Summer Environmental Education Intern

Reports to: education Program Director

Job Status: Seasonal Intern, 24 hours per week

Compensation: $1,870 stipend, qualifies for credit at the university level

Location: Boulder, CO

How to apply:

Application/staff/App”>Follow this link to fill out an online application

Check out our Internship Digital Booklet!

Growing Gardens’ mission is to cultivate community through regenerative urban agriculture. Our programs empower people of all ages, income levels, and abilities by connecting them with their local food system, each other, and the environment.  

Our organization values the diverse skills and individuals that come together to create a thriving community and workplace. We are committed to the work we do, and bring our best selves each day, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously, have fun, and enjoy the process of doing good in our community.  We take care of each other and put people at the center of everything we do.

Summer Season Environmental Education Interns gain incredible hands-on experience teaching and learning in our programs as they develop essential skills for environmental education. Environmental Educators improve their teaching techniques through training, practice, reflection, and feedback. Summer Environmental Educators spend most of their time directly teaching in the Children’s Peace Garden programs such as field trips and summer camp.

Environmental Education Intern Duties

• Teach the following topics to school age groups: plant life cycles, planting and garden care, insects, pollination, honeybees, composting, animal husbandry, healthy eating and much more!
• Lead Field Trips in the Children’s Peace Garden independently and with a co-teacher, with support and feedback from the Education staff.
• Assist with Peace Garden and Goats and Gardens Summer Camp.
• Attend intern trainings as assigned throughout the internship.
• Act as a responsible, positive role model for all youth participants.
• Assist Education staff with administration tasks.

Knowledge and Skills the Intern Will Develop

• Teaching in a farm-based setting including effective teaching techniques, group management strategies, and age-appropriate teaching/learning.
• Strong background knowledge in the following topics: plant life cycles, planting and garden care, insects, pollination, honeybees, composting, animal husbandry, healthy eating and more.
• Effective communication strategies.
• Working effectively in a dynamic team environment.
• Evaluating programs through formal processes.
• Intern will receive training on Ages & Stages, Love and Logic, Working with Neurodivergent children, Cultivating Community, Group Management, and so much more!
• Animal husbandry through assisting with Growing Gardens’ Goats and Gardens Summer Camp.

Structure of Internship

• Internship duration is May 11th – August 7th, 206
• Total stipend amount is $1,870, half paid in June, the other half paid at the end of the internship.
• This internship qualifies for credit at the university level.
• Intern must attend orientation on Monday, May 11th from 8:30AM-1:00PM.
• Intern position is 24 hours per week.  Note: hours may vary between weeks. The most effective schedule for both intern and Growing Gardens is any 4 days per week, Tuesday – Friday, approximately 5-6 hours per day, variable based on program schedule.
• Intern will be working closely with a mentor from GG staff who will oversee all daily activities; an intern supervisor is available upon request for meetings and provides general oversight of Growing Gardens’ internship program
• Learning Objectives Contract – Developed within the first month of internship. This includes: position, educational objectives, learning activities, and skill development
• Evaluation – A midpoint evaluation and end of internship evaluation will include intern self-evaluation and mentor evaluation

Benefits of Interning with Growing Gardens:

• Experience working on a diversified vegetable farm.
• Hands-on experience making a positive impact in the lives of children, teens, and adults.
• Community connections and networking within the burgeoning local food movement.
• Your own weekly share ($20-$25 value) of fresh seasonal vegetables. each week from the garden June-August as the season permits.
• 50% off all produce at the farmstand (June – October)
• 50% off all plants and seeds at Growing Gardens’ Plant Sale.
• Friendly environment with a committed, passionate community.
• Develop marketable leadership and management skills.
• Access to in-person and online courses taught by Growing Gardens staff.
• All Growing Gardens internships qualify for University credit if desired.
• Office is centrally located and easily accessed via public transportation.

Qualifications

Growing Gardens is seeking individuals who are excited to gain skills and experience teaching and learning in a community of motivated garden-based educators! 

A successful applicant will demonstrate:

• Prior experience teaching youth.
• Ability to work outside in all weather conditions.
• Ability to serve as a mature, healthy role model for youth.
• Self-motivated team player with ability to meet deadlines, remain flexible and adjust to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work effectively, efficiently, and independently.
• Responsibility, reliability and organizational skills.
• Interest in developing skills and knowledge in garden-based education. No prior gardening or farming experience required.
• The intern position is contingent upon satisfactory results of a background check.

Growing Gardens prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment and will take affirmative measures to ensure against them, especially if they are carried out on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, neurodiversity, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation or political affiliation. This policy applies to all employees or potential employees, volunteers, participants, members of the Growing Gardens Board of Directors, people who serve on Growing Gardens’ committees, and anyone attending Growing Gardens’ events.  This policy extends to all aspects of employment at Growing Gardens, including hiring, transfer, promotion, training, working conditions, policies, compensation, evaluation, discipline and termination.