Education

Education Internship

Description

The Education Intern is an integral part of the Education team, which develops and delivers educational programs for professionals, adults, families and children. The Education Intern works with staff to direct the activities of volunteer guides including training and workshop planning. The intern also provides committee leadership and provides education program support. The intern meets regularly with volunteer guides and other professionals to plan, coordinate and evaluate programs. The intern has the opportunity to communicate with the public through newsletter articles, course brochure descriptions and a monthly volunteer publication. This position is supported by the McLean Contributionship Education Internship Endowment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Write and produce volunteer newsletter
• Supervise logistics of scheduled tours and guides
• Work on committees to help develop tours for adult and school groups
• Work with staff to produce adult and family course curriculum
• Help plan and execute weekly schedule of intern sessions
• Write family-focused articles for Arboretum newsletter
• Help plan and organize professional seminars
• Learn to follow proper safety practices
• Complete an independent study project under the direction of your supervisor
• Work at two weekend Arboretum events - Fall Festival and Plant Sale
• Work one afternoon in the Arboretum's Plant Clinic per week
• Participate in intern core curriculum sessions as scheduled.
• Perform additional duties as requested

Qualifications/Requirements

• Good communication skills, both written and oral
• Good interpersonal skills
• Must be adaptable and flexible
• Working knowledge of Word, Excel and Publisher preferred
• Bachelor's degree in related field

Work Environment

The Education Intern has his/her own workstation in a shared office that provides the camaraderie offered by a small and supportive staff. Although most days are spent indoors, there is ample opportunity to be outside in good weather. The position includes regular field trips with guides as well as the opportunity to attend at least one professional conference. The Education Intern has an excellent opportunity to meet others in the field of informal education and to have the opportunity to work as part of a team to develop hands-on curriculum-based educational programs.

Past Project Topics

• Improvement of Seasons and Cycles (K to 2nd grade) tour and Pre- & Post-Visit Activity Sheets
• The Development of a New Arboretum Tour: Plant Reproduction ~Seeds and Seed Dispersal
• Educational Components: David Rogers' "Big Bugs" Sculpture Exhibit
• Learning the Art of Organization: Publicizing and Assisting with the Planning of the 2003 Invasive Plants Conference