Seeking year-long curriculum-based education intern

Mount Rainier's education program is seeking a motivated individual to fill a year-long Student Conservation Association internship, starting immediately. A complete description of the position follows. Apply online on the SCA website, and also give Education Program Manager Anne Doherty a call at 360-569-6039. This is a rare position that is both long-term and fully-funded, so spread the word and send in those applications!

Education Program Intern Position Code : 7156

Mount Rainier National Park is a 235,000-acre park in Washington state containing rugged mountainous terrain, pristine lakes, rivers and streams, ecological zones ranging from forested lowlands to alpine tundra and an active volcano with the largest single-peak glacial system in the contiguous United States. It is also the fifth oldest national park and includes outstanding examples of park rustic architecture and early park master planning. Mount Rainier has an international Sister Mountain relationship with Mount Fuji in Japan.

The Park’s Curriculum-Based Education Program serves K-University level teachers and their students visiting the park and Education Center on field trips. We also offer a variety of professional development opportunities for teachers, including single to multi-day curriculum-based and review workshops, presentations at professional education conferences and events, and in Summer 2008 we are piloting a Teacher-Ranger-Teacher (TRT) Program to assist with curriculum development for the new, multi-year, international Mount Rainier-Mount Fuji Sister Mountain Curriculum Project & Teacher Exchange Workshop Program.

The Intern will work alongside the TRTs and Park Education Staff to research and develop international interdisciplinary middle school curriculum about Mount Rainier and Mount Fuji.

Develop and present curriculum-based education programming, in the field and in the new Education Center; help research and develop new Education Center programs; help create additional educational materials as needed or assigned; assist with any teacher workshops scheduled to begin during that time. Primary education program topics include geology of Mount Rainier (volcanology, glaciers), life zones ecology (plant and animal adaptations), old growth/lowland forest, upland forest, subalpine zones, National Park Service Mission and Careers, park history, sustainable design of the Education Center, current park research, Leave No Trace, service learning projects, and winter ecology (depending on season of internship).

Position Type: Env Ed - Environmental Education

Required: Must have a valid driver's license to perform duties or drive site vehicle.

What skills are required for this position?
Valid driver's license; ability and willingness to undergo a required criminal history background check; experience or knowledge in curriculum - based education programming for a broad range of ages; ability to lead programs in the classroom and in the field; ability to share work and living space amicably.

A personal vehicle is required since there is no public transportation in this remote area. However, the Intern will live within walking distance of Education Center. A government vehicle is provided for work-related travel.

What skills are desired for this position?
First aid/CPR certification, especially in remote field locations; knowledge of geology, Pacific Northwest ecosystems, winter ecology and National Park Service mission; computer and web design skills; knowledge of minimum impact principles and practices; hiking, snowshoeing and backpacking experience.

Training Provided:
Various on-the-job training opportunities will be available, depending on workload, position needs, Intern’s personal interest, and budget constraints. These may include: attending and presenting at professional education conferences and events, interpretation workshops, job shadow and career exploration opportunities, grant research and writing, CPR/First Aid, and others (types and frequency of training opportunities vary from season to season and year to year). There will be a basic level of safety, park and program policies and protocol, computer security, and winter training, including snowshoe walks.

Educational/Recreational Opportunities:
Opportunity to help research and write grant proposals. (See Educational and Training Opportunities.)

On personal time, there are many miles of roads and trails in and around the park to explore. The park is also adjacent to a variety of other agency-managed public lands that offer a variety of recreational opportunities, including skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, etc. There are also many different educational opportunities related to history, wildlife, museums, etc. between ½-2 hours’ driving time away in the many small towns, cities, and major metropolitan areas of Tacoma and Seattle.