KINGSTON, N.Y. – Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger is calling all qualified climate enthusiasts to apply for the 2025 Climate Corps internship.

Applications are now open for a 10-week, paid summer internship in county government. According to Metzger's administration, the program provides students with both hands-on experience and professional development opportunities through climate change projects and outreach initiatives.

Misha Kuznetsov works as a full-time environmental resource technician for Ulster County, and credits his internship experience for his success today.

“During my internship, I participated in a solar carport project," Kuznetsox said. "My coworker and I, we proposed solar carport locations throughout the county.”

Whether you're interested in pursuing a career in local government, passionate about sustainable living or would like to learn more about renewable energy, Kuznetsov said he encourages climate enthusiasts to consider joining the program. 

“I also worked on a project (that helped) emergency services," Kuznetsov said. "I was updating certain homes that were kind of far from major roads, just to make sure that emergency services were able to get to everyone within the county.”

While public safety and renewable energy resources are top priorities for Ulster County officials, previous interns like Naseem Haidaoui said the Climate Corps internship is rewarding.

“I started the Climate Corps internship in summer of 2023 and stayed on after my project ended to assist with more climate initiatives," Haidaoui said. "I pretty much spent half of my college career working out of the county executive's office, assisting with projects... After I graduated, just this January, I just started my master's degree in public administration and policy with UAlbany's Rockefeller College for Public Affairs."

Haidaoui also said internships like these help students gain exposure to a host of careers they wouldn't normally have access to. 

"Before the program, I hadn't had a whole lot of experience, and I had thought that this would be a great way just to get introduced to policy in general," Haidaoui said. "After the program, I really got to understand more about where I wanted to go with my career, and understood that environment is really where I would like to be."

The 2025 Climate Corps internship will run from June 9 to Aug. 15. Applications are open and are being reviewed on an ongoing basis. For more information regarding eligibility requirements, or if you'd like to submit an application, please visit this link.