Energy Intern (Summer 2026)

The Mountain Association is a community economic development non-profit that invests in people and places in Eastern Kentucky to advance a just transition to a new economy that is more diverse, sustainable, equitable and resilient. For nearly 50 years, we have supported the success of small businesses and organizations in Eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia. Our Energy Team works with small businesses, non-profits, and local governments in Eastern Kentucky to help them lower their energy bills through renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades. Since 2015, we have supported nearly 300 energy upgrade projects.

Mountain Association seeks a summer student intern to work with our Energy Team by providing support to our ongoing energy projects in Eastern Kentucky. 

The intern will have the opportunity to work with Mountain Association’s new project exploring opportunities with Electric Vehicles (EV) and charging stations. This project may include developing research projects, working on on-site assessments, exploring what is currently happening in our region and more! For the right candidate, this could also include marketing and social media content creation alongside our marketing team.

Other opportunities may include working alongside staff to support various clients on energy audits, including lighting upgrades, thermostat installations, and general note-taking on client sites.

The Energy Team consists of five full-time staff members who seek to provide our clients with unbiased information about the energy upgrades that would most benefit them. An internship with the team will provide a student with:

• Learning more about the new EV market, including both challenges and opportunities
• A better understanding of solar and back up storage, and how to know if it's a good fit for a client.
• The opportunity to work alongside energy experts in the field, gaining hands-on experience in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
• An understanding of energy usage and costs as they affect businesses and non-profits in rural Kentucky.
• An opportunity to learn about and communicate energy efficiency and renewable energy best practices for small commercial buildings.
• An understanding of Eastern Kentucky’s electric utility landscape and its challenges.
• The evolving potential for financing energy projects in Appalachian Kentucky.

Responsibilities will include:

• EV (electric vehicle) market and technology research.
• Alongside our energy specialists, participating in on-site energy audits for clients, gathering information on lighting, HVAC, insulation, and other energy-saving opportunities.
• Analyzing client utility bills.
• Supporting the writing of energy assessment reports for clients.
• Special Projects around energy research.

Student must have working knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. A basic understanding of energy principles is preferred. Attention to detail and timeliness are critical to this position. Student must be willing to travel within Eastern Kentucky during normal business hours (personal vehicle is not required). Majors in sustainability, economics, science, engineering, business or a related discipline are preferred.