Intern - Sustainability Education

This internship is part-time, temporary from the end of May through August.

Summary:  Assists sustainability education staff with implementation of sustainability education programs. Work projects will primarily focus on topics that include: waste and recycling, clean water, energy efficiency, and climate change. Interns will work with a variety of audiences including K-12 learners, educators, youth ages 16-20, and community partners. The intern will observe and learn about outdoor, experiential, and environmental/sustainability practices through hands-on experiences assisting with material preparation and program delivery for community and sustainability education programs, teacher professional development, youth environmental education workshops, and stewardship action projects. This is a part-time position, averaging up to 28 hours a week from late May through mid-August.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist sustainability education staff with the implementation of programs including: teacher professional development workshops, youth classes, community outreach events, and other youth opportunities. Programs include direct delivery of educational activities to program participants including youth ages 5-24, teachers, and Garden visitors and staff.
• Develop, plan, and implement a final project reflective of internship goals and experience with sustainability education programs. 
• Assist in the preparation of all program materials, tools, and food.
• Actively participates in sustainability education programs, teacher workshops, and Outdoor Youth Corps stewardship projects when needed.
• Work with Garden staff to ensure all health and safety protocols for program participants are followed.
• Work cohesively as a team with other staff, interns, and program participants.
• Demonstrate the highest level of professional and ethical conduct.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  None

Core Competencies

• Communication: Combines listening skills, verbal and written communication skills and visitor relation skills.
• Collaboration: Incorporates teamwork, mutual respect, active engagement, cooperation and visitor focus.
• Accountability: Initiative to take ownership of responsibilities, the ability to prioritize and the working knowledge and skills to take action.
• Problem Solving: Blends problem solving skills, judgement and decision-making skills along with creativity and resourcefulness.
• Stewardship: Merges the practical application of the Garden values and support for a positive organizational climate.        

Qualifications/Experience: 

• Interest in sustainability and the environment. Some college coursework or experience in sustainability or education preferred.
• Basic understanding of sustainability practices and principles preferred.
• Group leadership and problem-solving experience.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Ability to work with diverse audiences including educators, high-school aged students, and elementary-aged children.
• Flexible Hours
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

Education: 

• H.S. diploma or equivalent by start of internship. Some college coursework with an emphasis in Education, Environmental Science, Sustainability or similar field preferred.
• An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.

Other Skills and Abilities: N/A

Language Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral/written).

Mathematical Skills:  

• H.S. basic math aptitude; requires proficient ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals; etc.

Reasoning Ability:

• Requires ability to exercise judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.

Computer Skills:

• Proficient Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., Powerpoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook).
• Comfortable with virtual meeting platforms including TEAMS and Zoom.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• None.

Physical Demands:

• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., climb ladders, etc.).
• Able to lift up to (30) pounds (i.e., load, unload and move supplies and equipment).
• Must be able to work in high heat/humidity and other summer weather conditions.
• Ability to stand and move about entire facility, and/or project sites, for extended periods of time - 80% or more of the workday is standing on feet (e.g., extensive standing, walking, reaching and stooping).

Work Environment:

• Climate controlled buildings.
• Shared office space.
• Work outdoors in temperatures of (100°F or more), humid conditions, as well as temperatures below 0°F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions and some uncomfortable conditions (i.e. wet, mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, etc.) as needed.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden: 

• Garden Employees, Volunteers, Guests
• Community Partners
• Regional educators
• Outdoor Youth Corps Participants and other youth learners

Supervisor (title not person):   

 Climate Change Education Coordinator