About this Opportunity!

Intern, South Platte Park Interpretation

Starting date: May 23, 2023

This position is UNPAID.

Share your passion for nature by planning, researching, preparing and conducting interpretive programs! Assist with summer camps, elementary students, and groups of families and adults in programs like canoeing, night hikes and activities like campfire talks, capturing crawdads or birdwatching. Host visitors in the nature center and practice the care of exhibit animals. Gain skills working with volunteers and develop marketing and interpretive items for your portfolio. May require occasional work on evenings, weekends, holidays or split shifts to take advantage of the best times to be in nature. This is a great entry level experience in natural resources, interpretation, environmental education, and in parks and recreation.

This position is unpaid, but will work with students for college credits. This position is also flexible with schedules and hours. Minimum of 30 hours must be spent on this internship between May and August.  

Our Ideal Candidate

• Has the skills needed to swim in deep or moving water.
• Has the ability to successfully and productively work with minimal supervision and to listen and follow directions/instructions from supervisory staff.
• Will adhere to safe work practices and procedures and follow safety procedures and perform CPR, First Aid or AED if needed.
• Is able to find and capture insects and aquatic invertebrates, and to identify birds, tracks and mammals, astronomic and weather phenomena, or other naturalist skills, or demonstrate interest in learning.
• Will be able to lead groups on hiking trails or demonstrate ability and desire to learn.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, weather events, and special work requests.
• Will communicate clearly and concisely in English both orally and in writing.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be at least eighteen (18) years old and attending school for a Degree in Interpretation or Environmental Communication, natural Resources, Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Education, Communications or a related field from a regionally accredited College or University.
• Experience in customer service, public speaking and working with children preferred. A combination of experience and education may be considered.
• Current certifications in CPR, First Aid, AED or the ability to obtain is required.

The job description above covers the main duties of this position. Please note, as a team member, there may be additional responsibilities that are required to meet ongoing needs of the department.

About Us

Our mission is to foster healthy living through stewardship of the environment, parks, trails, and open space by providing recreational services and programs.

We serve residents in Bow Mar, Columbine Valley, Centennial west of I-25, Littleton, Lone Tree and Sheridan and unincorporated portions of Douglas, Jefferson and Arapahoe counties. We operate four full-service recreation centers, golf courses, outdoor pools and restaurants, two ice centers and miniature golf courses, a botanical garden event center, a BMX track, a sports dome, batting cages, an entertainment center, a hotel and a nature center. In addition, we maintain nearly 3,800 acres of developed and open space land, including 119 multi-purpose athletic fields, more than 100 parks, nearly 80 miles of trails, 60 playgrounds, 56 tennis courts, and the 880-acre South Platte Park.