Nature Education Internship

Position:                                        Nature Education Intern

Date Prepared:                             January 2013

Updated:                                         —

Immediate Supervisor(s):         Conservation Education Associate

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The Izaak Walton League of America, founded in 1922, protects and conserves our shared heritage of wildlife, clean air and water, forests, and soils.  Our members and staff combine hands-on conservation action, policy work with legislatures and resource agencies, and public education to pursue our conservation goals at the local, state, and national levels.  As a strong, responsible voice representing hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationists, we occupy a special niche in the conservation community.

Start Date: Immediately

Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland

General Description: Responsible for leading nature exploration classes with pre-school age and elementary school students at the League’s facility in Gaithersburg, Maryland and/or at Montgomery County preschools and elementary schools.

Qualifications:

• Background, training, and/or strong interest in environmental education, early childhood education, and/or ecology
• Interest in, comfort with, and knowledge of the natural world
• Demonstrated experience working with children, particularly in an outdoor setting
• Enthusiasm for learning and sharing
• Good interpersonal skills and experience working with the public
• Ability to work independently
• Must have access to reliable transportation since classes are often held offsite (travel expenses reimbursed)
• Must pass background check

Details:

• Preference given to students planning to enter an environmental field or those who hope to teach environmental and/or science topics or elementary school-age students
• Hours: Classes are usually held Monday–Friday, 9am to 3pm during the school year with occasional weekend classes. Hours are flexible, however preference will be given to candidates who will commit at least 2 days a week to teaching classes during these hours. Summer hours are more flexible. 
• Tiny Ikes: In the spring and summer, we conduct nature exploration classes for preschool-aged children (2 to 5 years old) and their parents at our facility in Gaithersburg and at Montgomery County Public School Pre-K and Head Start classrooms.  The intern will engage the students in meaningful learning activities using informal teaching methods, manage groups in an outdoor setting, and convey information to students in an effective and appropriate way outdoors.
• After-School Club: For 8 weeks in April and May, we will conduct an hour-long after-school nature exploration class once a week at a local elementary school.  The intern will be responsible for assisting in developing lesson plans for these classes, organizing materials, and leading classes.
• School Credit: If the applicant is interested in receiving school credit for the internship, the League will work with the applicant to facilitate such credit.

What We Do For You: You will walk away from this internship with experience working with groups of children between pre-kindergarten and 5th grade. We will give you the opportunity to self-direct a project with staff oversight, develop lesson plans, and help grow and develop our nature education classes. Through experience, knowledge, and action, you will be prepared for future work in childhood environmental education and related fields.

How to Apply:  Please send cover letter and resume with a description of qualifications to Rebecca Wadler, Conservation Education Associate, at rwadler@iwla.org.