Sustainability at Harvard

Apply to be a Yard REP

The Resource Efficiency Program is now accepting applications to be a Freshman REP for the 2009-2010 school year.

We’re looking for outgoing, creative and responsible individuals who are interested in engaging their peers on environmental issues and their personal impact.

To find out more about the qualities we look for, check out our Ideal Candidate.

Applications are to be emailed to repcaptains@gmail.com by Sunday, Sept. 6th at 5pm. 20 minute interviews will be schedule for the following few days. You will receive an email Sunday night notifying you of the available interview times.

Job Description

Resource Efficiency Program Representative (REP Rep) for the Office For Sustainability.

Location

On campus, primarily in the dorms.

Pay

$11 an hour

Hours

Average about 4 hours per week for 11 weeks each semester, including some required meetings and training. Optional (unpaid) field trips, trainings and social activities.

The Position

As a Rep you’ll:

  • engage your peers on issues of conservation and personal environmental responsibility
  • work with administrators to identify conservation projects around the yard
  • work on a larger, campus wide project of your choosing
  • act as a liaison between the students and administrators on issues of sustainability, comfort, health and efficiency
  • develop creative outreach materials (posters, emails, eco boards, etc)

REPs work in the dorms and houses on various campaigns, from energy conservation to lowering food waste to improving recycling. The campaign schedule and materials are usually developed by the REP coordinator and Captains, and each campaign usually lasts about 2 weeks. At the end of two weeks, all the Reps get together to share ideas and feedback, and to receive the assignment for the next two weeks.

How to Apply

Four Easy Steps

  1. Prepare a letter explaining your qualifications and why you want to be a Yard REP. Include the following:
    • Two ideas for projects you’d like to work on to make Harvard more sustainable.
      • Dorm- or yard-based projects are preferred.
      • Example projects might be developing a digital environmental newsletter to be sent out over the dorm list, or a specific infrastructural change or a campaign to get a specific behavioral change in your peers.
    • Experience and leadership roles you will bring to REP.
  2. Attach your Resume. Make sure it includes your contact info.
  3. Save the letter and resume as ONE WORD DOC entitled “(your dorm) REP App (your name)”. Example: “Pfoho REP App Brandon Geller.doc”.
  4. Send the document via email to REPCaptains@gmail.com with the subject “(your dorm) Rep App (your name)”.

Interviews

The REP coordinator and the Captains will read the applications and interview all candidates who meet our requirements and apply before the deadline.

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact us.

The Ideal Candidate

Personal Qualities

  • Interested in environmental issues and personal impact.
  • Flexible, good natured and easy to work with.
  • Reliable and good at time management.
  • Proactive and independent.
  • Creative (campaign ideas, poster ideas, fun emails, etc).
  • Interested in being a part of Dorm Community
  • Not afraid to be a dorm personality or be visible.

Availability

  • Prioritize participation in REP events, including regularly scheduled meetings as well as campaign activities.
  • Responds to emails in a timely matter.
  • Able to commit extra time during the weeks of big events, such as Sustainability Week in October and Earth Day in April.
  • Not overcommitted with other extracurriculars.