The Missouri Botanical Garden’s EarthWays Center (EWC) is offering one unpaid internship positions for the spring of 2017. As part of the Garden’s Sustainability division, EWC works to promote and advance sustainability initiatives in the St. Louis region and beyond. We promote sustainability through environmental education and improving the built environment. By educating people about our dependence on plants and the natural resources that support plant communities, we teach adults and youth to value and protect the things that sustain our families and communities. (www.mobot.org/sustainability)
EWC works closely with the building industry through partnerships with the U.S. Green Building Council’s Missouri Gateway Chapter (USGBC), MO / IL St. Louis Regional Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program, and other professional groups. Our education programming spans a wide breadth, including adult classes, and youth programs delivered both in schools and universities and at the Garden. Topics addressed through EWC programs include energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy, solid waste reduction and recycling, green building, water conservation, and air quality.
During the spring of 2017, the EWC Events intern will support these efforts and learn more about this field of work by directly assisting in the management of our Energy Efficiency Programs as well as hands on field experience in our Sunflower+ Project site in Old North. Below is a description of the activities:
Sunflower+ Project: StL
Sunflower+ is an award winning project focused on short term, sustainable use of vacant urban land in the city of St. Louis. Our multi- year project involves sunflowers in order to enrich soil and provide a low cost, scalable example of visualizing vacant lots as an asset. More details at: https://www.facebook.com/SunflowerProjectstl
Energy Efficiency Programs Management
EWC helps manage energy efficiency rebate, incentive, loan and training programs in Missouri and Illinois. These programs are headed by local and state governments, utilities and other stakeholders to broaden the reach of energy efficiency, primarily in the residential sector. More details at: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/sustainability-conservation/sustainable-living/at-home.aspx
Some specific responsibilities for this position can include:
- Pulling weeds, watering, seeding, etc.
- Participating in/giving tours of the site to interested groups
- Organizing/archiving materials, drawing, photos, etc. of the project’s documentation process
- Update social media and web site with current info
- Research into possible ways to expand the project
- Organizing and working on our energy efficiency social media campaigns
- Working with our files and records to improve organization and retrieval
- Processing incoming requests for program participation
Preferred skills include:
- Familiarity with “green” terminology
- Comfortable on the phone.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong email skills and ability to file communications (Outlook a plus)
- Creative problem solving and ability to voice an idea
- Ability to work both independently and in a team setting
- Strong initiative and follow-through
- Familiarity with computer programs and spreadsheets in particular (MS Office)
- Comfortable with social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest)
- Attention to detail for fact checking and proofreading
- Ability for moderate lifting and moderate to heavy walking
- Ability to work outside in garden project with gardening tools for up to 4 hours
- Experience with web content management system’s a plus (updating text / images)
This intern will work primarily with EWC staff member, Richard Reilly, Energy Efficiency Programs Manager. However, the intern will have the opportunity to interact and learn from with other EWC & USGBC staff as well.
EWC intern candidates are expected to work 15-20 hours/week. The working period is approximately late January to the beginning of May. However, there is some flexibility in this timeframe to meet the needs of potential intern candidates. These positions are voluntary and therefore unpaid. Candidates need to have completed at least one year of undergraduate work and have some interest and/or experience in the environmental field. Missouri Botanical Garden requires that candidates for any position involving work with children must complete a background verification check.
Interested candidates should email a cover letter and copy of their resume to the contact listed below.
Application deadline:
- Fall 2021: September–mid-December (application deadline: July 15, or until position is filled)
- Spring 2022: mid-January–May (application deadline: December 15, or until position is filled)
- Summer 2022: May–August (application deadline: April 1, or until position is filled)
Event Intern Contact: Richard Reilly, EarthWays Center, Energy Programs Manager
richard.reilly@mobot.org
(314) 577-0228
School Programs Intern
Classification: Part time, Intern (unpaid)
Dept/Div: Education
Are you an aspiring teacher interested in gaining some experience with informal education and life science? The School Programs team at the main garden is looking for an intern to assist with onsite field trip programs and offsite outreach programs during the school year. The intern will gain experience and assist with the following:
• Designing, preparing and presenting education programs to visiting groups of students and teachers,
• Conducting topical guided tours to visiting school groups,
• Travelling with staff members to local schools to assist with onsite outreach programs,
• Basic greenhouse maintenance, planting and propagation,
• Program evaluation and modification to fit the needs of various groups,
• Other projects as assigned.
The School Programs intern will have the opportunity to instruct students and to practice hands-on teaching, inquiry and onsite interpretation strategies. The intern will also have the opportunity to observe current teachers interacting with their students both onsite at the main garden and in their own classrooms during outreaches.
Qualifications:
Recent grads or students that are near completing degrees in Early Childhood, Elementary Education or Middle School education preferred.
Internship dates: (3½ months)
Fall: September – mid-December (application deadline: August 15)
Spring: February – mid-May (application deadline: January 15)
Hours:
Part Time, 10-20 hours per week, typically mornings (8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) with occasional afternoons.
