Introduction:

This position is located in the Outreach and Education Branch, Division of Interpretation, Olympic National Park. This position is supervised by the Outreach and Education Specialist and is stationed at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles, WA.

Olympic National Park protects nearly one million acres of glacier capped mountains, wild Pacific coast and magnificent stands of old-growth forests, including temperate rain forests. About 95% of the park is designated wilderness, which further protects these diverse and spectacular ecosystems.

Olympic is also known for its biological diversity. Isolated for eons by glacial ice, and later the waters of Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Peninsula has developed its own distinct array of plants and animals. Eight kinds of plants and 15 kinds of animals are found on the peninsula but nowhere else on Earth.

The selected applicant will work with students, teachers, and community members – facilitating their connections to the remarkable resources protected within Olympic National Park.

Major Duties:

Two interns will work with the Outreach and Education Specialist delivering environmental education programs for school children. The interns will also work at various community events staffing the park’s exhibit booth and answering questions about Olympic National Park. Depending on the interests and abilities of the selected candidate there are opportunities to work on various projects – including website work, multi-media presentations, etc.

Environmental education programs offered at Olympic National Park include on-site and off-site programs. The North Olympic Watershed program (N.O.W. Science) is presented in partnership with the Feiro Marine Life Center, Dungeness River Audubon Center, and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Fourth graders from the Crescent, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, and Sequim school districts spend the day exploring the health of the Peabody Creek watershed. The intern will be integrated into the teaching of this program – teaching watershed concepts, water quality measurements and data collection techniques. Additional field trips on plants, insects, geology, Elwha River Restoration, and ecosystems are offered to classes at varying grade levels on an irregular schedule.

Ecosystem Olympic is a program for fourth graders and third graders on the Olympic Peninsula. Each spring rangers from Olympic National Park visit every fourth grade class (3rd grade classes in Port Angeles) on the peninsula to introduce students to the three major ecosystems found in their backyard. Ecosystem Explorations is a follow up field trip for classes that participate in the Ecosystem Olympic classroom program. In the explorations program classes visit one of the ecosystems introduced during the classroom visit for a hands-on exploration or ecosystem concepts. The intern will assist and then present these program to classes on the peninsula.

The intern will also assist at local community events and festivals. These may include events such as the Kiwanis Kids Fest, Sequim Irrigation Festival, Juan de Fuca Festival, Lavender Festival, Clallam County Fair, and other smaller community events. At these events the intern will staff the park’s exhibit, answering questions about the park and Elwha River Restoration.

Requirements:

  • The successful candidate must possess a valid state driver’s license and be able to pass a background investigation.
  • The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school with a biological science, physical science, natural resource management, or education related major.
  • The candidate will be required to work some nights and weekends.
  • Duties are performed inside and outside in a variety of weather conditions. The work is generally not physically demanding, but can require standing for long periods of time and walking short distances over uneven and rough terrain. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds in order to assist in setting up the park’s outreach exhibits.

Terms of Employment:

Two AmeriCorps members will complete a term of service (length dependent on commitment of hours), starting Spring 2019. Starting date is negotiable to accommodate student schedules. Time commitment is a minimum of 900 hours.

Program Benefits:

$7541.82 living allowance dispersed on a monthly basis, a $2,960 education award upon completion of the 900 hours of service and/or position requirements. The living allowance and education award are taxable. The member will also have $800 to cover the cost of relocation and/or applicable trainings. Members are responsible for providing their own housing and food. Service eligibility is contingent upon the results of a criminal and driving background check.

Training:

  • Training includes on-the-job training in the duties of park ranger (interpretation), the resources of Olympic National Park, and on curriculum-based education programs.
  • Free on-line training from a variety of sources will be available to the intern.
  • Training opportunities, job shadowing, etc. with other work groups can be arranged based on intern interest and availability of park staff.

To Apply

Apply online at conservationintern.org. Contact Andrew Tagge, Internship Coordinator AndrewT@nwyouthcorps.org if you have any questions. Additional program information can be found at www.nwyouthcorps.org. Additional program information can be found at http://www.nwyouthcorps.org/m/

The member will not engage in any prohibited activities as stated in the Member Service Agreement.