Urban Ecology Center Position Announcement

Urban Ecology Summer Intern

Position Summary: The goal of this full-time, seasonal position is to develop skills to become environmentally responsible mentors for the urban Milwaukee community. Interns will experience the full scope of Urban Ecology Center programs including: 1) co-teaching week-long, inquiry-based summer programs, 2) citizen-based field research, 3) urban outdoor recreation programs, 4) stewardship and gardening, 5) serving as mentors to high school interns, 6) green building management 7) coordinating and working with volunteers and 8) other projects as needed.

Qualifications: Working toward or completed an undergraduate or graduate degree in natural sciences, education, environmental education or related area. Experience with a broad range of ages is desirable, including child care, trip leading and other camp/outdoor experience. Proven experience with urban youth and the ability to speak Spanish is a plus. Lifeguard certification required (see below). Willingness to drive a 14-passenger bus is strongly encouraged. To drive, applicants must have a clean driving record with a license that has been active for at least three years. Canoe training and/or water safety certificates are a plus. Physical ability with reasonable accommodation required for various activities, such as carrying and paddling canoes, weeding, using heavy gardening equipment or hiking for a full day.

Compensation: $2,000

Closing dates: Applications are being accepted immediately and are processed on a rolling basis, so early application is strongly encouraged. Final application deadline is Friday April 2, 2010, and applicants should be notified by mid-April.

Internship duration: Monday, June 7, through Friday, August 13, 2010

Primary Responsibilities

Summer Camps

• Work closely with Environmental Educators to develop and teach camper-centered, inquiry-based activities for summer camp students
  
• Oversee and plan camper activities during before- and after-camp sessions
  
• Prepare materials for summer educational activities
  
• Help prepare final report of summer camp activities
  
  

Urban Adventures

• Work closely with Urban Adventures Coordinator to plan outdoor recreation programs
  
• Assist with rock-climbing, canoeing, hiking, and other outdoor nature-related programs
  
• Assist with equipment repair and maintenance as needed
  
  

Citizen Science

• Work closely with the Research Coordinator to support research efforts in Riverside and Washington Parks.
  
• Facilitate research projects, including bird, bat, vegetation, butterfly, snake, turtle and mammal surveys
  
• Assist with logistics and data management as needed
  
  

Natural Area Management and Native Landscaping

• Work with the UEC’s Land Stewards and community volunteers to restore and maintain natural areas of Riverside and Washington Parks and create habitat for wildlife.
  
• Maintain native landscaping (prairie, rain, rooftop sensory and butterfly gardens etc) and organic food demonstration gardens.
  
• Construct, repair, and maintain park trails
  
  

Sustainable Building

• Work closely with the Facilities Coordinator to maintain our building in an ecologically sustainable way
  
• Optimize and monitor building systems to save water, energy and resources
  
• Practice techniques that reduce the environmental impact of our facility
  
  

Volunteer Coordinator

• Work closely with the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure that Urban Ecology Center programs and operations have adequate volunteer support.
  
• Lead various service groups in volunteer work at the Center. Plan and implement service learning programs for youth.
  
• Help maintain the Center’s volunteer database.
  
  

Training: On-site training for all the above is focused within the first three weeks but will be ongoing throughout the internship. Lifeguard certification should be completed by the interns before June 8. If you would like to arrange certification through the Ecology Center, please let us know.

Reports to: Manager of Research and Citizen Science

Send letter of interest, completed application form (download it here), three references and resume to: Urban Ecology Center, Attn: Beth Fetterley,1500 E. Park Place, Milwaukee, WI 53211. For organization information check out our website at www.UrbanEcologyCenter.org.

For further information, please contact Beth Fetterley by phone (414) 964-8505, x103, or e-mail: bfetterley@urbanecologycenter.org

Minorities are encouraged to apply.