Wild Indigo Nature Explorer

The National Audubon Society is seeking a Wild Indigo Nature Explorer intern in Chicago, IL, to assist with environmental education programs in local parks and youth centers. The role involves learning to lead nature exploration activities, teaching about local ecology, and engaging communities in conservation efforts. Interns will develop skills in research, teaching, and public speaking while promoting environmental advocacy. Compensation is $15/hour.
Position Summary

Do you want to work on meaningful and impactful environmental education programs? Are you looking for an internship that makes a difference in conservation? If this sounds exciting, the National Audubon Society’s internship may be great for you.

The Wild Indigo Explorer will work with the Milwaukee Wild Indigo Coordinator to implement nature exploration efforts in several of Milwaukee’s parks and youth centers. The goal of the explorers is to teach them the work of the coordinator and allow them to engage with nature in new ways, this time focused on several ideas around environmental advocacy. The Explorers will then take what they have learned to teach others in their communities as they continue to engage with their local natural areas.

This is an onsite role based in the Audubon Great Lakes – State Office – COA Goldin Center, and Havenwoods State Forest Nature Center.

Compensation:

$15.00 / hour

Additional Job Description

Essential Functions

Intern Responsibilities and Learning Objectives
During the internship, you will work with the staff to:
• Learn and assist with weekly lesson plans for programming with JR. Explorers
• Become familiar with leading programming in local parks.
• Explore different careers within the conservation field.
• Learn about and implement stewardship efforts in local parks.
• Lead exploration of local parks
• Learn and program around local birds
• Learn and program around local wetlands
• Learn and program around local plants
• Learn about and use digital exploration apps
• Learn and understand the connection between bird and people
• Explore the therapeutic components of nature.
• Collaborate on storytelling and documenting experience.
• Show commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

Interns will gain experience and knowledge in the following:
• Growing skills in research and teaching skills about local natural history (specifically bird identification, plant identification, and waterway identification)
• Leading and co-leading small groups of youth and adults through seasonal programs
• Planning and coordinating public activities and events in an outdoor setting
• Connecting kids with nature through inquiry-based learning, role-modeling interest, and empathy toward all living things
• Planning and coordinating public activities and events in an outdoor setting
• Developing effective community and team building skills (including improved public speaking, general communication, and conflict resolution skills)
• Building awareness about different career paths within conservation, environmental advocacy, and the many ways they can get involved

Qualifications and Experience
• Must be 16 to 20 years of age
• Must be willing to explore nature
• Must be willing to work with other young people
• Work permits may be required for candidates under 18 years of age as a condition of employment.

EEO Statement

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

Accessibility Statement

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.