DESCRIPTION

This Estuarium internship program provides college students and recent graduates with environmental education and animal husbandry experience, as well as experience with working at a small non-profit organization. While the majority of the internship will be spent assisting the Education Coordinator by provide hands-on field trips to K-12 school groups, leading beach investigations, and delivering marine programs for the community; this position will require staffing the information desk, helping in facilities maintenance, and assisting with administrative projects.

Field Trips

• Classroom Robotics at Budd Bay (March)

• On the Water (May)

• Estuary Life and Landforms (Oct)

• Capitol Land Trust (Spring/Fall)

• Meet the Beach (Spring/Summer/Fall)

• Estuarium Visits (All year)

Education Events

• Spring Tide Camp

• Estuary Explorers Summer Camps

• After-school STEM Programs

• Tiny Tides Storytime

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend all Education Team meetings and trainings.

• Lead a variety of environmental education programs for the public, including but not limited to, hands-on dissections, low tide investigations, plankton tows, and short lectures on such topics as marine biodiversity, water quality and estuaries; For a description of each program that we offer, please visit http://www.pugetsoundestuarium.org/education;

• Create, document, and organize lesson plans, assessments, and evaluations in a professional manner by shadowing and learning from the current Estuarium staff, and by independent research.

• Assist with animal husbandry and the care and maintenance of animal enclosures and exhibits, and classroom space;

• Assist with other duties as necessary, including working at the information desk, facilities maintenance, and the Estuarium Office;

• Foster learning opportunities that inspire people of all ages to connect with, protect, and enjoy the unique estuary environment of south Puget Sound

• Promote and practice stewardship of the Estuarium’s facility and local beaches

• Assist with special events activities including facility events, lectures, and hosting visiting groups of students and scouts;

• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently enrolled in college course in environmental or marine biology field, education, communications, natural resource management, business or public administration, or related field,

• or Recent graduate in fields listed above.

• Excellent listening and communication skills. Good public speaking skills; comfortable speaking to diverse groups of people.

• Excels at working with a wide variety of community members/volunteers.

• Interpersonal skills essential for working collaboratively with staff, board, donors, partners, and the regional community.

• Computer proficiency with knowledge of MS Office applications.

• Ability to be self-directed and work within a team environment.

• Ability to work in physically challenging environment including long periods exposed in extreme temperatures and field conditions while keeping an upbeat personality.

• Ability to lift 40 lbs.

• Must possess a valid Driver’s License.

• CLEAN Background check is required before selection.

• Previous work as an educator and developing STEM, NGSS, and Common Core aligned curriculum desired.

• Current First Aid/CPR certified or ability to become certified after hire.

Applicant will use their own personal computer and easily learn new computer programs/apps.

TERM

The term of the internship is 240 hours over 3 months:

• Spring internship – March through May

• Summer internship – June through August

• Fall internship – September through November

This internship is paid at a rate of $13.69/hr. Interns who complete the internship to satisfaction can receive school credit.

APPLICATION

Please email your resume, cover letter, a list of three references, and state which internship session you are applying for to Education@SSEAcenter.org. If you desire more information about the Environmental Education and Non-profit Internship, please send questions to: Education@SSEAcenter.org. Applications are accepted year round.