INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Irvine offers internships for both high school and college-age students looking to gain experience, earn credit hours, and contribute to a mission-based organization focused on education and the environment. Irvine interns can work in a variety of capacities across our organization including early childhood education, animal care, grounds and maintenance, Summer Nature Camp, and special events.
Join a dedicated team of professionals who are passionate about nature, animals, and education. Fill out an ONLINE APPLICATION and the Manager of Volunteer Services will contact you for an interview.
January 2024- August 2024
Description: Assist the Managers of Nature Camps and School Programs with leading educational programs for school-aged students and the reclassification and maintenance of our artifact/taxidermy collection. Schedule: Monday-Friday, Minimum 8hrs/week
Responsibilities:
- Gain introductory knowledge of library/archives/museum fields.
- Learn and implement best practice and concepts for collections of natural materials and taxidermy.
- Trained to implement science-based lesson plans and will learn local natural history, trailside activities, and teaching techniques.
- Assist with hands-on, outdoor environmental education programs for school-aged children, and indoor programs at local schools. (January – May)
- Other general duties include assisting with Nature Camps which includes live animal care and presentations, leading trail hikes and camper supervision. (June – August)
Desired Qualifications:
- Applicants must be interested in natural sciences, environmental science, science education, outdoor recreation, or related fields. Some educational background in these areas preferred.
- Able to both collaborate with a team and work independently.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Familiarity with (or enthusiasm to learn) archival/ collection maintenance.
- Motivated, self-starter; flexibility and willingness to shift gears, as needed.
January 2, 2024- May 2024
Description:
- Serve as a Teaching Aide in The Nature Preschool with 2 teachers and 12-14 students (3-5 years old) as they engage in their outdoor program. Schedule: Tuesday & Thursday 8:30am-12:30pm OR Tuesday & Thursday 8:30am-2:30pm
Responsibilities:
- Help facilitate & prepare nature-based play and learning
- Model appropriate enthusiasm for the outdoors, conflict resolution, and desired pro-social skills
- Engage with small groups of children in activities
- Provide additional hands-on support during eating and cleaning up times
- Assist with set up and clean up
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience or strong interest in working with preschool aged children
- Flexibility and willingness to jump into activities
- Comfort and enjoyment being outdoors in all weather
- Strong communication skills
- Willingness to get messy
- Ability to pass a background check (if over 18)
May- August 2024
Description: Assist the Animal Care Manager and Coordinator with the daily care and maintenance of the animals and the exhibits they inhabit. Schedule: Flexible Hours
Responsibilities:
- Feed animals and assess their wellbeing daily
- Check exhibits and maintain lighting, heat lamps, and aquarium filters
- Assist staff with live animal handling and occasional medical care
- Keep exhibit hall clean and presentable to visitors
- Educate visitors in the exhibit hall
Qualifications:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Prior animal handling experience
- Willingness to get dirty
- Comfort handling animals and their food
- Work well with others
- Friendly, professional manner
- Demonstrate initiative and work independently once trained
- Clear and consistent communication
- Ability to pass a background check (if over 18)
September 2023-May 2024
Description: Assist with hands-on, outdoor environmental education programs for school-aged children at local elementary schools. All programs take place within 25 miles of Irvine Nature Center. Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 2:00-6:00pm
Responsibilities:
- Help plan and implement enrichment activities and recreational activities
- Assist with classroom management and lesson implementation
- Help prepare materials for each lesson
Desired Qualifications:
- Strong interest in natural sciences, environmental and scientific education, outdoor recreation, or related fields
- Work experience with children
- Enthusiasm for and curiosity about the natural world
- Experience or strong interest in working with preschool aged children
- Excellent communication skills
- Positive attitude and professional demeanor
- Reliable transportation
- Ability to pass a background check (if over 18)
September 2023-May 2024
Description: Assess where food waste is occurring at Irvine, then develop and help implement waste reduction strategies. Schedule: Monday-Friday, Minimum 8hrs/week
Responsibilities:
- Upkeep and upgrade Irvine’s current compost bins
- Implement a kitchen compost plan
- Create Interpretive signage for compost area and kitchen
- Develop a short lesson plan on food waste for visiting school groups
- Work with local company to supply surplus produce for animal care use
Desired Qualifications:
- Self-motivated and able to work independently
- Able to convey information to groups of different ages effectively and enthusiastically
- Background knowledge about impacts of climate change preferred
- Ability to pass a background check (if over 18)
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
Irvine Nature Center is a non-profit educational organization that offers hundreds of programs of environmental studies and natural science to children and adults of the greater Baltimore area. As the largest independent non-profit nature center in the region and a leader in environmental education our mission is to educate and inspire current and future generations to explore, respect and protect nature. Located on 211-acres in Owings Mills, Maryland, Irvine is the home to over 50 animal ambassadors and serves families in The Nature Preschool, Earth Friends Outdoors Homeschool, and hundreds of school groups with fieldtrips and in-school events. In addition to its educational programming, Irvine has an interactive exhibit hall and hiking trails and is available for special event rentals.
Irvine is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
