Undergraduate Internships at the North Cascades Institute

North Cascades Institute is seeking motivated undergraduate students to be spring or fall interns at its Environmental Learning Center, located on the shores of Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park. Up to two interns will be selected each season to live and work alongside Institute staff and graduate students. Internships are designed to provide training in environmental education with some practical application of skills; as such, interns will work under close supervision from mentors. Duties include observing and teaching our residential environmental education program, Mountain School, assisting with educational programs for youth or adults, assisting with Learning Center operations, and participating in Institute events, staff meetings, and program debriefs. In addition, the interns will be responsible for completing an independent project related to the experience. This is a full-time position. Interns should expect to work five days (approximately forty hours) each week. Some weekend work is required. There is some flexibility with responsibilities based upon individual university requirements. It is the responsibility of the intern to complete paperwork with his or her university necessary to receive credit for the experience.

Qualifications

Required:

·       Enthusiasm for the mission of North Cascades Institute

·       Junior or Senior status at a university

·       Some coursework in a related field

·       Experience working with children

·       Willingness to live in a rural area

·       Ability to hike four miles with a backpack

·       Possession of current driver’s license; acceptable driving record for past three years

·       CPR/ First Aid Certification (more advanced certifications preferred)

·       Criminal history disclosure form and background check will be required

Preferred:

·       Wilderness First Responder Certification.  Strong preference will be given to applicants with this certification. Interns without this certification will not be able to solo instruct some programs.

·       Experience living in a small community

·       Experience working at a camp or residential education center

·       Familiarity with Microsoft Office

·       Ability to complete the full term of the internship

Responsibilities

Teaching (50%): Attend staff training; shadow, team teach, and solo instruct Mountain School program; assist with planning and teaching of at least two weekend programs.

Administrative and operations (20%): Assist with facility operations and gear maintenance; attend weekly meetings and hands-to-work.

Assessment and Evaluation (10%): Participate in weekly program debriefs, weekly check-in with supervisor, end-of season debrief and exit interview; participate in peer observations and feedback.

Independent Project (20%): Complete an independent project related to natural history, environmental education, stewardship or the operation of an Environmental Learning Center. The project should be approved by the supervisor and submitted to NCI upon completion.  Ideal projects will be relevant to the Institute and in a format that can be utilized after the intern leaves. Past projects have included developing lesson plans to be used at NCI programs, making educational videos, and writing a native plant restoration management plan.

Benefits and Housing

This is an unpaid internship, available for college credit. Interns will be offered housing either at the Environmental Learning Center or in the neighboring towns of Diablo or Newhalem. Interns may be asked to share a room for part or all of the internship. Interns are responsible for their own food, though some meals will be provided when programs are in session. Interns are responsible for their own health insurance and transportation.

Application deadlines

Spring internship deadline: February 1, 2012

Fall internship deadline: May 1, 2012

Internship Dates

Spring internship: February 27 – June 10, 2012 (some flexibility)

Fall internship: August 29 – December 7, 2012 (some flexibility)

To Apply

To apply, please send letter of interest, resume, and names of three references with current contact information to:

North Cascades Institute

Undergraduate Internships

Attn: Katie Chipko

810 State Route 20

Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

For more information, contact Katie Chipko at 206-526-2562, or mailto:katie_chipko@ncascades.org?subject=Undergrad%20internships%20query%20from%20web.