Youth Family Programs Paid Intern
Employment Type
Paid Internship (Full-time)Job Categories
Education
Job Description
Are you a student who is passionate about plants and our environment, loves working with children, and is committed to supporting the Gardens’ IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) goals? We’re looking for a Youth Education Programs Intern excited about inspiring meaningful connections among people, plants, and nature in one of the most beautiful settings in Maine.
See the full listing on our website: https://www.mainegardens.org/employment/
The Youth Education Programs Internship provides hands-on experience supporting and implementing a wide variety of youth and family programming at the Gardens. It also gives the intern the opportunity to learn the art and science of live interpretation, increase their gardening knowledge, learn what it takes to maintain a children’s garden, and learn best practices in customer service.
Full-time, hourly, $16.00 per hour
Intern housing is available for a biweekly rate.
Applicants will be reviewed starting February 18, 2025.
Work schedule:
40 hours/week, including one weekend day from approximately mid-May to late August. Flexible start and end date. The successful candidate is responsible for their transportation to and from the workplace.
Physical and environmental factors:
This position has consistent, moderate physical demands. It frequently involves hands-on garden education and some maintenance of learning gardens. The employee should be prepared for active physical work as a regular component of the workday throughout the Gardens’ open season.
About Us
At nearly 325 acres, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is the largest public garden in New England. With two miles of hiking trails, 19 acres of ornamental and themed gardens featuring native plants of Maine and those suited to northern coastal conditions, nearly a mile of saltwater frontage, a children’s garden, a sensory garden, and so much more, there’s something for everyone. A true Maine experience, the Gardens is committed to connecting people to plants and nature, preserving the biodiversity of the Maine coast, and continuing to be a place accessible and welcoming to all. The mission of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections between people and nature and promote plant conservation through horticulture, education, and plant science.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is dedicated to being an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible environment where every member of our community is valued, respected, and appreciated. We acknowledge that a society is stronger, more resilient, and more beautiful when it is diverse. We are committed to identifying and striving to eliminate barriers that, historically, have prevented the full participation of communities most impacted by inequity.
Duties & Responsibilities
Welcome and orient visiting school/youth groups.
Assist in implementing nature- and garden-based summer camp programs for ages 4-9.
Help to plan and co-lead our summer camp aftercare program.
Assist visiting art instructors as they implement youth art workshops.
Carry out daily informal educational activities in the Alfond Children’s Garden, such as storytime, puppet shows and chicken feeding.
Help to facilitate Discovery Carts for guests of all ages.
Help care for the Learning Garden and greenhouse.
Assist with the daily upkeep of the Alfond Children’s Garden play areas.
Education and Experience
Must be comfortable with and enjoy interacting with the public and with students of all ages, especially children. Experience working with children is preferred.
Must have an interest in plants, gardening, and nature and a desire to learn more about the role of education in a public garden setting.
Some coursework/experience in the field of education or the natural sciences is strongly preferred.
Must be comfortable interacting with guests, staff, board members, and the community; strive to exceed guest and program participant expectations, and create an exceptional experience for those visiting the Gardens.
Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
Commitment to working across the organization to support the integration of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) principles into Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ internal operations and its relationships with visitors and guests.