Seasonal Naturalist Internships

Join Walking Mountains Science Center for an unforgettable experience working with people of all ages in the outdoors. Grow as an environmental educator and interpreter and create an incredible network of contacts for your future career. 

We are no longer accepting applications for the Summer Naturalist and Multi-Season Naturalist Internship positions. We will begin accepting applications for Winter 2013-2014 in August 2013. 

 

 Summer Naturalist Internships

Join Walking Mountains Science Center for an unforgettable opportunity to teach about Colorado's Rocky Mountain ecosystem and work with people of all ages. Grow as an environmental educator and interpreter while creating and incredible netweork of contacts for your future.

Responsibilities:

 Summer Naturalist Interns present nature walks, interpretive talks, environmental education programs, evening programs, and staffing visitor center desks at Walking Mountains Science Center and each of our partner locations (US Forest Service – White River National Forest, Vail Nature Center; and Vail Resorts’ Nature Discovery Center). Training and ongoing professional development are also components of the internship position.

 Naturalists will rotate through a schedule of staffing four nature/visitor centers, guiding hikes for multi-aged groups, developing programs and lessons, presenting interpretive evening programs, teaching environmental education lessons to children in local recreation district day camps, and assisting in on-going Science Center projects.

Qualifications:

•   Enthusiasm for educating others about the  natural environment and expanding personal knowledge of Rocky Mountain ecology;
• Experience with informal education of children and/or adults;
• Excellent oral communication skills;
• Ability to obtain current First Aid and CPR certifications before summer begins;
• Interest in working flexible hours (including evenings and weekends);
• Ability to hike and work outdoors in all weather conditions;
• At least three years of education in a BA/BS degree in natural science, education, or an environmentally-related field;
• Positive, self-motivated, organized and creative individual who can work independently and as a team. Walking Mountains Science Center hires friendly, energetic and professional people.

Location:

Vail/Eagle County, Colorado.

Duration of Positions:

Several positions May 28, 2013 through September 3, 2013.

Compensation:

Housing pluse $175 per week stipend.

To Apply:

Email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to Lara Carlson, Community Programs Director, email address:   larac@walkingmountains.org. Deadline is March 15, 2013.

 For more information about Walking Mountains Science Center please visit our website at www.walkingmountains.org.

 

 Multi-Season Naturalist Internships

Join Walking Mountains Science Center for an unforgettable opportunity to teach about Colorado's Rocky Mountain ecosystem and work with people of all ages. Grow as an environmental educator and interpreter while creating and incredible netweork of contacts for your future.

Responsibilities:

 

Present nature walks or snowshoe tours, interpretive talks, environmental education programs, evening programs, and staff visitor center desks at a state-of-the-art Walking Mountains Science Center exhibit hall and each of our partner locations (US Forest Service – White River National Forest, Vail Nature Center; and Vail Resorts’ Nature Discovery Center) as seasonally required. Training and ongoing professional development are also ongoing components throughout the internship position.

Summer

Naturalists will rotate through a schedule of staffing four nature/visitor centers, guiding hikes for multi-aged groups, developing programs and lessons, presenting interpretive evening programs, teaching environmental education lessons to children in local recreation district day camps, and assisting in on-going Science Center projects.

Fall

Naturalists will primarily staff the visitor center desk in the Walking mountains Science Center exhibit hall, guide hikes for multi-aged groups, contribute to the expansion and development of new family programs, programs for special events, and assisting in on-going Science Center projects.

Winter

Naturalists will rotate through a schedule of staffing our two nature/visitor centers, guiding snowshoe tours for multi-aged groups, developing programs and lessons, presenting interpretive evening and astronomy programs, teaching winter ecology and snow science lessons to youth in Vail’s Ski School program. Additional opportunities include teaching lessons for an afterschool youth program, Ski with a Ranger and Ski with Smokey programs, nature-focused family programs, and assisting in on-going Science Center projects.  

Qualifications:

• Enthusiasm for educating others about the  natural environment and expanding personal knowledge of Rocky Mountain ecology;
• Experience with informal education of children and/or adults;
• Excellent oral communication skills;
• Ability to obtain current First Aid and CPR certifications before summer begins;
• Average to  above average skiing and/or snowboarding skills;
• Interest in working flexible hours (including evenings and weekends);
• Ability to hike and work outdoors in all weather conditions;
• At least three years of education in a BA/BS degree in natural science, education, or an environmentally-related field;
• Positive, self-motivated, organized and creative individual who can work independently and as a team. Walking Mountains Science Center hires friendly, energetic and professional people.

Location:

Vail/Eagle County, Colorado.

Duration of Positions:

Several positions May 28, 2013 to April 16, 2014. Including two weeks of paid vacation October 27-November 11, 2013.

Compensation:

Housing plus $175 per week stipend and a winter ski pass to Vail and Beaver Creek ski areas.

To Apply:

Email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to Lara Carlson, Community Programs Director, email address:   larac@walkingmountains.org. Deadline is March 15, 2013.

 For more information about Walking Mountains Science Center please visit our website at www.walkingmountains.org.

 

Acceptance for Winter Naturalist Internship applications begins on or around August 15th with a closing date of September 24.