TITLE: Naturalist Intern
CLASSIFICATION: Intern (Academic Credit)
DEPARTMENT: Education
DIRECT REPORT: Senior Naturalist
DESCRIPTION:
Under the direction of the Senior Naturalist, the Naturalist Intern will assist with summer camp programming which includes creating and presenting lesson plans.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Intern will be part of an impactful project supporting healthy habitats at Pool Wildlife Sanctuary;
• intern will assist a seasoned naturalist in the presentation of a vast array of hands on, nature based programming which includes summer camp, community group presentation at PWS or anywhere in the Lehigh River watershed;
• intern will be guided through the creation and presentation of a curriculum based lesson plan;
• intern will create a personal environmental education portfolio documenting internship activities, self-designed lesson plan, final intern project, and a naturalist journal;
• intern will be part of an outreach team working to promote the Wildlands Conservancy message at a community event; and
• intern will participate in a project with our Conservation Department.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Completion of at least one year towards a BS or BA and committed to educating children through science based hands on learning;
• commitment to a full season of work is expected. Summer internships are 20 to 40 hours per week with a ten week commitment in summer and as determined by school during, fall and spring semesters;
• experience teaching environmental education preferred but not mandatory;
• comfortable speaking in front of a group and interacting with people of all ages, income levels, cultural backgrounds and intellectual abilities;
• comfortable handling live animals;
• ability to work independently and within a team;
• have a strong work ethic and sense of humor;
• ability to lift up to 25 pounds;
• basic computer literacy in Microsoft Office;
• excellent interpersonal skills;
• a professional appearance;
• must possess or be willing to obtain; current CPR, First Aid and AED certification; Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151); Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Record Check (Act 34); FBI Clearance (Act 114); and
• possess valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Wildlands Conservancy offices are smoke-free. The ability to work harmoniously in manifestly friendly – but close – quarters is required. Working long and unusual hours, including some evenings and weekends, and walking and standing on uneven natural surfaces on land or in water is common. Travel is usually fairly local, rarely requiring overnight stay.
