Environmental Education and Conservation Intern

Environmental Education and Conservation Intern

Position Summary

The major responsibilities of the intern are to develop and present indoor and outdoor environmental education programs for the general public, specific groups and elementary school classes. Secondary opportunities are (1) participation in conservation projects relating to the habitats and species of the Saratoga Sandplains and (2) participation on trail work and support of the recreational programs.

This is a full-time, 12-month internship. Housing can be provided at no-cost at the Preserve & Park Office. Pay is minimum wage. A vehicle is required, but mileage for work-use is reimbursed at the market-rate.

Position Tasks and Responsibilities

Environmental Education

On- and off-site education programs

· Developing and reviewing lesson plans

· Scheduling and communication with classroom teachers/group leaders

· Organizing and prepping all program supplies

· Sending out emails and arranging for the needed Environmental Education Volunteers

· Participating in Training with Environmental Education volunteers

· Communicating with the Environmental Education volunteers, insure they are prepared for programs

· Presenting educational programs

· Recording program attendance

· Following up with group leaders/survey, file hard copies of surveys

· Maintaining up-to-date file of current programs and systems

After-school programs

· Developing and reviewing lesson plans

· Scheduling and communication with BOCES program coordinator

· Organizing and prepping all program supplies

· Filing of all paperwork relative to program supplies

· Maintaining up-to-date file of current programs

· Recording program attendance

· Public Programs at the Preserve & Park and Tabling Events

· Developing and reviewing seasonal schedule of public programs

· Organizing and prepping all program supplies

· Putting together program flyer

· Assisting with PR for programs

· Putting all program information on Web Site

· Taking reservations for programs if needed

· Staffing tabling opportunities at community events

· Sending out emails and arranging for the needed Env. Ed. Volunteers

· Collecting information from program participants for mailing list

· Recording program attendance

· Maintaining up-to-date file of presented programs

Visitor Center

· Developing interpretive displays

· Staffing center during public hours

· Keeping center stocked with brochures, maps and flyers

Conservation

· Karner blue butterfly restoration efforts; seed collecting, lupine planting

· Other studies: e.g.: woodcock, Blanding’s turtle, amphibian watch, wetland study, bird survey

· Creating a new conservation project

Recreation

· Planning, preparation and participation in recreation events like the Moonlight Ski and the Wildlife Festival

· Helping with trail work days and with winter grooming

General

Hospitality

· Greeting and communicating information to visitors

· Answering the phone and checking the answering machine

· Taking messages

Organizing materials and records

· Keeping maps stocked at kiosks

· Keeping flyers at kiosks up-to-date

· Keeping educational supplies organized

· Keeping intern computer files organized and up-to-date

Meeting participation

· Attending board meetings

· Attending volunteer meetings

· Attending Education Committee Meetings/Conservation Committee Meetings

80 Scout Road

· Helping to keep office public spaces clean and appealing

· Keeping living spaces clean and organized (kitchen, bathroom and bedroom)

· Shoveling sidewalk and entryways in the winter

Conserving ecological systems and natural settings,

while providing opportunities for environmental education and outdoor recreation.

80 Scout Road, Gansevoort, NY 12831 ● 518-450-0321