Intern - Outdoor Youth Corps

This is a part-time position, averaging up to 28 hours a week from late May through early-August. Interviews will be held from April 14th - April 25th.

Summary: Assists community program staff with implementation of community and career educational programs including the Outdoor Youth Corps (OYC) Summer Crew. OYC is a paid workforce and education program for participants ages 16-20 that focuses on exposure to green career paths while also supporting professional development and career readiness. Programs include hands-on projects and educational activities focused on conservation, horticulture, sustainability, and community engagement. The intern will observe and learn about outdoor, experiential, and environmental/sustainability practices through hands-on experiences assisting with with material preparation and program delivery for OYC and other community sustainability education programs. The intern will also assist with projects pertaining to workforce development, stewardship events and college/career readiness. This position will mostly take place outdoors in heat, humid, and possibly rainy conditions in a variety of locations across the St. Louis region. This is a part-time position, averaging up to 28 hours a week from late May through early August.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists Sustainability education staff with the implementation of the Outdoor Youth Corps Summer Crew program which may include group facilitation, leading various activities, and teaching lesson plans, etc.
• Participates in the program’s direct delivery of educational activities to program participants including youth and young adults ages 16-20 and communicating with community partners.
• Develop, plan, and implement a final project reflective of internship goals and experience with the Outdoor Youth Corps program.
• Assist in the preparation of all program materials, tools, and food.
• Actively participates in green job education, teambuilding, and Outdoor Youth Corps stewardship projects.
• Work with Garden staff to ensure all health and safety protocols for program participants are followed.
• Work cohesively as a team with other staff, interns, and Outdoor Youth Corps program participants.
• Demonstrate highest level of professional and ethical conduct while working with Garden staff, Outdoor Youth Corp program participants, and program partners.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and others
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Core Competencies

• Communication – Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.
• Collaboration – Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.
• Accountability – Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues’ concerns.
• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision making process; Includes appropriate people in making decisions.
• Stewardship – Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours.
  
  

Qualifications/Experience:

• Interest in working in the fields of education, conservation, horticulture, sustainably, and/or community engagement.
• Previous experience with Outdoor Youth Corps is preferred.
• Basic understanding of sustainability practices and principles preferred.
• Group leadership and problem-solving experience.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Ability to work with diverse participants ages 16-20.
• Flexible Hours
• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.
  
  

Education:

• H.S. diploma or equivalent by start of internship. Some college coursework with an emphasis in Education, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Life Sciences or related field preferred.
• An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.
  
  

Language Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral/written).
  
  

Mathematical Skills:

• H.S. basic math aptitude; requires proficient ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals; etc.
  
  

Reasoning Ability:

• Requires ability to exercise judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.
  
  

Computer Skills:

• Proficient Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., Powerpoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook).
• Comfortable with virtual meeting platforms including TEAMS and Zoom.
  
  

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• None.
  
  

Physical Demands:

• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., climb ladders, etc.).
• Able to lift up to (30) pounds (i.e., load, unload and move supplies and equipment).
• Must be able to work in high heat/humidity and other summer weather conditions.
• Ability to stand and move about entire facility, and/or project sites, for extended periods of time - 80% or more of the workday is standing on feet (e.g., extensive standing, walking, reaching and stooping).
  
  

Work Environment:

• Climate controlled buildings.
• Shared office space.
• Work outdoors in temperatures of (100°F or more), humid conditions, as well as temperatures below 0°F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions and some uncomfortable conditions (i.e. wet, mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, etc.) as needed.
  
  

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:

• Garden Employees, Volunteers, Guests
• Community Partners
• Regional educators
• Outdoor Youth Corps Participants
  
  

Supervisor (title not person):

Community Programs Supervisor