experience is occasionally supplemented with workshops, conferences, and field trips. There are no graded assignments, tests, or readings.

Our program is very team-oriented. Student interns work together onsite and live together in a home provided by CR.  They often get to know our selected homeowners quite well as they work with them side by side in the creation of their home.

Similarly, because our CR chapters are located in wonderful, unique communities, student interns have many opportunities to make new friends, perhaps volunteer with other awesome organizations, and invest a little piece of themselves into our CR communities. These partnerships are important to our organization which is based on the understanding that we are all neighbors ready to support each other and make our community better.   

Responsibilities  

• Student interns will contribute to the foundation, frame walls, install bales;
• Apply a variety of natural plasters;
• Pour adobe floors;
• Learn about electrical, plumbing, solarphotovoltaics and permaculture: and 
• Take part in many other activities necessary to the completion of a home.   

Moab Dates

• Spring Semester - February 1st to June 30th 
• Fall Semester - July 15th to December 15th 

Gunnison/Crested Butte Dates

• Weather dependent - Mid May to Mid November 

Compensation 

• Community Rebuilds is unique among natural building organizations in that we offer internship programs free of cost to student interns who complete the semester in full.
• In addition, as compensation for their time commitment, student interns receive a food stipend of $100 per month, (bulk food items will also be provided as available) and free communal lodging.
• The housing provided for student interns contains the following amenities: internet, furniture, a washing machine and cookware.  

Earn College Credit 

Community Rebuilds offers our student interns undergraduate or graduate credit through a partnership with Utah State University. Credits are awarded through the Department of Environment and Society. However, if you wish to obtain credit at a school in which you are already enrolled, we are happy to work with you toward this goal. 

To Apply 

Please use the email address below to send your resume and a cover letter.