Compensation:
Unpaid, but may be arranged for college credit. Includes free admission to the Garden, its festivals and events, and its off-site family of attractions.
Apply now by emailing a resume and cover letter to Matthew Magoc, mmagoc@mobot.org.
Litzsinger Road Ecology Center (LREC) helps teachers engage their students in place-based education: using local ecology as a framework for studying a variety of subjects while interacting with the community. Participating teachers bring their students to LREC and design relevant lesson plans to use while on site that link to related work the students are doing on the school grounds or in the neighborhood.
Located in Ladue, this unique 34-acre study center encompasses a variety of habitats including bottomland forest, restored prairie, and an urban creek.
Place-Based Education Interns at LREC will be introduced to techniques for using outdoor spaces to enhance learning, develop schoolyard native plant habitats, and engage students with their community.
This will be accomplished as they:
- Lead small groups of school children in ecological investigations and explorations of the natural world.
- Become familiar with the ecology and natural habitats of Missouri.
- Interact with staff, students (pre-k-8th grade), teachers, and volunteers.
We are happy to work with you to meet any requirements necessary to earn credit for the internship. Interns also have the potential to visit school classes, participate in volunteer and teacher enrichment activities, do hands-on restoration work, and complete an independent project, depending on interest and availability.
Qualifications:
- Enrolled in a college program studying education, environmental studies, or a related field.
- Interest in using the outdoors as educational space.
- Enjoy working with children of all ages.
Dates:
- Spring Semester (January–May)
- Fall Semester (September–December)
Specific dates are flexible within this range.
Hours:
Part time, 8–20 hours per week. Scheduling is flexible within operating hours of 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday.
To apply, email Susan Baron your resume and cover letter at susan.baron@mobot.org.
The Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum at the Missouri Botanical Garden seeks interns for research and installations of future and ongoing exhibition projects and development of Museum programs. Interns will work closely with the Museum Curator to provide support and assist in a wide variety of Museum activities.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
* Packing and unpacking art and writing condition reports; tracking and reporting IPM and building climate control data
- Object handling, cleaning and preparing exhibition cases, and installing exhibitions
- Researching objects/artworks/artifacts/specimens for inclusion in exhibitions, label writing, and other projects as assigned.
- Assisting Curator in researching and developing museum policies
- Communicating Museum rules which ensure the long-term preservation of the artifacts and structure; for example, no touching of the artifacts on view, and no food or drinks.
Requirements:
- 160 hours’ minimum commitment and a 2.8 cumulative GPA or higher
- Ability to work some weekends
- Ability to use a computer, and knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel
- Ability to lift and carry a minimum weight of 20-30 pounds.
- May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., climb ladders, etc.)
- Must be able to meet deadlines, work autonomously as well as in a team setting, and be creative in solving problems.
- Must be flexible and willing to work on a wide variety of projects.
Qualifications:
- College upperclassmen or graduate students preferred, interested in learning about museum exhibitions and best practices in museums
- Excellent writing and oral communication skills; excellent research skills in digital and documentary formats
- Interest in working with people and engaging a diverse visitorship
- Punctual, dependable, and demonstrates accuracy and attention to detail
- Coursework in history, art, science
Working conditions:
- Inside Lehmann Building and inside Sachs Museum, accessible by stairs and elevator.
Apply:
Email resume and any relevant materials to Museum Curator Nezka Pfeifer.
The Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum at the Missouri Botanical Garden seeks remote interns for research of future and ongoing exhibition projects and development of Museum programs. Interns will work closely with the Museum Curator to provide support and assist in a wide variety of Museum activities.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
- Researching exhibition subjects in all scholarly disciplines and writing thorough synopses for the Curator to explore potential projects and social media content
- Researching and writing objects/artworks/artifacts/specimens for inclusion in exhibitions, label writing, and other projects as assigned.
- Assisting Curator in researching and developing museum policies, community contacts for potential collaboration, and subjects for social media communications
Requirements:
- 160 hours’ minimum commitment and a 2.8 cumulative GPA or higher
- Ability to work some weekends
- Ability to use a computer, and knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel
- Access to a computer and internet for research; access to scholarly journals a plus but not required
- Must be able to meet deadlines, work autonomously as well as in a team setting, and be creative in solving problems.
- Must be flexible and willing to work on a wide variety of projects.
Qualifications:
- College upperclassmen or graduate students preferred, interested in learning about museum exhibitions and best practices in museums
- Excellent writing and oral communication skills; excellent research skills in digital and documentary formats
- Interest in working with people and engaging a diverse visitorship
- Punctual, dependable, and demonstrates accuracy and attention to detail
- Coursework in history, art, science
Working conditions:
Working at home or remotely, with access to own personal computer and internet connection
To Apply:
Email resumé/CV, research writing sample, and any relevant materials to Museum Curator Nezka Pfeifer