Production Technician Intern (Happy Mushroom Co., Pack Intern, Spring '27)
**This internship is hosted by Happy Mushroom Co. LLC and sponsored by the Nevada Career Studio (NCS).
Students are highly encouraged to complete a 15 minute drop-in or schedule an in-person or virtual 30-minute appointment with a Career Mentor BEFORE submitting an application. Resumes and cover letters that do not meet NCS best practices will not be included in applicant packages to employers.
After the application period closes in Handshake, the NCS Internships Team reviews the applicants and sends eligible students' applicant packages to employers for them to reach out to conduct interviews and make the final intern selection. Employers will contact students directly if they are interested in moving forward with them as a candidate.
About Happy Mushroom Co. LLC:
Happy Mushroom Co. (HMC) is a functional mushroom supplement company founded in Reno, Nevada in 2020. Rooted in the founders’ years foraging on the Oregon Coast, we make mushroom tinctures and extract powders, Happy Dog Mushroom Powder (a canine supplement), and The Ritual, a mushroom coffee blend, sold online and through natural grocery, pet specialty, and wellness retailers.
Quality and sustainability guide everything we do. We use only 100% certified organic mushroom fruiting bodies, extract in-house with ultrasonic and freeze-dry technology, third-party test every batch, and label transparently. We also prioritize sustainable packaging and are a proud member of 1% for the Planet.
Internship Description:
The Production Tech Intern will support day-to-day production of Happy Mushroom Co.’s functional mushroom supplements, including tinctures, extract powders, Happy Dog Mushroom Powder, and The Ritual mushroom coffee blend. Working directly with the production manager and COO, the intern will operate extraction and freeze-drying equipment, follow established standard operating procedures (SOPs), and help produce consistent, high-quality batches. Beyond production, the intern will be exposed to quality control and third-party testing, inventory management, order fulfillment for online and wholesale customers, and how a small, founder-led consumer brand operates day to day.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Complete 150 hours of work as an intern (8-15 hours per week, 15 weeks total)
- Operate ultrasonic extraction and freeze-drying equipment
- Follow SOPs for extraction, processing, bottling, and labeling
- Maintain batch records and support lot traceability
- Clean and sanitize equipment and workspace to food-safety standards
- Pack and ship online and wholesale orders
- Assist with inventory tracking and supply restocking
Goals and Expectations of the Intern:
By the end of the internship, the intern is expected to independently run production tasks following standard operating procedures (SOPs), keep accurate batch records, and understand how extraction methods and third-party testing ensure product quality. The intern should show reliability, attention to detail, and consistent adherence to food-safety standards, and leave with a working understanding of small-scale manufacturing from raw material to customer.
Required Qualifications:
- Must be a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno during the Spring '27 semester
- Student must be enrolled in a program of study (major, minor, or graduate program) in the following colleges:
- Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources (CABNR)
- Business
- Engineering
- Science
- Public Health/Orvis
- Reliable, punctual, and detail-oriented
- Able to follow written procedures precisely
- Comfortable with hands-on, physical work, including standing for extended periods and lifting up to 25 lbs
- Strong communication skills and willingness to ask questions
- Basic computer skills for record-keeping
Preferred Qualifications:
- Pursuing a degree in chemistry, biology, food science, engineering, or a related field
- Lab or kitchen experience, including safe handling of equipment and ethanol-based solutions
- Food handler card or familiarity with food-safety practices
- Interest in natural products, mushrooms, or entrepreneurship
Desired Schedule for Intern:
The intern will work 8-15 hours per week in-person. Internship hours are flexible around classes with a preference to weekday mornings.
Pack STEM internships require interns to complete 150 hours during their internship. It is the intern’s responsibility to ensure this requirement is met.