The Outreach and Education Intern will help support conservation efforts at two of the Nature Conservancy’s preserves in Central Florida. These campus preserves are under TNC Florida’s Center for Conservation Initiatives (CCI), a state-wide center of excellence that focuses on supporting conservation through public outreach, education and training, science, and land stewardship. The intern will live and serve at Disney Wilderness Preserve in Kissimmee, FL and support the work at Tiger Creek Preserve in Babson Park, FL. Disney Wilderness Preserve is 11,500 acres of longleaf pine and freshwater wetland habitat that has undergone hydrological restoration and is actively managed with prescribed fire by The Nature Conservancy. Tiger Creek Preserve is 4,980-acres protecting habitats and species endemic to the Lake Wales Ridge, including longleaf pine sandhills, seasonal wetlands, and two blackwater streams. The intern will develop a variety of skills related to outreach, education, and land stewardship.
The purpose of this internship is to provide hands-on experiential learning for an emerging environmental/ informal education professional. The primary duties for the internship focus on outreach and education (at least 80% of time). The intern will work with preserve staff to develop, promote, and facilitate new and existing educational tours, public outreach events, and experiential education programs. The intern will assist with training preserve outreach volunteers and facilitating volunteer workdays. The intern will carry out preserve operations including opening and closing, collecting trash and recycling, and public restroom upkeep. The intern will also assist with land stewardship activities (up to 20% of time). Duties will include assisting with trail maintenance, wildlife monitoring, and invasive species surveys, management, and monitoring. The internship work schedule is Tuesday through Saturday including some holidays.
Preferred skills include delivering educational content to groups, customer service experience, and an interest in natural sciences and environmental conservation. Multi-cultural experience and/or multi-lingual skills are appreciated.
The intern will receive training in areas including environmental interpretation, visitor management, working with volunteers, native species identification, and wildlife monitoring. The intern will receive mentoring, professional development training, as well as networking opportunities. The intern will be expected to participate in training for and obtain certifications for First Aid/CPR/AED, TNC’s Youth Safety Qualification and ATV and UTV driving. Additional trainings may be available. The intern will develop and complete a project related to their position and present their work. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in monthly CCI intern networking meetings.
This position provides:
– $275 weekly Living Allowance*
– $1,100 one-time round-trip Travel Allowance*
– On-site shared housing with private bedroom provided
– $40 per week commuting allowance
– Health insurance
The AmeriCorps Education Award available upon successful completion of this position is $6,345.00.
*All allowances subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
It is SCA’s policy that all AmeriCorps-required background checks must return cleared results prior to the position’s start; this includes being fingerprinted for the FBI check. Otherwise, the AmeriCorps award will be removed or the position’s start date will be delayed due to non-compliance.
Conditions of Employment
All TNC staff and interns based in the U.S. or a U.S. territory are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of receiving one of the vaccines approved in the U.S. (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson) shall be condition of employment and must be provided prior to starting work. TNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and reasonable accommodations for candidates who cannot be vaccinated due to a valid medical reason, religious reason, or state law will be considered.
Position ID: PO-00733923
Expected Dates: July 1, 2023 - June 23, 2024
Location:
2700 Scrub Jay Trail
Kissimmee, FL 34759
US
Training Provided: Education and outreach, land stewardship, plant identification, First Aid/CPR/AED, TNC’s Youth Safety Qualification, and off-road vehicle training
Educational/Recreational Opportunities: There is access to many other conservation areas and nature centers, and lakes, an estuary, and a 90-mile drive to the coast. Various sites offer kayaking, paddle-boarding, snorkeling, scuba, birdwatching, fishing, hiking, and proximity to theme parks.
Handicap Accessible?: Yes
Main Area of Focus: Education and Interpretation
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Eligible
Driving Logistics: Required
Shared co-housing, with a private room, will be provided onsite at Disney Wilderness Preserve.
Indoor/Outdoor: Combination
US Citizenship: No
