Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is hiring!

Are you a student who is passionate about storytelling, loves interacting with people, and committed to supporting the Gardens’ IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) goals? We're looking for an Environmental Communications 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/

This Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)-funded position plays a major role in launching a new, dialogue-based approach to tours and live interpretation. The Environmental Communications Intern will gain experience in communicating with diverse audiences about environmental issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss in a public garden setting. In particular, the intern in this position will help run dialogue-based programming by leading tours and live interpretation at Discovery Carts and other exhibits. This position will also assist with evaluating the grant-funded interpretation through a variety of strategies, including surveys and interviews. This internship would prepare you to enter the field of environmental or museum education by providing hands-on experience in how to leverage the incredible resource that is our landscape and gardens for a wide variety of learning opportunites.

Full-time, hourly, $15.75 per hour

Mid-May through Late August 2024

Primary Functions:

Assist with the design of dialogue-based education opportunities on controversial sciences topics
Lead tours on the topics of climate change and biodiversity loss
Engage guests in guided conversations on the topics of climate change and biodiversity loss at Discovery Carts and other exhibits like the Learning Apiary and Native Moth & Butterfly House
Assist in evaluating new grant-funded tours and exhibit stations through surveys and interviews, followed by data entry.
Support volunteers facilitating climate change conversations by assisting with volunteer training, development, and schedule management as needed.
Work collaboratively with staff and volunteers.
Learn and deliver best practices in science communication and visitor engagement, especially in regards to contemporary environmental issues.

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 his/her own transportation to and from the workplace. Intern housing is available for a biweekly rate.

Physical and environmental factors:

This position has consistent, moderate physical demands. The position frequently involves hands-on garden education. Work is performed both indoors and outdoors, often in inclement weather (hot, cold, wet). The employee should be prepared for active physical work as a regular component of the workday throughout the Gardens’ open season.

Requirements

Qualifications:

Must enjoy and be comfortable interacting with the public.
Solid organizational skills.
Enthusiastic and engaging storyteller
An interest in environmental issues, plants, nature, and the outdoors, and a desire to learn more about the role of education in a public garden and museum setting.
Some coursework/experience in the field of education, plant science, botany, biology, environmental sciences or a related field.
Experience using databases and spreadsheets is preferred.
Commitment to working across the organization to support the integration of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) principles into Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’s internal operations and its relationships with visitors and guests.

Salary Description

$15.75 per hour

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

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Environmental Communications Intern