Individual Placement - Environmental Education & Interpretation Participant

Student Conservation Association

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The individual in this position will serve for 12 weeks as an Environmental Education and Interpretation intern at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (NP) and Curecanti National Recreation Area (NRA). The intern will work with the Interpretation and Education Division assisting with a variety of visitor services. The intern will assist with interpretive and educational programming, provide visitor services at park visitor centers, assist with outreach and special events and provide accurate information to visitors while roving on park trails. The parks are co-managed and the duty station for the internship is at Curecanti NRA near Gunnison, CO. The individual in this position will report to the Education Specialist and work collaboratively with the interpretation team. The overall goal is to increase visitor engagement with Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP and Curecanti NRA.

Requirements

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to work independently or with a team
A genuine desire to work with children, and some prior experience
Experience leading/facilitating youth through structured activities
Able to engage and manage groups of youth and/or adults for 2+ hours
Passion for the environment and working outdoors
Ability to hike and conduct field operations as part of a team and/or independently in an outdoor setting
Ability to take orders and follow directions, ability to work collaboratively and supportively in a group environment
Bachelor’s degree in a related field (environmental or outdoor education, interpretation, geography, ecology, etc.) and/or some work experience that is relevant to the position (park ranger, naturalist, environmental educator), preferably for a land management agency
A general understanding and knowledge of a broad range of subjects, including geology, biology, ecology, anthropology, and American history. A high technical competence in each field is not assumed, but a general familiarity with, and keen interest in, each field is required
Computer literate, MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint, and the Internet
Ability to learn NPS policy and procedures
Driver’s license required
Personal vehicle required for off-duty time

Nice To Haves

Degree in environmental education and interpretation
Experience working with youth in an outdoor setting
Artistic skills in graphic design or other visual arts
Desire to pursue a career with the National Park Service and/or other land management agency

Responsibilities

Assist with curriculum-based environmental education programming primarily for students in grades 2-7
Assist with interpretive programming for youth in the parks and off-site
Present interpretive programs such as star talks with a laser pointer and/or evening ranger programs at the campground
Rove park trails to perform informal interpretation of park resources in the field
Assist with educational and interpretive projects such as developing field trips, interpretive programs, and materials
Provide quality visitor services by staffing park visitor centers
Perform collateral duties in alignment with the intern’s personal/professional interests
Assist with collateral duties such as creating media products, assisting with social media, collecting dark sky data, performing minor labor or custodial work, assisting with search and rescue activities as requested or needed, and completing administrative tasks.