Puget Sound Estuarium – Community Engagement Internship

DESCRIPTION

Community Engagement Interns are responsible for connecting the community to the unique estuary environment and inspiring conservation through educational and engaging tours and programs. This position plays a key role in the community engagement program by assisting the Program and Volunteer Director. Responsibilities include providing guided tours of the Estuarium, helping deliver educational programs for all ages, designing and facilitating rotating exhibits, caring for the estuary animal ambassadors and their habitats, and mentoring volunteers. This internship is 10 weeks with an average weekly hour allotment of 10-15 hours. This internship is unpaid with potential to receive college credit or paid through State Work Study.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Currently enrolled in college courses in environmental or marine biology, education, communications, natural resource management, business or public administration, or related fields OR recent graduate.
  • 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 and Google Suite. 
  • Ability to be self-directed and work within a team environment. 
  • Ability to lift 40 lbs. 
  • Must possess a valid Driver’s License. 
  • CLEAN Background check is required before selection. 


MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Visitor Hours

  • Lead Private Guided Tours of the Estuarium
  • Interpret estuary habitats and rotating exhibits
  • Mentor visitor hours volunteers
  • Develop permanent and rotating exhibits
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Small projects as assigned

Community Programs

  • Assist with the following programs
    • Pier Peer (year-round)
    • Tiny Tides Storytime (year-round)
    • Meet the Beach (spring/summer)
    • Sea Stroll: A History of the Estuary Tour (summer)
    • Urban Birding (spring/fall)
    • Crab Molt Searches (spring)
    • Salmon Experience (fall)
    • SoundCore Exchange (fall)
    • Discovery Speaker Series (fall/winter)

 

SCHEDULE/WORK PLACE

This internship is ideally split between two, with shared responsibilities to cover weekend visitor hours at the Estuarium. When not working weekends, interns will either work from home on exhibits, or travel to assist with community programs.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Community Engagement Internships are unpaid, but are eligible for college credit with Evergreen State College and St. Martin’s University. Students may be reimbursed through the Washington Student Achievement Council’s Work Study Program. College credit or WSAC reimbursement is solely the responsibility of the intern.
 

Applicants will be subject to a background check. Please email your resume, cover letter, and a list of three professional references to the Program and Volunteer Director at programs@pugetsoundestuarium.org. Applications are accepted year round.