Job Postings for the Nature Center!

JOB OPENINGS NOW For:

Summer 2021

Summer Internship and Intern Coordinator:


Nature Center Summer Internship

Sherwood Island State Park, Westport, CT

Timeframe Summer 2021, Wednesdays through Sundays

__________________________________________________________________________________

Job Description

Spend the summer outside in the sun at Sherwood Island State Park. We are looking for five

enthusiastic Nature Center interns that want environmental education experiences and an increased

connection with nature. Interns must be responsible, reliable, creative, and passionate. Interns will

provide a hands-on approach to exploring the natural world with children of all ages. Interns will gain

personal fulfillment from knowing you have helped impact the lives of our community’s youth and

protected the environment. Interns will assist in all aspects of programming and daily operations for

the Nature Center’s summer season. The intern program is funded by the Friends of Sherwood Island

State Park, a nonprofit organization. Interns report to the Friends’ Intern Coordinator and the CT

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Nature Center Interpretive Guide. Each

intern will schedule a total of 32 six-hour days with the Intern Coordinator, 3-4 days/week. Weeks

worked depend upon when you are available. We are flexible, but want a strong commitment from you

to be there when agreed.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Essential Daily Job Duties & Responsibilities

– Welcome visitors to the Nature Center and initiate nature-related activities.

– Staff and maintain the aquatic tanks. Care for live animals residing in the Nature Center.

– Assist with programming such as Horseshoe Crab tagging, nature walks, and seining.

– Assist with monitoring the Purple Martin nesting gourds and other Citizen Science projects.

– Develop and care for interpretive exhibits and other equipment inside and outside the Nature Center.

– Assist with Disc Golf loan program for the 5-hole beginner friendly Nature Center loop.

– Set up & assist visitors with nature-related arts & crafts activities.

– Water the Pollinator garden as needed.

Note: Responsibilities may vary depending on the current State of CT pandemic guidelines.

________________________________________________________________________________

Minimum Required Skills

– High school or college student with a focus on environmental studies, natural sciences, or education.

– Strong work ethic & reliability.

– Enthusiasm for teaching people of all ages.

– Teaching experience & specific skills, such as birdwatching, hiking, fishing, animal care, arts & crafts.

– Minimum 16 years old, parent/guardian permission if under 18 years old.

– Experience working with audio, visual, and presentation equipment is a plus.

– Bilingual, Spanish speaking ability is a plus.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Stipend

$1000 for the season. Parent/guardian consent required if under 18. Contact us below if you are eager to

commit to working part of this summer as described above. Other volunteer positions are available apart

from this internship, no age minimum.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Application due by April 22

Interested candidates can find more information at: https://friendsofsherwoodisland.org. The internship

application is here: https://friendsofsherwoodisland.org/interning-at-the-nature-center/. In addition to

submitting the online application, please send your resume to Cece at Saunders.Cece@gmail.com.

Email or call 203-984-1488 if you have questions.


Nature Center Intern Coordinator

Sherwood Island State Park, Westport, CT

Timeframe Summer 2021, Wednesdays through Sundays

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Job Description

We are looking for one enthusiastic Nature Center Intern Coordinator that will assist in the planning and

implementation of our summer internship program. The Coordinator, as well as the interns will have summer

fun in the sun at Sherwood Island State Park. The Intern Coordinator must be responsible, reliable, creative,

and passionate about providing environmental education experiences with children of all ages. The Intern

Coordinator will be involved in the hiring, interviewing, selection, and daily scheduling of up to five Summer

Interns. The Intern Coordinator will guide the Interns through all aspects of programming, daily operations, and

public enjoyment of the Nature Center’s summer season. The intern program is funded by the Friends of

Sherwood Island State Park, a nonprofit organization. The Intern Coordinator will report to the CT Department

of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Nature Center Interpretive Guide and the Friends’ liaison to

the Nature Center. The Intern Coordinator will schedule 32 six-hour days with the Summer Interns, 3-4

days/week. Days per week will depend upon when you and the Interns are available. We are flexible, but want

a strong commitment from you to be there when agreed.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Coordinator Job Duties & Responsibilities

– Welcome visitors to the Nature Center and initiate nature-related activities.

– Staff and maintain the aquatic tanks. Care for live animals residing in the Nature Center.

– Assist with programming such as Horseshoe Crab tagging, nature walks, and seining.

– Assist with monitoring the Purple Martin nesting gourds and other Citizen Science projects.

– Develop & care for interpretive exhibits and other equipment inside & outside the Nature Center.

– Assist with Disc Golf loan program for the 5-hole beginner friendly Nature Center loop.

– Set up and assist visitors with nature-related arts & crafts activities.

– Budget management including purchasing Nature Center supplies, animal food, arts & crafts materials, etc.

– Develop and enforce an Intern cell phone policy.

– Complete end of season exit interviews with the Interns.

– Write an end of year summary report.

Note: Some responsibilities may vary depending on the current State of CT pandemic guidelines.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Minimum Required Skills

– College student with a focus on environmental studies, natural sciences, or education.

– Strong work ethic & reliability.

– Enthusiasm for teaching people of all ages.

– Teaching experience & specific skills, such as birdwatching, hiking, fishing, animal care, arts & crafts.

– Experience working with audio, visual, and presentation equipment is a plus.

– Bilingual, Spanish speaking ability is a big plus.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Stipend

$1750 for the season. Stipend amount dependent on qualifications and experience. Contact us below if you

are eager to commit to working part of this summer as described above.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Application due by April 22

Interested candidates can find more information at: https://friendsofsherwoodisland.org. The internship

application is here: https://friendsofsherwoodisland.org/interning-at-the-nature-center/. In addition to

submitting the online application, please send your resume to Cece at Saunders.Cece@gmail.com.

Email or call 203-984-1488 if you have questions.