Internship - Environmental Education Apprentice Tualatin River Job at Student Conservation Association, Portland, OR

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  • Student Conservation Association
  • Portland, OR

Job Description

Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Environmental Education Apprentice

(Candidates Local to Vancouver/Portland Community)

Position Summary

We are seeking an employee who has an interest in environmental work and furthering equitable practices in visitor services. The Environmental Education Apprentice would work with refuge staff to further USFWS priorities in facilitating a welcoming environment for all visitors and building intentional relationships with historically marginalized communities. The main projects and focus of the Apprentice would be on-site school programing and assisting with multicultural community engagement.

The Apprentice would work with a variety of communities, including, but not limited to, the local community (Sherwood, Tigard, Beaverton, Gaston, etc.), and historically marginalized communities such as BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), particularly LatinX communities, as well as LGBTQ+ communities, and folks with disabilities.


Schedule

January 6, 2025 - November 30, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities
  • Environmental education - assisting with our TREE partnership program and with seasonal onsite field trips; would also help with education programs in partnership with communities surrounding Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
  • Community outreach - intentional relationship building at specific community events, as well as local community events, and programs at the refuge.
  • Deliver interpretive and educational programs.
  • Assist in planning and executing special events - the refuge hosts several events throughout the year, and the Apprentice would have the opportunity to be a part of planning and executing the event; could also assist with events at the Ridgefield Complex and/or Willamette Valley Complex.
  • Though the focus of this position is on visitor services, the Apprentice would also gain valuable biological field experience (such as survey and land management techniques and plant/animal identification skills) and assist with community science work.
Marginal Duties
•Assist with day-to-day refuge operations as needed.
•Assist with volunteer trainings and development.

Required Qualifications

Willingness to submit to a background check per SCA and USFWS policy.


Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have -
  • Lived experience as a member of a historically marginalized community (Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian, LGBTQ+, disability community etc.) OR personal experience working within these communities.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Confidence initiating communication and taking leadership initiative to follow through on assignments
  • Ability to communicate effectively with diverse partners and affinity groups
  • The ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • A passion for connecting people with nature
  • Ability to creatively solve problems
  • Previous community engagement or outreach experience (e.g., volunteering, canvassing, mutual aid, relationship-building, etc.)
  • Social media skills, including content creation
  • Driver's license preferred, but not required
Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Candidates must be local to the Portland-Vancouver Metro Area. Independent access to transportation is required for this position. Public transportation fares can be reimbursed for on-duty travel. If transportation access presents a significant barrier, accommodations can be discussed (e.g., increased transportation allowance). Must submit to background check per SCA and USFWS policy.

Compensation
•$775/week living allowance*
•AmeriCorps Eligible at fulfillment of 1700 hours and average of 40 hours/week over 47 weeks- value is $7,395
•Duty Related Travel Reimbursement is $500 (Receipt required for tax-free reimbursement)

*All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.


This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans aged 35 or younger, at the start of the position. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.


Additional Benefits
  • Opportunity to conduct informational interviews with conservation professionals
  • Job shadows/ride-alongs
  • Accessibility in outdoors training
  • Community Engagement
  • Hands-on fieldwork experience (e.g. wildlife surveys and salmon spawning)
  • Defensive Driver Training
  • First Aid/CPR (pending scheduling and availability)
  • Interpretive Skills

AmeriCorps: Eligible/Optional

Equal Opportunity Statement

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer.


Working Conditions
•Work schedules and projects may change on short notice and there will be occasional weekend and evening work.
•Work settings require the ability to positively interact with a variety of communities and backgrounds, so it is important that the Apprentice can practice empathy and kindness to all people.
•Our relationship with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde is a priority and must be treated as such. It is extremely important that the Apprentice treat members of the Tribe with respect as well as other Indigenous folks we work and interact with. It is also a priority that they treat the land with respect and acknowledge the history of the land and be mindful of the history between the federal government and the Tribes.
•Potential exposure to natural and environmental hazards such as poison oak, ticks, and mosquito-borne illness. Also, exposure to extreme temperatures may increase the risk of hypo- and hyperthermia. Student Conservation Association

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Temporary work, Apprenticeship, Internship, Local area, Outdoor, Afternoon shift,

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