Paid Internship - Green Career Pathways Intern

The Urban Ecology Center hires nearly 30 people annually for our Green Career Pathways summer employment & internship experience. Our model of creating neighborhood-based environmental education centers energizes urban public natural areas. Located in vibrant public green spaces in Milwaukee, our fast-growing organization serves over 200,000 people of all ages annually.  Our Green Career Pathways efforts are providing people with an immersive Green Career experience while having a significant impact on our mission.  

The UEC’s People & Culture Department will hire (1) Green Career Pathways intern for the summer of 2024.  Application review will begin on February 26th; candidates are encouraged to apply by that date.  The interview cycle should conclude no later than March 18th. 

Position Summary:  As the Green Career Pathway Intern, you will assist with refining and implementing the GCP program with a primary focus on our High School Outdoor Leader internship program. The GCP program engages urban youth and young adults in studies of ecology, environmental justice, leadership, job readiness, and practices of equity, dignity, and justice. This highly collaborative position works closely with Green Career Pathway Coordinator to meet program goals.

Serving as a co-lead and mentor for our High School Interns, this position includes co-leading our summer trip to the Grand Tetons and YellowStone National Park

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Green Career Program Design

• Assist with planning to implement educational strategies to meet GCP outcomes of environmental literacy, job readiness, leadership and social responsibility
• Assist in refining curricula for programs such as the High School Outdoor Leader internship
• Work with the evaluation coordinator to review systems that measure, track and improve the effectiveness of GCP programs

 Green Career Program Implementation

• Collaborating with the GCP Manager to teach ecology, team-building, leadership, outdoor recreation, public speaking, customer service, job-readiness and equity, dignity and justice skills
• Assist GCP Manager in planning and leading travel experiences for high school outdoor leaders, such as college visits, Teton Science School trips, and northern Wisconsin trips.
• Responsible for assisting with high school intern onboarding and training
• Generate interest and excitement for GCP by collecting and sharing written, video and verbal success stories, in coordination with the marketing team
• Coach, support, and mentor high school outdoor leaders
• Assist GCP Manager with planning graduation celebrations for youth completing their internships

Green Career Program Alumni Relations

• Maintain and update alumni contact information
• Contribute ideas to develop post-internship networking and support systems; this may include a job board for alumni, social media alumni platforms, or alumni mentoring programs

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (Click here for word bank)

Skills and Abilities

• Conflict Management: you can navigate interpersonal challenges with a high degree of empathy and a commitment to resolution.
• Efficient: You have strong attention to detail, are self-motivated, and are able to multitask. You are able to prioritize your work based on importance and urgency.
• Reliability and Agency: You build trust and exercise good judgment by meeting deadlines, delivering on commitments, prioritizing needs, and making considered and effective decisions.
• Collaboration: You have a strong ability to collaborate and share responsibilities with peers while providing guidance on organizational processes.
• Growth Mindset: You have a demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and incorporating feedback; you are optimistic about future opportunities. 
• A strong ability to establish rapport and engage with diverse, urban youth is highly recommended.
• Savvy utilization of social media and the Google Suite platform.
• Strong cultural competency and commitment to equity, dignity, and justice.
• Affinity to the Urban Ecology Center's mission, vision, and values.

Experience, Education, and Certifications

• 1-2 years of experience engaging with youth in a community or educational setting; designing and/or teaching programs for middle or high school youth in environmental education, land stewardship, ecology, outdoor recreation, youth development, job readiness, and/or social justice.
• High school diploma or equivalent is required. 

OUR SUMMER EMPLOYMENT & INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

• Our summer employment term runs from June 3rd to August 23rd, 2024. 
• You will attend training for the first two weeks of your experience, with opportunities for further learning & development throughout the summer. We host both a Summer Kickoff event and an End of Summer Celebration.
• You may have the opportunity to earn additional money by working as an attendant at our events (weddings, rentals, other parties, etc.)
• We nurture an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative workplace culture. 
• You will have the ability to attend all UEC events or programs at a low or no cost. Children of employees attend programming, including summer camps, at reduced rates.
• Interns are compensated a $1,100 bi-weekly salary and allotted 3 days (24 hours) of PTO for planned vacation or sick days.

WORKING CONDITIONS, LOCATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Condition & Location: Open office workspace with an active team atmosphere. Using shared workspaces at all three UEC locations.
• Physical Requirements: Sitting for prolonged periods, typing on a computer keyboard, lifting objects of 25 pounds or less
• Equipment Used: Computer equipment, fundraising software, HRIS, Google software, tools
• Schedule: Standard business hours with occasional evening and weekend events

The Urban Ecology Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to make all personnel decisions without discriminating on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national or ethnic origin, and any other protected status.