The Friends of Old Woman Creek is offering one undergraduate internship in education and outreach during summer 2024. The internship is expected to last approximately 11 weeks, from mid-May – August (start and end dates are somewhat flexible). Located at Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) in Huron, Ohio, on the south-central shore of Lake Erie where one of the state's few remaining examples of a natural estuary resides. Old Woman Creek NERR is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Estuarine Research Reserve System, a network of 30 coastal reserves whose mission is to address state and regional coastal management needs through research, education, and stewardship.

Summary

The Education and Outreach Intern will work with Jennifer Bucheit, the Education Coordinator, and Emily Kuzmick, the Coastal Training Program Coordinator, to provide visitor and customer service support and assist staff with implementation of education and some research and stewardship programs. Job duties include answering phones, responding to public inquiries, orienting visitors to the Reserve, issuing access permits, citizen science projects, and working with volunteers. The intern will also assist with implementing educational and recreational programming with a variety of school, youth, and public programs including guided hikes, canoe trips, and the reserve’s wildlife species monitoring program. The intern will have the opportunity to develop and pursue an independent communications/outreach project and be a member of a cohort of summer interns involved in education, research, and stewardship. Experience with communications, graphic design, and environmental education are preferred.

Desired qualifications include progress toward a bachelor’s degree in environmental education, biology, environmental science, or a related subject, valid driver’s license.

All applicants must be able to swim; have some experience using self-powered boats or motorboats; be able to lift at least 35 pounds; be tolerant of working in poor conditions (e.g., weather, biting insects, poison ivy). The intern must be currently enrolled in a college or university (i.e., students graduating before September 2024 are ineligible).

To apply: Submit 1) a letter of interest, 2) current CV/resume, and 3) contact information for 3 references to Jennifer.bucheit@dnr.ohio.gov by February 16, 2024.

Compensation Information

The total stipend for the internship will be $5,700 paid out in bi-weekly periods over the course of summer. Free onsite housing in shared accommodations may be available.