Join the Cary Institute education team to work to foster ecological literacy in our community. The Ecology Education Intern will be mentored by and work collaboratively with education staff to implement programming for K-12 students. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting field trips, schoolyard ecology programming at area schools, a virtual data literacy program for K-12 students, professional learning for educators and other education programs. The Education Intern will develop skills and confidence in working with children in outdoor settings, learn effective pedagogy for teaching ecology with a wide range of audiences, develop skills in program management, gain familiarity with professional learning programs for educators and learn about different options for future work and study in ecology education. The Education Intern will join our rich community and network of research scientists, scientific support staff, communication and grant experts, and educators.
Key Responsibilities
- Support and lead K-12 field trips on site at Cary and schoolyard programs at area schools.
- Maintain a safe, friendly, and supportive space for all program participants.
- Collaboratively develop ecology lessons and activities with Cary education staff.
- Work outreach events like Dover Earth Day and other community programs.
- Contribute to assessment of program outcomes.
- Prepare, maintain, and organize materials for programs.
- Assist in implementation of annual Hudson Data Jam competition.
- Help support professional learning programs for educators.
- Engage in ongoing professional learning related to ecology and outdoor education.
- The Ecology Education Intern will create an Individual Development Plan at the beginning of their internship, specifying their learning goals and mapping out the activities and supports that will help them achieve these goals.
- Prepare and deliver a presentation to the Cary community highlighting learning from the internship experience.
Duration: This is a temporary, hourly, non-exempt, unbenefited full time position for up to 6 months’ duration, any time starting in January 2025, ending June 30. Work schedule, start and end dates to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Location: In person at Cary’s campus in Millbrook, NY. Occasional remote work will be possible.
Salary: This is a temporary, hourly (35 hours/week), non-exempt, non-benefited position. Pay rate is $18-21 per hour, depending on the applicant’s education and experience.
Housing: Optional on-site shared housing is available starting January 29 at a rate of $552/month. Beginning March 1, 2025, the rate will be $563.00/month. Includes private room and shared bath.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field
- College coursework in ecology, environmental science, or related courses
- Experience working with children
- Strong interest in working with students in grades K-12, with an emphasis on elementary and middle school students
- A passion for sharing science and the environment with children
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Organizational skills including experience in using the Google suite of applications
- Willing to work outdoors in all environmental conditions (includes, but is not limited to, occasional cold and hot temperatures, light to moderate rain and snow, mosquitoes and ticks)
- This position requires physical activity, including walking across uneven and sometimes steep terrain as part of outdoor programs. The office space where interns typically work is on a second floor accessible by stairs; however, alternative workspaces are available on the ground floor.
Preferred Qualifications
- Background and interest in Hudson Valley ecosystems
- College coursework in education and/or informal teaching experience
- Teaching experience in formal and/or informal settings
- Experience working with diverse audiences
- Experience working with data
- Ecological/environmental field or lab research experience from college, internships, or jobs
- Excellent data management, analysis, and visualization skills
- Spanish language skills
We strongly encourage applications from historically underrepresented groups in science and education fields (e.g., BIPOC, LGBTQ+, women, and first-generation college students). Candidates must be authorized to work in the US.
Closing Date: Posting is open until November 30, 2024 or until filled.
Position Reports to: The Ecology Education Intern will report to Ashley Alred, Program Leader, with additional mentorship from Rebecca Van Tassell, Program Leader, and Dr. Alan Berkowitz, Director of Education.
To Apply: Please complete an online application at http://www.caryinstitute.org/who-we-are/jobs. As a single PDF, please also upload a cover letter, resume , and the names and full contact information (including e-mail address) for three professional references.
The Cary Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action (AA) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.