Education Intern - Water Resources Education Center

ABOUT THE WATER RESOURCES EDUCATION CENTER:
Overlooking the Columbia River, the City of Vancouver's Water Resources Education Center opened its doors in February 1996 in concert with the adjacent Marine Park Water Reclamation Facility. Since that time, more than 750,000 have come to the Water Center to explore wetlands, count critters, enjoy festivals, share Second Saturday activities, and learn about water through interactive exhibits. Visitors of all ages participate in educational programs designed to fulfill the Water Center's mission to teach us all how to be excellent stewards of water resources and how to use water wisely.

The Water Center, a division of the City of Vancouver's Department of Public Works, is also caretaker of one of the metropolitan area's few remaining natural Columbia River riparian areas--nearly 50 protected acres of adjacent wetlands providing feeding, nesting and resting habitat for more than 120 species of fish and wildlife. The Water Center is part of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve. To learn more about the Water Center's programs, visit our website: www.cityofvancouver.us/watercenter

College students seeking an internship to fulfill a science, education, environmental studies, public relations or an elective requirement are encouraged to apply to the Water Center for an internship position. The Water Center offers three part-time Education internships. Both paid and unpaid internships are available. For both of these programs, candidates must currently be enrolled in a college level academic program.

This position affords the unique opportunity to work in a public science center as a member of the Water Center's Education team. Acquire teaching, environmental interpretation, curriculum development, public speaking, event planning, exhibit development, and animal husbandry skills. Learn about the City of Vancouver's water infrastructure including freshwater delivery systems, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management. Learn how to teach and interpret these topics to multi-generational audiences and inspire visitors to become effective stewards of our water resources.

Under the direct supervision of Water Center education staff, Education Interns assist with the coordination and implementation of the Water Center's school field trip programs, teacher workshops, visitor programs, community outreach, special events, and wetlands stewardship and restoration projects. Education Interns also assist with exhibit development research and develop animal husbandry skills while caring for the Water Center's live animal collection.
 
Salary range: $11.54 - $13.05 per hour, depending on qualifications and nature of assignment
 
Work schedule: The successful candidate will be required to work 15-20 hours per week, including two mornings a week (Monday through Friday), 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as Saturdays, holidays, winter and spring breaks. Work schedules can be adjusted each academic term to accommodate class schedules. Vacations/holidays can be taken by coordinating coverage of shifts with other Interns. To maximize learning potential and skill development, the preferred duration of the internship is one to two years, including a probationary period of three months.

Application Process:

• Complete the entire on-line job application and answer supplemental questions thoughtfully and thoroughly.
• Attach required documents, if applicable.
• Receive confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation email following submission, check your junk/spam mail. Contact HR Assistant Liz Penner at liz.penner@cityofvancouver.us or (360) 487-8411 immediately.

• Lead classes of K-12 students in age-appropriate, hands-on science activities focused on water resources in classroom and outdoor settings. Provide interpretation about Water Center exhibits and live animals. Lead school groups on outdoor tours to adjacent wetlands and water reclamation facility. Lead school groups in field-based water quality monitoring program.
• Provide a high quality learning experience for students and teachers during their visit to the Water Center.
• Assist education staff with curriculum development and updates as needed.
• Assist with planning, development, and implementation of Teacher Workshops as needed.
• Research water-related themes for visitor and community programs such as Second Saturdays, Reading in the Wild, Sturgeon Festival, Earth Day, Science in the Park, etc., and work cooperatively with education team to create engaging science activities that connect multi-generational audiences to nature and the environment.
• Provide education programs to community groups upon request (Girl/Boy Scouts, afterschool programs, senior centers, etc.).
• Work alongside education team to support volunteers (ages 16-80+) during Second Saturday education programs, community outreach, and special events.
• Lead beach clean-up volunteer events with community groups.
• Learn about and assist with restoration projects and removal of invasive species in wetland areas adjacent to Water Center.
• Support interpretation and landscape maintenance projects in outdoor classroom and wildlife habitat garden areas adjacent to the Water Center.
• Learn how to care for and maintain aquaria containing native fish, reptile, and amphibian species.
• Work as part of the Water Center team assisting with set-up and clean up of program materials and activities, making photocopies, filing, purchasing supplies, and covering the reception area as needed (greeting visitors, answering phones).
• Carry out other tasks as needed.

• Must currently be enrolled in a college level academic program
• Must be 18 years of age or older

• Experience working with K-12 students in a classroom, recreational, and/or educational setting.
• Prior experience caring for plants, amphibians, reptiles, and/or fish.
• Prior experience in a leadership role (academic, professional, or volunteer)

• Completion of one or more years of science coursework (with good standing) with focus on Biology, Geology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Resource Management, or comparable science major.

• Experience with PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Publisher computer programs.

• Knowledge of or interest in the environment, water-related issues, science (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Resource Management, Geology, etc.), teaching and education, and museum studies.

• Ability to lead and facilitate hands-on science activities in a classroom setting for 30+ kindergarten-grade 12 students.
• Ability to research, create, and implement engaging science activities that connect multi-generational audiences to nature and the environment.
• Ability to lead outdoor tours and stewardship projects in unfavorable weather conditions (wind/rain).
• Ability to care for live animal collection (feed, clean tanks, monitor health).
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills with a variety of ages (preschool-senior citizens), both oral and written.
• Enjoy working with people of all ages. Ability to provide excellent customer service to visiting families, teachers, parents, and students. Display a friendly and helpful attitude.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with volunteers, teachers, students, staff, and others.
• Be a self-starter, have the ability to problem solve and work independently and on your own initiative.
• Artistic and creative (i.e. drawing, crafting, graphic design, photography, theater, etc.)
• Flexibility to work in a constantly changing environment. Ability to follow instructions provided by supervisor.
• Must be reliable, punctual, and detail-oriented with excellent time management skills.
• Be organized; possess the ability to work on numerous projects simultaneously (multi-task).
• Have reliable transportation.
• Maintain a professional, well-groomed appearance, wear a Water Center uniform (navy blue polo, t-shirt), and follow dress code policies.
• Ability to walk over uneven ground and carry up to 25 pounds.

This position is subject to successful completion of a basic criminal background check.
 

• The 'Work Experience' and/or 'Education' sections of your application must clearly describe how you meet the qualifications for this position as listed above.
• The application (supplemental question #1) requires a description of how the internship will be beneficial as a learning opportunity related to your educational or academic objectives and if selected you must identify a Faculty Sponsor (with phone number).
• A resume or position description will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
• For questions about the job announcement, call: 360-487-8417.
• For technical help with online application, call 1-877-204-4442.
• Application Help: http://www.cityofvancouver.us/hr/page/general-applicant-information.
• Announcement information can be made available in an alternative format by calling 711 (Relay Operator for the Deaf).