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Sustainability Intern – Energy Efficiency & Carbon Reduction

Cascade Corporation
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This position requires to be fully on-site, Monday through Friday.

 

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Cascade Corporation, founded in 1943, evolved from a modest machine shop to the global leader in the manufacturing of attachments, forks, masts, and related technologies for forklifts and AGVs. We also manufacture a variety of high-quality attachments for the construction industry. 

With global headquarters in Portland, Oregon, and over 80 years of expertise, Cascade has developed a significant international presence, employing more than 3,000 people in more than 30 countries. This global reach gives Cascade teams the unique ability to collaborate across continents to meet customer needs anytime, anywhere while providing local service and support.

 

JOB SUMMARY

The Sustainability Intern supports Cascade’s carbon reduction strategy by designing and implementing an energy efficiency monitoring and analysis program focused on production equipment, with an emphasis on data-driven decision-making, compressed air reduction, and scalable deployment across all U.S. manufacturing sites.  The position reports directly to the Sustainability Manager and will collaborate closely with various internal and external stakeholders. 

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Energy Monitoring Program Design and Deployment

  • Conduct a technical and commercial review of data logger and energy monitoring technologies suitable for tracking machine-level electricity use in industrial settings.
  • Recommend a standardized system for use across all Cascade’s North American manufacturing sites, considering cost effectiveness, compatibility of current systems, and scalability.
  • Develop site-specific protocols for identifying priority equipment to monitor.
  • Draft multi-year monitoring implementation plans by site based on machine layout and number of monitoring points, including cost estimate, equipment needs, installation strategy and training plans.

Compressed Air Reduction Strategy

  • Conduct compressed air audit to map usage across various types of equipment types.
  • Quantify the energy impact (electricity usage) of compressed air systems and identify/recommend non-pneumatic alternatives, considering cost, reliability, and energy impact.
  • Create a roadmap for compressed air reduction/elimination, prioritizing high financial impact opportunities.

Machine Energy Consumption Profiling

  • Collect detailed, component-level energy data on specific machines (e.g. motors, heating/cooling systems, compressed air and auxiliary components.
  • Work with the engineering and operations teams to integrate energy data with production metrics (e.g. cycle time, uptime, throughput) to identify inefficiencies, idle energy usage, and opportunities for optimization.

Site Engagement and Travel

  • Conduct on-site audits and stakeholder interviews at various North American manufacturing facilities, starting at Portland OR.
  • Collaborate with site engineers, maintenance teams, and sustainability leads to validate findings, support implementation, and ensure knowledge transfer.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Currently pursuing, or recently graduated with, a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science or Engineering (mechanical, industrial, electrical, or related).
  • Familiarity with industrial equipment, compressed air systems, and energy efficiency technologies. 
  • Strong analytical and technical research skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Proven ability to collaborate and build relationships across cross-functional teams.
  • Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and manage tasks with minimal supervision. 
  • Willing and able to travel domestically within the U.S. and internationally to Canada without visa requirements.
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

 

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

Cascade is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This description describes only the general nature and level of work encompassed by this job, and is not a comprehensive listing of all responsibilities, duties, and skills of employees at this level. 

Cascade Corporation is committed to providing a safe work environment. We take this responsibility very seriously. It is important to provide a work environment where employees are free from the effects of drugs, alcohol or other impairing substances.  Please be advised that except as prohibited by law, all applicants that have been offered a position with our Company must pass a drug test as part of their employment offer.  Applicants who refuse to consent to a drug test, fail to comply with all testing procedures, or who test positive for drugs will not be hired.