Internship Community Coordinator

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

 Compensation: $54,000.00 - 63,000.00

The role of Internship Community Coordinator will report to the Senior Manager of Environmental Partnerships. In fall, winter, and spring, this position will be 80% office and 20% field based, while during the summer, this position will be approximately 30% office and 70% field based.  The Internship Community Coordinator will: (1) lead the NAC’s high school internship program, including developing and facilitating curricula, conducting outreach to partners, and supporting program evaluation; (2) support the NAC college internship program’s alumni network through organizing a quarterly newsletter and working with the alumni network board to facilitate in-person programming; and (3) plan and facilitate the internship exchange program between the NAC and the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, based in Eleuthera, The Bahamas. 

About the NAC’s high school program

In 2022, the NAC piloted an urban ecology program for local high school students, with the goal of using the framework of science identity to promote environmental stewardship among NYC youth. We employed a place-based model to connect high school students to proximate natural areas with our pilot season taking place in Forest Park, Queens. Based on preliminary results, the NAC plans to continue and scale the program in Forest Park, and explore piloting a subsequent program on Staten Island. During the program, high school students become familiar with and practice the scientific method and urban forest ecology, including forest assessment methods, trail stewardship, and ecological restoration.

About the NAC Internship Program Alumni Network 

Since 2016, the NAC has offered a paid internship program to nearly 100 City University of New York (CUNY) students and recent graduates. Participants receive training in research and natural areas management in NYC, and apply that knowledge through field-based activities such as data collection, restoration, and trail improvements projects. In 2022, current and former internship participants and NAC staff launched the NAC Internship Program Alumni Network, to foster community, facilitate knowledge sharing, and  share professional opportunities with current and former NAC interns and others dedicated to caring for local ecosystems in NYC. This position will act as the NAC liaison to this nascent network, providing guidance, support, and facilitation for the coordination and execution of alumni network events

Responsibilities/Duties

High school program (70%) 

  • Under the guidance of NAC’s Senior Manager of Environmental Partnerships, plan, implement, and evaluate the organization’s high school program
  • Maintain and grow relationships with partners in Forest Park to strengthen current high school program efforts
  • Recruit, interview, and hire high school students to participate in NAC’s high school internship program 
  • Conduct outreach and develop relationships with potential partners on Staten Island to explore their interest in supporting the launch of a high school program
  • Scope and provide recommendations for piloting a high school program on Staten Island 
  • Create program structure that aligns with and leverages citywide programs such as the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) for recruitment
  • Supervise college interns involved with high school program 
  • Attend NYC Science Research Mentoring Consortium meetings

NAC CUNY internship program alumni network (20%) 

  • Work with Alumni Network board to plan and implement in-person programming, focusing on stewardship, networking, and professional development
  • Coordinate quarterly newsletter, including soliciting content and ideas from alumni and collaborating with NAC’s Senior Manager of Communications to create the newsletter
  • Design, distribute, and summarize responses of annual alumni network surveys 
  • Work with Alumni Network leadership to support other activities of the network as needed

NAC-Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve exchange program (10%)

  • Define exchange program goals and plan and implement activities in NYC and The Bahamas in partnership with theLeon Levy Native Plant Preserve (LLNPP) Internship
  • Participate in exchange program, hosting interns from LLNPP while visiting NYC, and travel with NAC staff and interns to visit the LLNPP  to learn about flora, fauna, and ecosystems on the island of Eleuthera, Bahamas  

Qualifications/Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree required in related field 
  • Experience with coordinating environmental or educational programs 
  • Strong analytical, problem solving, and organizational skills
  • Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously
  • Able to work independently and collaboratively 
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • A motor vehicle driver’s license valid in the State of New York
  • Passport and ability to travel internationally
  • Ability to work occasional early mornings, evenings, or weekends as needed

PREFERRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Two years of experience in in program coordination, particularly related to environmental education, community outreach, or ecological restoration
  • Experience with curriculum development, particularly related to environmental science/ecology 
  • Supervisory experience
  • Experience developing and/or implementing a research project related to urban ecology 
  • Experience working in, and knowledge of, NYC natural area parkland
  • Experience developing and maintaining relationships with project or program collaborators

Additional Information

The Natural Areas Conservancy (NAC) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2012 to advance the restoration and conservation of natural areas for a resilient and healthy New York City. Working in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks), we seek to ensure the high-quality management of NYC’s 20,000 acres of forests and wetlands. Driving the NAC’s work is the recognition that natural areas are increasingly vital to sustaining air quality, improving public health, providing New Yorkers with access to nature, and strengthening our communities.  Our work includes conducting scientific research, restoring natural habitats, developing tools to inform data-driven management, and increasing awareness and opportunities for the public to experience NYC’s abundant nature.  More information about our work is at naturalareasnyc.org.

JOB LOCATION:
When staff are not in the field, NAC currently offers a hybrid remote work schedule, with staff reporting to the Manhattan office 20% of their time and working remotely 80%. Staff are expected to report to  field locations in all five boroughs of New York City as needed, which increases up to 80% of the time during the summer. When working remotely, staff must have access to a reliable internet connection.  

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS
The NAC is offering a salary of $54,000-$63,000 annually for this position at 35 hours/week, in addition to a competitive benefits package including generous Paid Time Off,  medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401K, work from home stipend, and professional development. 

APPLICATION
To apply for the Internship Community Coordinator role at the Natural Areas Conservancy, please apply online at our Career Center and include your resume and cover letter.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the closing date of February 28th. Please address any questions to hr@naturalareasnyc.org.

Subject to applicable federal, state, and local laws, the Natural Areas Conservancy requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. We will consider requests for accommodation to this vaccination requirement during the recruiting process. Any requested accommodations must be reviewed and approved (if applicable) in advance of your start date.

Contact Information

The Natural Areas Conservancy
Email: hr@naturalareasnyc.org
Website: Apply Online