Outdoor Equity & Environmental Education Intern

City of Aurora•Aurora, CO

About The Position

This internship is a wonderful opportunity for college students passionate about nature who want to make the outdoors a more welcoming place for everyone. As a vital part of the Generation Wild team, you will support the City of Aurora’s mission to expand equitable access to nature for youth and families, especially those from historically underserved communities. You will spend your summer gaining hands-on experience by planning and leading inclusive, community-centered programs that help people build a lifelong bond with the natural world. By helping to break down barriers to outdoor spaces, you will play a big role in fostering the next generation of environmental stewards. We provide a supportive and caring environment where you can grow your skills in environmental justice, urban green spaces, and youth development. This role is a perfect fit for students who love the environment and want to champion social equity through meaningful public engagement. If you are looking for a summer adventure where you can truly give back and help create culturally responsive learning environments, we would love for you to join us as an Outdoor Equity and Environmental Education Intern. The deadline for submitting applications is May 1, 2026. Please note that the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing application screenings on a first-come, first-served basis. As soon as we determine that we have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice. The hiring rate for this role is $17.50/hour. This is a temporary internship position expected to start May 25, 2026, and end August 9, 2026, and is classified as a Variable Hour Non-Benefit Eligible (VHNE) position. This position does not receive medical benefits and is expected to work 15 hours per week, Tuesday- Friday. This position is eligible for academic credit(s) and will work with the candidate to complete necessary paperwork. Position overview The Generation Wild Outdoor Equity and Environmental Intern supports the Generation Wild program by assisting with the planning and delivery of inclusive, community-centered outdoor and environmental education programs. This role helps expand access to nature for underserved youth and families while gaining hands-on experience in outdoor equity, natural resources, and public engagement. The intern contributes to fostering meaningful connections between youth and the outdoors, supporting the development of lifelong environmental stewards.

Requirements

High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent
Must be currently enrolled in college-level coursework at an accredited college or university
Basic understanding of environmental stewardship, ecology, or conservation principles
General awareness of safety practices in group or outdoor settings
Familiarity with the importance of inclusion, accessibility, and cultural responsiveness in community programming
Basic understanding of environmental stewardship and respect for natural spaces
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Organizational skills and attention to detail
Basic computer proficiency (word processing, spreadsheets, and data entry)
Ability to follow directions and complete assigned tasks in a timely manner
Basic problem-solving skills and willingness to ask questions when guidance is needed
Attention to detail when assisting with documentation and program materials
Ability to create a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment for all participants
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
Ability to engage respectfully with youth and families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds
Ability to adapt to changing situations and support problem-solving with guidance from supervising staff
Ability to follow established procedures related to safety, documentation, and participant care
First Aid and CPR certification (Generation Wild will cover this training if not already obtained by candidate)

Nice To Haves

Experience in youth education, natural resources, or conservation is preferred
Spanish language proficiency preferred

Responsibilities

Assist with the planning and facilitation of outdoor education and recreation programs for youth and families
Support programming that helps remove barriers and increases equitable access to outdoor spaces
Create inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive outdoor learning environments
Assist with preparation and cleanup of program materials and activity areas
Maintain accurate program numbers and assist with required documentation like waivers
Develop unique and creative programming opportunities for diverse communities
Supervise participants with safety as the first priority and ensure each participant is always accounted for
Engage students in hands-on environmental learning activities
Support communication with participants, community partners, and naturalist team as directed
Attend staff training and meetings
Maintain awareness of participant medical needs and communicate concerns to supervising staff
Assist with accommodations to ensure all participants can fully engage in programming
Perform other related duties as assigned

Benefits

Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
Diverse community
Competitive total compensation package
Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
Light rail station minutes away
On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs
Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
Access to innovation workspaces
Rewarding public sector work impacting a large and diverse community
Growing city and employee population
Competitive total compensation package
Rich benefits package with low employee costs
Generous paid leave program
100% funded Employee and Family Care Leave Program
Retirement pension plan and 457b plans available
Subsidized recreation center pass, on-site fitness centers and wellness programs
Continued education and career advancement opportunities