THIS POSITION IS BEING OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CONSERVATION TRUST FOR NORTH CAROLINA (CTNC) THROUGH THE MAX INTERNSHIP: SEEDING RACE EQUITY IN CONSERVATION.

INTERNSHIP POSITION TITLE 

Natural Resources Intern

HOST SITE

Primary location: Walnut Creek Wetland Park City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources

LOCATION

950 Peterson St, Raleigh, NC 27610

DURATION

May 22 - July 30 2021 (10 weeks)

POSITION SUMMARY

Operating an urban wetland nature park like Walnut Creek Wetland Park requires a full toolbox.  Management includes aspects of land management, managing people (patrons, volunteers, interns and staff), creating engaging educational programming, and staying true to the historical significance of the site and those who worked so hard help make the park a reality. 

The intern that accepts this position will gain skills from the experiences that address all of these aspects of park management in this setting.  The intern will assist with land management by removing invasive plants, removing litter, and learning how land management can differ between parks within the City’s Natural Resources section (including managing through use of fire.)  The intern will assist with visiting camp field trips, volunteer events, Youth Conservation Corps, Kaleidoscope Preschool Camp (a nature camp for young children experiencing homelessness), Girls in Science Camp (if intern identifies as female) and regular staff with normal park duties (such as caring for animals, and park/facility maintenance).  The intern will learn about the historic significance of the park. The intern will have the opportunity to work on a project that benefits both the park and the intern and aligns with the intern’s interests and passions, and to attend courses and seminars that can earn credit toward N.C. Environmental Education Certification JOB DUTIES

Land Stewardship-50%

• Assisting Walnut Creek Wetland Park staff and other Natural Resources sites with land management including litter removal, invasive species removal, trail building, monitoring reptile and amphibian coverboard trails and bird boxes and documentation of species through iNaturalist or other means.

Environmental Education-20%

• Assisting other Environmental Educators with various camps and programs (Preschool Nature Camp, Girls in Science, Youth Conservation Corps, Watershed Learning Network)
• Attend Environmental Educator class(es), including Don't Waste It, a new curriculum for educators.

Facility Management and Other Opportunities-30%

• Caring for facility's program animals, attending planning meetings for various projects and Partners for Environmental Justice meetings

QUALIFICATIONS

Required knowledge, skills and experience:

• Must be at least 18 years of age, and have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be passionate about nature, environmental science, and conservation
• Must possess excellent verbal and written skills
• Must have a pleasant attitude and dedication to customer service
• Must be willing to work weekends and evenings
• Must be organized, responsible, punctual, reliable and independent
• Must have reliable source of transportation
• Must be able to lift up to 50lbs on occasion
• Must be able to walk at least one mile over rough terrain regularly.
• Must be willing and able to work in an outdoor environment in all kinds of weather conditions.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher

Preferred additional knowledge, skills and experience:

• Must have a strong interest in teaching about nature and environmental science, and be comfortable leading nature programs for children and adults.
• A degree or coursework in education, environmental science, biology or related area is preferred.
• A plus: Ability to speak Spanish, use GPS for locating elements within the park, ability to use map-making software such as iMaps.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

The application should include a cover letter, resume and three references. It is preferred that  at least one reference be a professor or advisor.

If you have questions or require  more information  about this  position,  contact Stacie  Hagwood at Stacie.hagwood@raleighnc.govor 919-996-2760. To  learn  more  about  Walnut  Creek Wetland Park, go to  https://raleighnc.gov/places/walnut-creek-wetland-park.  To  learn  more about how the park was founded, go to https://www.pejraleighnc.org/

ABOUT THE MAX INTERNSHIP

Founded in 2008 in honor of late CTNC board member, Max Mukelabai, the Max Internship provides a platform for high school graduates and college students of color – including people of Asian, Black, Latinx, multiracial, and Native American descent – to engage in and help shape conservation work. Rising leaders of color from across the state participate in paid 10-week summer internships, gaining real-world, hands-on experience. CTNC provides compensation, one-on-one mentorship, and professional networking to equip interns with a strong foundation for successful careers in conservation and beyond.

During the program, host sites learn about conservation through a lens of race and power. Through a combination of individual and group learning, host site supervisors build their capacity to facilitate discussions about race within their organizations, understand their relationships to power, and develop strategies for transforming a culture based in race equity practice. COMPENSATION

All interns will receive a $5,000 stipend, divided and paid bi-monthly over the course of their internship.

If you have questions about the program, please contact Lacey Frownfelter at lacey@ctnc.org

Please note that interviews are scheduled and conducted through the host site.