Intern - Parks

Salary: $17.00 Hourly
Location : Rochester, MN
Job Type: Provisional Full-Time
Job Number: SW C02-17-2024 RP
Department: Parks
Opening Date: 02/17/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Hours of Work: Varying
Union: Employee's Association
Olmsted County has earned the 2023 Best Places to Work - Southeast Minnesota designation.
Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience
College student pursuing a degree in natural sciences, interpretation, education, recreation, Zoology, biology, or related field.
This internship does require evening and weekend hours.
Regular and reliable attendance is a necessary component of job/position. Individuals required to use County vehicles and equipment must have a valid driver's license and be free of any major traffic violations for the last three (3) years.
Nature of Work
Olmsted County Parks has internship opportunities at both Chester Woods and Oxbow Park. These internships are meant to introduce you to several aspects of the parks, such as leading public and school programs, creating interpretive signage, the daily husbandry of native Minnesota wild animals and not to mention learning the day-to-day operations and management of regional parks.
Examples of Work
Chester Woods Park

• Lead nature walks/hikes and programs for all ages
• Keep interpretive posters, signage, and interpretive labels current
• Weekly checks on the natural playscape
• Assist in resource management of park lands including invasive species removal
• Assist with watercraft rental station
• Assist staff in the daily upkeep and maintenance needed throughout the park
• Assist in posting to park social media accounts
• Inspecting watercraft for AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species)

Oxbow Park

• Zoo animal care - diet prep, daily feeding, cleaning, animal enrichment, exhibit maintenance
• Present zoo animal and nature education programs to school-age groups and the general public
• Participate in community science projects conducted at the park
• Promote the park and zoo as a Nature Center attendant as well as in the community during outreach programs
• Participate in resource management of park lands, including invasive species removal, as well as other park maintenance
• Create an individual internship capstone project to better the park and provide the intern with new skills and knowledge, under supervision of park staff

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge of environmental science.
• Skill in written and verbal communication.
• Skill in organization and self-motivation.
• Ability to accept responsibility.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to exercise some independent judgment and to meet deadlines.
• Ability to use office equipment required for performing the job.
• Ability to use a variety of hand tools.
• Ability to assist with a variety of programs and tasks.

Persons with disabilities: the above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.
Physical Demands and Work Environment: In compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the Physical and Environmental Demands:
Function:
24% or Less
25% - 49%
50%-74%
75% or more
Office environment
X
Outdoors environment
X
Lab/Shop environment
X
In vehicle/operating equipment
X
Exposure to needle sticks / sharps exposure
X
Exposure to human blood, pathogens, body fluids
X
Exposure to hazardous materials / chemicals / toxic or caustic chemicals
X
Exposure to atmospheric conditions
X
Exposure to weather
X
Exposure to extreme heat/cold, wet and/or humid
X
Exposure to noise, vibration, electrical current
X
Animal handling
X
Sitting, standing, walking
X
Reaching, pulling, climbing, crouching, kneeling, stooping, balancing, crawling, handling, feeling
X
Pushing up to 50 pounds
X
Lifting up to 50 pounds
X
Repetitive hand/foot movements
X
Typing / data entry
X
Talking, hearing
X
Operate vehicle and heavy equipment
X
Close, distance and color vision, field of vision
X
Accommodation (bring object into sharp focus)
X
Sedentary (exert up to 10 pounds of force)
X
Light effort (exert up to 20 pounds of force)
X
Medium effort (exert up to 50 pounds of force)
X
Proximity to moving, mechanical parts
X
An Equal Opportunity Employer
No benefits for positions less than one year duration and less than .50 full-time equivalency (FTE).
01
I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education, Work Experience, Certificates and Licenses, and Supplemental Questions sections of my application. This includes a detailed description of all work experience that I feel qualifies me for the job I am seeking. I also understand that I may not submit resumes in lieu of filling out the application or answering the Supplemental Questions.

• I have read the above statement and understand that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected or my receiving a lower examination score which may make me ineligible for further consideration in this recruitment process.

02
You must meet the minimum qualifications to be considered for the Intern - Parks position. Please select the answer that best describes your education and experience.

• College student pursuing a degree in natural sciences, interpretation, education, recreation, Zoology, biology, or related field.
• None of the above.

Required Question