Natural Building Intern

~ Community Rebuilds (CR) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation whose mission is to build energy efficient housing, provide education on sustainability, and improve the housing conditions of the workforce through an affordable program. ~

Community Rebuilds constructs affordable and energy efficient straw bale homes, working with the homeowner and training a dedicated group of volunteer interns on each home project. These interns are young emerging professionals with the desire to participate in an experiential program as they learn how to build low carbon, modern natural buildings.

Program Overview & Structure

CR is currently recruiting for the Fall term in Bluff, UT (July 15th - December 20th), inviting up to twelve student interns to build a straw bale home from foundation to finish under the direction of a licensed contractor and natural building experts.

Interns will contribute to the foundation, frame walls, install bales, apply a variety of natural plasters, pour adobe floors, learn about electrical, plumbing, solar photovoltaics and permaculture, and take part in many other activities necessary to the completion of a home. 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, and field trips.

Our program is very team-oriented. 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 we are located in wonderful, unique community, interns have many opportunities to make new friends, perhaps volunteer with other awesome organizations, and invest a little piece of themselves into the Bluff community . 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.

Expectations & Qualifications

• Interns must be at least 18 years of age.
• Interns must commit to the full semester.
• Interns must have personal health insurance or a financial plan for medical costs as CR is not liable.
• Interns are required to work 40 hours a week onsite.
• Interns are responsible for getting themselves to and from the work site.
• There are some bikes available at the Moab campus.
• Interns are expected to supply a number of tools for their personal use onsite. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: tape measure, speed square, utility knife and hammer.
• Interns must be able to lift at least 30 pounds, work outdoors in variable weather, maintain a good attitude and be willing to get dirty!
• Interns must reside in the housing provided by Community Rebuilds while participating in a CR program. Exceptions can be made on rare occasions.

Fees & 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, 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 interns contains the following amenities: internet, furniture, a washing machine and cookware.