Employment and Intership Opportunities
The nation is turning its eyes toward Milwaukee’s Urban Ecology Center as the model of effective and impactful urban environmental education. Located on vibrant public green spaces, our fast-growing organization serves over 75,000 people of all ages annually. Our innovative team of cutting-edge nonprofit professionals works in a creative, high-energy open office in a state-of-the-art green facility.
Awarded the national Alfred P Sloan “When Work Works” recognition and a 2009 Top Workplace by the Business Journal, the Urban Ecology Center is a leader in workplace flexibility. The Urban Ecology Center’s facility and programs have been recognized nationally and internationally for their innovative approach to sustainability, neighborhood-based urban environmental education and citizen science.
We need you!
Our current opportunities are:
- Development Assistant
- Executive Assistant, Director of Finance and Operations
- 2012 Summer Internship Opportunities
- Menomonee Valley Branch Manager
- Research Internships for Credit
Development Assistant
The primary responsibilities of this part time position (25 hours per week) are to support the Center's individual giving efforts through prospect research, data entry, report generation and assisting with fund raising events and activities. The Development Assistant will be responsible for ensuring the timely updating of donor records and gift entry. Previous data entry experience (2+ years) is required. Experience with Raiser’s Edge or similar software is preferred. This position reports to Director of Development and Marketing and will work as part of a fundraising team with the Executive Director, Individual Giving Specialist to support the operations of two current Urban Ecology Center branches, a third branch opening in 2012 and other projects.
For more information please review the job announcement or job description for this position. If you have questions about this position, contact Ginger Duiven (gduiven@urbanecologycenter.org).
How to Apply:
Before you begin an application form, be prepared to attach:
1) a letter of interest,
2) a resume
3) three professional references
Click here to complete an application form
For questions about your application materials please contact Nancy Spransy (nspransy@UrbanEcologyCenter.org). Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Executive Assistant, Director of Finance and Operations
The primary responsibilities of this part-time position (20 hours per week) are to support the Center's administrative functions, assist with routine and special finance and operations projects, and help enter and maintain data. Previous finance and/or accounting experience (2+ years) is required. Experience with Excel and QuickBooks or similar software is preferred. This position reports to The Director of Finance and Operations and will work as part of the Operations team.
For more information please review the job announcement or job description for this position. If you have questions about this position, contact Judy Krause (jkrause@urbanecologycenter.org).
How to Apply:
Before you begin an application form, be prepared to attach:
1) a letter of interest,
2) a resume
3) three professional references
Click here to complete an application form
For questions about your application materials please contact Nancy Spransy (nspransy@UrbanEcologyCenter.org). Applications will be accepted until February 15. 2012.
Menomonee Valley Branch Manager
The primary responsibilities of this full time position are to provide leadership to the new branch, working from an organization-wide perspective on mission and strategy. The Branch Manager manages community based environmental education programming, oversees the daily operations at the branch, as well as program development, reporting, activities, volunteer and visitor engagement, and educational exhibits.
This position reports to the Senior Director of Education and Strategic Planning and works closely with the senior leadership team on all aspects of the branch programs and strategies. This position requires experience with education management, a minimum of three years supervising staff and working in a team setting. Also required is a minimum of two years teaching a broad range of ages and experience with urban youth. A bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, environmental education or related area is required; a master’s degree in a related field is a plus. Ability to speak Spanish or Hmong is highly desired.
For more information please review the job announcement or job description for this position. If you have questions about this position, contact Beth Heller (bheller@urbanecologycenter.org).
How to Apply:
Before you begin an application form, be prepared to attach:
1) a letter of interest,
2) a resume
3) three professional references
Click here to complete an application form
For questions about your application materials please contact Nancy Spransy (nspransy@UrbanEcologyCenter.org). Applications will be accepted until February 15. 2012.
Summer 2012 Internship Opportunities
The Summer Internship positions are ideal for someone who is looking to gain experience in environmental education, outdoor adventure activities (canoeing, rock-climbing, etc.), field research, volunteer coordination, land stewardship, green building management and working in a non-profit organization. Summer Interns can expect to gain experience in a wide variety of programs at our three urban locations, Riverside Park, Washington Park and the Menomonee Valley. There are three areas of interest available:
- Summer Education Program Internship is ideal for someone interested in a career in environmental education. Education interns act as counselors during week-long inquiry-based day camps, assist in Urban Adventure programming (canoeing, rock-climbing, etc.) and support neighborhood programming.
- Facilities, Research and Stewardship Internship focuses on monitoring the built and natural spaces at our three sites. Interns work both in the field (managing invasive species, monitoring wildlife) and on green building management (natural landscaping, facility resource conservation).
- Volunteer and Visitor Services Internship focuses on the nuts and bolts of creating a positive experience for visitors of all ages as well as recruitment, integration and retention of the highly valued volunteers.
Attention to safety, a willingness to work in often-unpredictable environments under strenuous conditions, and the ability to work in a team are essential qualities for these positions. Physical ability with reasonable accommodation is required for various activities.
Interns work closely with Urban Ecology Center staff and may be paired with high-school students participating in the Urban Ecology Center’s High School Outdoor Leadership Program, acting as mentors to a younger generation of future leaders.
The internship is a 40 hour per week position from Wednesday, June 6 until Friday, August 17, 2012. Compensation for the program is $2,000. Upon completion of the internship, the Urban Ecology Center strives to help interns gain employment through networking, sharing job announcements and writing letters of support.
For more information, please review the general job announcement below or one of the specific announcements below:
- Education Program Internship
- Facilities, Research and Stewardship Internship
- Volunteer and Visitor Services Internship
If you have questions about any of these positions, contact If you have questions contact Tim Vargo at tvargo@urbanecologycenter.org or (414) 964-8505 x116.
How to Apply:
Before you begin an application form, be prepared to attach:
1) a letter of interest,
2) a resume
3) three professional references
Click below to complete an application for:
- Education Program Internship
- Facilities, Research and Stewardship Internship
- Volunteer and Visitor Services Internship
For questions about your application materials please contact Nancy Spransy (nspransy@UrbanEcologyCenter.org). Applications are being accepted immediately and are processed on a rolling basis, so early application is strongly encouraged. Final application deadline is Sunday April 1, 2012, and applicants should be notified by mid-April.
Research Internships for Credit
The Urban Ecology Center, a community-based not-for-profit nature center, is seeking interns to conduct research in the Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum (including Riverside Park), Washington Park and the Menomonee Valley.
Areas of research include but are not limited to:
- Bat Monitoring
- Restoration Ecology
- Exotic Species Control
- Snake, Turtle and Other Herptile Population Dynamics
- Urban Bird Migration
- Vegetation Surveys
- Small Mammal Survey and Population Work
- Soil Properties and Pollutant Remediation
- Human Impacts on Park Ecology
- River Issues - Ecology
- Green Building
- Terrestrial Invertebrate Surveys
- Spatial Analysis of Biological, Ecological and Physical Data
Positions are set up year-round.
For more information on this opportunity download this announcement. If you'd like to set up an internship, please contact Tim Vargo, Manager of Research and Citizen Science at tvargo@urbanecologycenter.org or 414-964-8505, x116.
