The Outreach and Education Intern will join the team at The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Blowing Rocks Preserve. This preserve is one of four campus preserves 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. Blowing Rocks Preserve is a 73-acre protected area located on a barrier island in Southeast Florida, with diverse native coastal habitats and shorelines on the Atlantic Ocean and Indian River Lagoon estuary. The preserve is open to the public and welcomes more than 70,000 visitors each year. 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 co-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 Wednesday through Sunday 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*
– Off-site, shared housing with private bedroom
– $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-00735264
Expected Dates: June 1, 2023 - May 29, 2024
Location:
574 South Beach Road
Hobe Sound, FL 33455
US
Training Provided: Education and outreach, land stewardship , plant identification, First Aid/CPR/AED, TNC’s Youth Safety Qualification, Hazardous Marine Life Injuries, Aquatic Collections Certification, and off-road vehicle training.
Educational/Recreational Opportunities: There is access to many other conservation areas and nature centers, and lakes, an estuary, and the Atlantic Ocean. Various sites offer kayaking, paddle-boarding, snorkeling, scuba, birdwatching, fishing, and hiking.
Handicap Accessible?: Yes
Main Area of Focus: Education and Interpretation
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Eligible
Driving Logistics: Required
Personal vehicle is needed to drive from housing to preserve offices and for recreation (slim public transportation).
Housing or Stipend Provided?
A. Partner will provide suitable housing for the member
Shared co-ed housing, with a private room, will be provided in a bunkhouse located 1.5 miles away from the preserve at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.
Indoor/Outdoor: Combination
US Citizenship: No