Position Description & Application
DUTIES:
- The intern and mentor will meet to discuss goals and objectives of the internship experience and solidify the schedule when the internship begins. The intern will be responsible to a variety of MDC staff throughout the St. Louis Region for completion of those tasks. Those staff members and the intern will keep the mentor updated on the intern's performance.
- The intern will become familiar with Department programs and other materials that will equip the intern with an understanding of offerings and facilities.
- The mentor and other staff will take the intern to conservation areas within the region. These will include August A. Busch Conservation Area, Rockwoods Reservation, Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, and Jay Henges Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center.
- The intern will assist naturalists as assigned (most of the internship period will be spent with the naturalists in hands-on program experiences). The intern will plan, schedule, and implement at least one interpretive program. The intern will be a part of the interpretive program which will include program set-up, implementation, and evaluation. The interpretive naturalist intern will assist with planning and conducting interpretive programs for schools, Scouts, civic groups, and general audiences on conservation and natural history subjects. The intern will assist with exhibits around the nature center and assist with the care of live reptiles, amphibians, spiders, and fish. The intern will answer natural history and urban wildlife questions from the general public, provide general customer service at the front desk and gift shop, and perform other duties as required.
- The intern will spend time shadowing the following as time allows urban forester, fisheries biologist, conservation educator, urban wildlife biologist, scientist, conservation agent, and/or other areas that are of interest to the intern.
QUALIFICATIONS:
At the undergraduate level the emphasis is on recruitment, career exploration, and introducing top performing students to MDC.
Students are eligible for the program when they meet the following criteria:
- Undergraduate student at an accredited university/college in good standing. Students who will be graduating before the internship begins are not eligible.
- Cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher on 4.0 scale is desirable.
- Preference will be given to students who have completed at least 45 credit hours.
- A degree or course work in Biological Sciences, Conservation, Forestry, Fisheries, Environmental Education, Environmental Studies, or closely related subjects is preferred. A background and/or interest in biology and natural resources is also desirable.
SPECIAL ABLILTY REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to:
- Experience with public speaking, either through classroom or general public speaking is helpful, but not required.
- Applicant should be able to work well with others, and able to interact with the public.
- Applicant should be willing and able to perform physical labor and have flexibility in his/her work schedule.
- Ability to:
- Work outside in adverse weather conditions and perform tasks requiring strenuous physical activity.
- Demonstrate regular and predictable attendance.
- Obtain a current, valid driver license by the date of employment.
- Work Saturdays, Sundays, evenings and holidays when needed.
- Keep an accurate record of supplies, services, and time reports.