June 2017
The Estuary Partnership internship program helps college students and recent graduates meet education objectives in their degree programs, bring new perspectives to our work, and gain hands-on knowledge and skills to advance their career goals. Interns work in a variety of locations throughout the lower 146 miles of the Columbia River to help deliver the Estuary Partnership’s summer on-water community education program. We place a priority on applications from students who come from or have experience with diverse populations and underserved communities, including communities of color and communities of limited income.
Education Objectives
- Gain hands-on experience in environmental education and delivering programs to youth and community members in outdoor and on-water settings.
- Gain knowledge and experience in on-water safety and canoe paddling.
- Gain experience researching and developing science curricula for K – 6 students.
- Gain knowledge about the local lower Columbia River system, including native plants, watershed ecology, natural history, sustainable develop, wildlife, and water quality.
Description of Work
- Deliver Summer On-Water Community Education Program. The Education Intern will assist with the delivery of our summer on-water community education program to help youth and adults access the outdoors and learn about local ecology. The program focuses on serving diverse populations, including underserved communities, communities of color, and communities of limited income. The Education Intern will help lead on-water canoe trips with a focus on plants, watershed ecology, natural history, sustainable development, wildlife, and water quality. Trips also include “Paddle and Pull” events that involve both an on-water paddle and a habitat restoration project at a local natural area.
- Partnership Development and Needs Assessment. The Education Intern will help identify potential partners serving communities of color and assess needs and barriers to accessing local natural areas and outdoor education opportunities.
- Develop Classroom and Field Programs. The Education Intern will help refine or develop school year science-based classroom and field programs for elementary and middle school students, with a focus on creating culturally relevant and responsive curricula.
- Water Safety Training. The Education Intern will participate in a one-day training on canoe safety and water rescue through Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe provided by the Estuary Partnership, free of charge.
Duration and Time Commitment: The internship will start June 20, 2017 and conclude by August 24, 2017, not to exceed 210 hours of work, including training. The average workweek is 21 hours per week and a typical work schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, approximately 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. with occasional evening and weekends.
Compensation: $3,000 stipend
Supervisor: Jennie Klein, Education Manager
Helpful Skills and Experience
- Experience or course work in education, natural resource or watershed management, water quality, land use, marine sciences, biology, habitat conservation, or related field required.
- Comfortable working with groups of people in a leadership role.
- Comfortable working as part of a team.
- Comfortable working outdoors and in inclement weather.
- Experience working with diverse populations and underserved communities preferred.
- Fluency in Spanish desired.
Required Education
- Be a college student and have completed at least two years of college or a recent graduate.
- Have completed coursework in education or a science-related discipline, such as natural resource or watershed management, water quality, land use, marine sciences, biology, or habitat conservation.
Persons of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBT people are encouraged to apply. The Estuary Partnership values differences and a racially diverse and culturally inclusive organization.
The Estuary Partnership is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin, age, disability, physical appearance or genetic information, cultural, socio-economic status, military or veteran status. The Estuary Partnership is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and values the hiring of protected veterans or individuals with veteran status.
To Apply
Please visit http://www.estuarypartnership.org/summer-environmental-education-intern-application-form to fill out the on-line application form and submit a single PDF file that contains a cover letter, resume, application questions, and a letter of recommendation from at least one professor or instructor (current students) or two professional references (graduates).
The cover letter should describe your qualifications, your experience working with diverse populations and underserved communities, and why you want this internship.
Application Deadline: On-line applications are due by 4:00 p.m. Monday, May 1, 2017
Questions: Jennie Klein, Education Manager, (503) 226-1565 ext. 222 or jklein@estuarypartnership.org