Public Engagement Intern

SUMMARY:  The hourly, temporary (Mid-May through Mid-August, depending on availability) Public Engagement Intern (PEI) will complete a variety of seasonal support tasks to assist the Public Engagement Team with both office and field duties during the busy, summer season.  These duties will include initiatives to enhance educational programming, volunteer services, communications, equity and inclusion efforts, and community outreach within the Public Engagement Team of Natural Areas. The PEI may also complete shadow opportunities with other branches of the Natural Areas Department including, Resource Management, Planning, Rangers, and Trails and Visitor Amenities, depending on interest and capacity.  This position will have the opportunity to be a part of a larger internship cohort for the City of Fort Collins which may offer additional professional development.  These opportunities will be designed to introduce the intern to the wide variety of career opportunities that can be found within the natural resources field at a local governmental agency. This position is 25% in the office, 75% in the field.

This internship will work in the field with Boys and Girls club and other outreach education activities offering direct support, teaching assistance, and packing/logistical planning. This position will also work Saturday and evening events where tabling or other educational activities are offered.  Duties may include handing out written communications, sharing educational artifacts with the public, or providing safety, regulatory, or factual information about natural areas to attendees.

This position will work a Tuesday through Saturday schedule with some evening and weekend work required.  Spanish language skills recommended but not required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

•Create and implement educational activities and lesson plans that reflect a variety of program delivery models.

•Conducts public education and outreach to diverse audiences.

•Works with members of the Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) or marginalized communities to build trust-based relationships.

•Plans and leads activities for diverse audiences including presentations, events, workshops, classes, and business outreach.

•Provides support and advice on community engagement techniques that lead to the successful implementation of processes, projects or programs.

•Meets deadlines and uses time, materials, and resources efficiently and cost-effectively.

•Attends and contributes to various staff meetings.

•Is an ambassador for the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department by communicating the City’s goals, management philosophies, and key messages.

•Uses appropriate safety practices and adheres to dress code.

•Maintains equipment and inventory and prepares supplies for activities.

•Drive a 14-passenger bus to and from activities to shuttle attendees.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

•Demonstrated knowledge of educational learning styles and communication techniques that are audience appropriate.

•Demonstrated knowledge of curriculum development, including forming instructional objectives and selecting appropriate materials. 

•Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing. Effective public speaking skills.

•Capable of working as a member of a team, as well as independently.

•Knowledge of principles of heritage and natural resource interpretation, and public outreach.

•Ability to deal with stressful situations and deadlines.

•Ability to interact with members of City staff, other agencies, and general public including working effectively with youth.

•Able to learn publishing, graphics, web page editing, Excel, presentation, social networking, and word processing software.

•Excellent customer service, presentation, communication and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive internal and external relationships.

•Ability to work with volunteers, use volunteer management software, manage groups, communicate effectively, and accept and give feedback.

•Ability to assist with evaluating public engagement activities and learners including quality and outcome-based metrics.

•Ability to drive vans that hold up to 14 people.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:  Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in environmental science, education, natural resources, or related field preferred.  College level juniors or seniors will be considered who demonstrate work or volunteer experience related to the natural resources field.  Equivalent work experience without a degree will also be considered.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: 

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, best management practices, management plans, educational lesson plans, as well as procedure manuals. 
• Ability to prepare and deliver effective correspondence and presentations. 
• Ability to speak effectively before different groups.
• Knowledge of a second language other than English preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:  Valid Colorado driver’s license is required. Certified Interpretive Guide or Trainer (National Association for Interpretation), and Environmental Educator certification (Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education) preferred but not required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sometimes on uneven or varied terrain; lift, carry, move, or position items up to 25 lbs.; work outside in a variety of weather conditions including moderate cold or moderate heat; sit; use hands to, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  Work will occur both indoors and out. The outdoor component will occur in varying weather conditions. Conditions may, at times, be severe. This position will require work outside of normal business hours.

 

 The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities.  Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.
 
Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use:
 Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body.  The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy. 

The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.

Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.

The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.
 
 POST OFFER BACKGROUND CHECK AND MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT (MVR) REQUIRED. (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)
 
 Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.