Background
This paid internship is with the Storm and Surface Water Utility Environmental Services Section. The Utility is involved in many types of public education and outreach to enhance wildlife and aquatic habitat associated with critical areas within the City of Olympia. The City is seeking an intern to provide administrative and organizational support to the Utility’s stormwater habitat education and outreach programs. The intern will assist the Senior Program Specialist with the pilot program for wildlife and aquatic habitat enhancement/stewardship called OlyWild.
This paid intern position is for a student enrolled in college or college-vocational equivalent coursework. Term of employment is approximately May 1, 2016 through October 31, 2016.
Learning objectives include:
- Gain experience working for a storm and surface water utility on public involvement and education programs.
- Develop technical and plain-talk writing skills within a municipal utility setting.
- Obtain hands-on experience in developing and implementing outreach/education materials into print and social media.
- Gain experience planning and coordinating educational workshops.
- Gain experience developing and implementing wildlife enhancement plans and collaborating with landowners and City staff.
Job Responsibilities
Working with the Senior Program Specialist, the intern will perform activities such as:
- Assist in designing and implementing the OlyWild backyard habitat program.
- Set up landowner meetings and conduct on site habitat evaluations for participating property owners.
- Develop landscape designs/habitat enhancement recommendations with wildlife enhancement and aquatic habitat stewardship. Collaborate with participating property owners.
- Research and coordinate with local businesses to offer discounts/rebates for participating landowners of OlyWild backyard habitat program.
- Coordinate and communicate (e.g., email, phone) with interested landowners to promote and implement the OlyWild program.
- Assist with development of outreach materials for OlyWild participants.
- Provide one-on-one and group assistance with neighborhood trainings for OlyWild participants.
- Update OlyWild Program social media and email.
- Provide other assistance as needed with Storm and Surface Water Utility outreach programs. This includes assisting with Stream Team Citizen Monitoring and other City of Olympia habitat related programs. Tasks may include:
- Conducting forage fish surveys
- Leading/assisting with planting and weed removal projects
- Data input and management.
- Assist with event planning and implementation.
- Contribute to a work environment that promotes respect, collaboration, innovation and excellence.
Knowledge and Experience: includes work, volunteer and academic experience
- Background or experience in wildlife and/or habitat management or related field
- Background or experience in botany
- Background and /or experience in landscape design (not required, but a plus)
- Hands on experience with gardening or restoration planting
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills and/or experience working with the public
- Experience or ability to assist with event planning and implementation
- Experience working as part of a team and establishing effective positive working relations
- Fast learner, able to work independently, multi-task and prioritize, complete tasks on time and produce quality, detail-oriented work
- Basic GIS experience (not required, but a plus)
- Experience communicating effectively both orally and in writing
- Ability to keep organized records
- Experience working with event registration and sign-in tables
- Proficient at formatting and proofreading documents in a variety of printed material
- Able to provide exceptional customer service to volunteers and the general public
- Strong computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Adobe Acrobat Pro)
- Valid Driver’s License
Academic coursework in the following disciplines would be useful for this position:
- Wildlife management
- Zoology
- Botany
- Biology/Environmental Science or Studies
- Horticulture/Landscape design
- Ecology (wetlands, streams, wildlife)
Salary and Schedule:
This paid internship requires that the student is currently enrolled in college or equivalent coursework. Work hours are 19 hours per week during school and 40 hours per week during school breaks and summer. Work hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. are somewhat flexible. The position will most likely be a Tuesday-Saturday schedule with occasional evening work as required for events and homeowner contact. This position will not be eligible to receive benefits such as health insurance, paid sick or vacation, or paid holidays.
To Apply
- Along with your electronic application, please submit a resume, cover letter (no more than 2 pages long on how you meet the requirements in the Knowledge and Experience section listed above), supplemental questions, and a writing sample (i.e. research paper, essay, etc).
- To be considered for the first round of interviews, please submit application materials by 5 pm March 31, 2016.
If you have questions about the position and/or requirements, please contact Michelle Stevie, Sr. Program Specialist, at (360) 753-8336 or via email at mstevie@ci.olympia.wa.us. |
