Summer Internships - Summer Camp Programs

Milwaukee's Urban Ecology Center is a non-profit organization that has captured the attention of leaders in cities across the country. Our model of creating neighborhood-based environmental education centers energizes urban public natural areas. Located in vibrant public green spaces, our fast-growing organization serves over 200,000 people of all ages annually.

Our innovative team of cutting-edge non-profit professionals work in creative, high-energy open offices in state-of-the-art green facilities. The Urban Ecology Center's facilities and programs have been recognized nationally and internationally for their innovative approach to sustainability, neighborhood-based urban environmental education and community science. The Urban Ecology Center serves socially and culturally diverse communities. We are committed to having a team of employees that reflect the richness and diversity of these communities.

The Summer Camp Programs team has thirteen (13) internships available across our three branches in Milwaukee. Details here:

Position Summary: This full time, 11-week internship augments the capacity of the Center's Summer Camp Programs, specializing in urban outdoor recreation activities (such as hiking, paddling, climbing wall facilitation, and biking) and non-formal environmental education programming for children ages 4-17. Develop skills to become an environmental educator and environmentally responsible mentor for the urban Milwaukee community. Interns experience the full scope of Urban Ecology Center summer education programming, including: 1) Learning planning processes for summer camp programming, and 2) co-teaching week-long, and multi-week, camper-centered summer camps. Summer interns will work at one or two of our three branches located in Riverside Park, Washington Park, and Menomonee Valley. This position works 40 hours per week and reports to the Environmental Education Manager.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work with diverse Summer Camp Programs to mentor program participants, primarily ages 4-13.
• Work closely with Environmental Educators to develop and teach camper-centered activities for summer camp students
• Oversee and plan camper activities during before- and after-camp sessions
• Prepare materials for summer educational activities

Qualifications: A high school diploma or GED and at least one year of work or learning experience beyond high school. Experience in, and enthusiasm for, working with children grades K-8 desirable, including child care, field trips and other educational/outdoor experience. Physical ability, with reasonable accommodation, required for activities such as carrying and paddling canoes or hiking for a full day. Ability to engage participants easily and to express enthusiasm for activities desired. A valid driver's license and willingness to drive a 14-passenger bus strongly preferred. Canoe training, lifeguard certification and/or water safety certificates are a plus. Qualified candidates must have the ability to pass a FBI-level background check and fingerprinting for approval by the State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Ability to speak Spanish is a plus.

Training: On-site training for daily responsibilities is ongoing throughout internship. Certification in First Aid and CPR/AED is required and arranged the first week of internship. Some interns will need lifeguard certification. A lifeguard certification course may be coordinated by the Urban Ecology Center prior to the start of the internship for interested candidates.

Internship duration: June 6, 2022 to August 26, 2022. This position requires 40 hours per week and will be required to take 5 unpaid days off during this time frame.

Compensation: $12.00 per hour

Application Closing Date: March 24, 2022

The Urban Ecology Center is an equal opportunity employer. It is Urban Ecology Center's policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified personnel in all job classifications without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, and any other protected status. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please call 414- 964-8505 and ask for Human Resources.