Outdoor Equity & Environmental Education Intern

City of Aurora • Aurora, CO

16h • Onsite

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.

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

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

• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs
• Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces
• First Aid and CPR certification (Generation Wild will cover this training if not already obtained by candidate)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees