Mountain Bike Environmental Education Internship

Organization Overview: 

Hartley Nature Center (HNC) is a non-profit environmental learning center located within the 600+ acre Hartley Park in Duluth, Minnesota. HNC's mission is to inspire lifelong connections with nature through education, play, and exploration. Governed by a board of directors, HNC has a talented staff of full and part-time educators and administrative support staff, and many community volunteers. HNC provides programs for over 20,000 children and adults each year: from Hartley Nature Preschool (HNP), to school field trips, summer camps and programs for the general public. HNC operates from a nature center in Hartley Park, a city-owned park with diverse forest, wetland and stream habitats, over five miles of hiking and ski trails, and beautiful ridges overlooking Lake Superior. The 12,700 square foot nature center is designed as a model of energy-efficient, environmental building practices and provides classrooms, exhibit areas, offices and storage areas to support and enhance HNC programs.

Position Description:

The Environmental Education Intern will assist in developing and delivering environmental based content to people of all ages in camps and community programming, with an emphasis on teaching mountain bike camps. They will join a friendly, dynamic staff that is dedicated to carrying out Hartley Nature Center’s mission of inspiring lifelong connections with nature through education, play and exploration. 

Status: 

• Full time: 40 hours per week from May 28th - August 23rd

Start date: May 28th, 2024

End date: August 23th, 2024

Benefits: Stipend of $800/month 

Extensive in-house training and professional development

Qualify for gear pro-deals

Granite Gear daypack upon completion

Deadline: March 15th, 2024- applicants after this deadline may be considered. 

Duties:

• Develop and teach our environmental education programs with an emphasis on mountain biking. Will teach other, non-mountain biking classes in addition 
• Participate in staff training on outdoor learning, nature play, behavior management, lesson plan development, etc.
• Contribute to nature center projects, caring for native plant gardens, live animal exhibits, monarch butterfly exhibit, facility maintenance, ect.
• Organize, maintain and clean educational resources and common spaces as needed
• Availability one weekend day a month in summer 
• Other tasks as assigned 

Qualifications:

• Genuine interest in teaching children mountain biking skills and etiquette 
• Degree (or in process) in environmental studies, education, sciences, or related field or equivalent experience
• Ability to work and teach outdoors in all weather conditions
• General knowledge of maintaining mountain bikes
• Experience teaching mountain biking skills and etiquette or outdoor recreation- experience teaching 7-12 year old's preferred
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Ability to relate with people of all ages and abilities in a positive manner
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends
• Ability to effectively ride on mountain bike trails in Hartley Park for multiple hours with children ages 7-12
• Ability and interest in working with children ages 3-12
• Access to an appropriate bike for Hartley trails is preferred but is not required. Please apply, even if you do not have access to appropriate gear.

Please keep in mind that teaching MTB to this age group requires patience and compassion. You likely won't set any speed records in this position, but you will gain access to a supportive and adventurous community and phenomenal trails. 

Application Procedure:

Applicants please include a cover letter, resume and a minimum of two professional and/or educational references. Ideally, at least one of the references has seen the applicant working with students or participants. Please direct applications or inquiries to: education@hartleynature.org