Seeds to Trees College Intern, Spring

POSITION SUMMARY

City Parks Foundation seeks up to three college interns to work during the school year within our Seeds to Trees Program. The mission of Seeds to Trees is to educate elementary and middle school students about urban ecology, forest ecology, marine ecology, parks stewardship and conservation using parks as an outdoor classroom. This program blends hands-on classroom sessions and outdoor field experiences in parks or gardens, and offers professional development for partner teachers.

The College Intern will assist Seeds to Trees staff to implement the program from mid-March - June, starting in the classroom and ending with field experiences.  As part of this opportunity, the intern will be guided and instructed in the facilitation and administration of experiential, environmental STEM programs primarily in parks and with at least one opportunity to visit a school classroom. The Seeds to Trees College Intern reports to the Senior Manager, School Partnerships and works closely with the Seeds to Trees Program Manager and part-time Educators.

COMPENSATION:  $20 per hour (12-16 hours per week)

REQUIREMENTS 

• Interns will work with the Seeds to Trees Program Staff to implement our environmental education program in NYC Parks and Schools
• Internships will begin in mid-March and end in June
• Interns will work 12 - 16 hours per week 
• Interns must have availability to work at least 2-3 weekdays between 9am and 3pm
• Interns will assist with the facilitation of Seeds to Trees activities mostly in the field and sometimes in the classroom
• Occasionally provide logistical support and complete general administrative duties, such as lesson preparation, living collection care and other related tasks as needed
• Support the gathering of digital materials and anecdotes for marketing purposes
• Assist with data collection and recordkeeping 
• Help transport, maintain and store program gear

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Enrollment in a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Environmental Education/Science, Environmental Studies, or in a related field
• Knowledge of/Experience in Environmental Science and Education a plus
• Commitment to helping middle and elementary school students develop an interest in Environmental Science and NYC Parks through positive attitude and role modeling
• Desire to learn through working closely with urban, underserved youth 
• Commitment to punctuality and attendance
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team is essential
• Willingness to work outdoors

ABOUT CITY PARKS FOUNDATION

At City Parks Foundation (CPF), we are dedicated to invigorating and transforming New York City parks into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban life through arts, environmental education, sports, and community building programs for all New Yorkers. Our ethos is simple: we believe thriving parks mean thriving communities.

Community engagement includes Partnerships for Parks, a public-private program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks, which supports and champions a growing network of community leaders who care and advocate for the transformation of our neighborhood parks and the Parks and Open Space Partners-NYC coalition of conservancies and alliances. We also administer the NYC Green Fund, a regranting program for parks and open space nonprofits and grassroots organizations.

We produce SummerStage, the iconic free, outdoor performing arts festival in NYC, presenting world-class artists from across the globe and our own neighborhoods on our mainstage in Central Park and in local parks in all five boroughs, and our Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre and roving PuppetMobile present marionette puppet theater throughout New York City.

We connect youngsters to nature in the urban environment through progressive, experiential teaching. Using parks as classrooms, we provide learning experiences and hands-on activities in urban forests, coastal areas, and gardens.

Free golf, tennis, track & field, soccer, and fitness programs bring high-quality instruction and equipment into areas where few organized athletic opportunities exist. We offer leveled training, year-round scholarship coaching, and special pro events.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. City Parks Foundation does not offer visa sponsorship.