Individual Placement - Urban Forestry & Community Engagement

Student Conservation Association•Houston, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Urban ForUsTree Youth Programs Internship will support a six-month pilot focused on urban forestry, environmental education, youth leadership, community engagement, and career exposure across the Houston area. The intern will coordinate and help facilitate school-based workshops, recruit and support a small after-school and weekend Youth Fellows cohort with a local school district, and organize field experiences, stewardship activities, student-led environmental projects, and community tree giveaway events. Major duties will include program and event coordination, preparation of hands-on learning materials, communication with school and community partners, support for tree distribution and public events, career exploration activities, and tracking participation and program outcomes. Participants will engage in learning related to urban forestry, climate resilience, native plants and habitat, conservation, and environmental careers while gaining hands-on experience through field-based activities and community projects. The primary goals of the position are to expand access to urban forestry education and community stewardship, deepen youth engagement through recurring programming, and help SCA test and strengthen a repeatable model that connects young people to future paid conservation and workforce opportunities.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age and legally eligible to serve or work in the United States.
Must be local to the Houston, Texas area for the duration of the position and have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to travel to schools, community sites, events, and field locations throughout the Houston area.
Must successfully complete all required SCA and school district background checks and youth-safety screenings.
Must demonstrate an interest in environmental education, urban forestry, conservation, youth development, community engagement, or a related field, with the ability to work effectively with high school-aged youth and diverse community members.
Strong communication, organization, interpersonal, and time-management skills are required, along with the ability to facilitate small-group activities, workshops, and hands-on learning experiences.
Must be available for occasional after-school, evening, and weekend programs and events and comfortable working outdoors in varying Houston-area weather conditions.
Must be able to safely lift, carry, and transport program supplies, tools, plants, trees, PPE, and event materials as needed.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working with high school-aged youth through youth development programs, camps, after-school programs, environmental education, or similar settings.
Coursework, training, or experience in environmental science, forestry, natural resources, conservation, sustainability, education, community engagement, or a related field.
Experience facilitating workshops, presentations, group activities, or hands-on learning experiences.
Familiarity with urban forestry, native plants, pollinator habitats, tree care, or community-based conservation.
Experience supporting community events, volunteer activities, outreach initiatives, or other public-facing programs.
Strong event planning, project coordination, organizational, and time-management skills.
Experience collaborating with schools, school districts, community-based organizations, nonprofit partners, or other community stakeholders.
Spanish-language proficiency or other language skills that support meaningful engagement with Houston-area communities.
First Aid/CPR certification, or willingness to obtain certification.
Comfortable using basic digital tools for scheduling, communication, data tracking, presentations, and program documentation.
Demonstrated interest in environmental careers, workforce development, youth leadership, and creating pathways for young people to pursue conservation and environmental career opportunities.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and co-facilitate hands-on workshops for high school students focused on urban forestry, conservation, climate resilience, native habitats, and environmental career pathways.
Recruit, engage, and support a small after-school and weekend Urban ForUsTree Youth Fellows cohort in partnership with a local school district.
Plan and coordinate Youth Fellows activities, field experiences, stewardship projects, career exploration opportunities, and community-based programming.
Support students in designing and implementing urban forestry, native pollinator habitat, community greening, and other environmental stewardship projects.
Coordinate and support native fruit tree giveaway events, tree-planting activities, and other community-based ForUsTree programs throughout the Houston area.
Assist with event planning, partner coordination, community outreach, site logistics, materials preparation, tree distribution, volunteer engagement, and day-of event implementation.
Coordinate and co-facilitate environmental education workshops with schools, school districts, community organizations, and other community-based partners.
Prepare and organize workshop materials, PPE, field equipment, native plants, seeds, trees, and other supplies needed for educational activities and community events.
Coordinate program logistics with SCA staff, school district partners, community organizations, environmental professionals, volunteers, students, and participating families.
Coordinate guest speakers, site visits, and career-exploration opportunities related to forestry, conservation, natural resources, and environmental careers.
Maintain accurate participation records, collect feedback and evaluation data, and document workshops, student activities, community events, and program outcomes.
Contribute to the development and refinement of workshop materials, activity plans, event procedures, and program resources to support the replication and expansion of SCA’s youth and community urban forestry programs.