Outdoor Education Intern - Spring

Job Title: Spring Intern
Reports to: Programs Managers; Program Directors
Supervises: None
Housing Available: Yes
Start & End Date: April 14, 2025 - approx. May 23, 2025 (flexible)
Pay: $15/hour, 20-40 hours/week (flexible)
 

About Keystone Science School 

With the outdoors as a backdrop for learning, Keystone Science School inspires curiosity and critical thinking through the lens of science to change lives and strengthen communities. KSS offers a variety of adventure and traditional camp activities within a structured environment designed to allow each camper and participant to understand their potential. In all programs, campers and participants will create lifelong friendships, explore and learn about the natural world, and gain leadership and wilderness skills. For more information go to keystonescienceschool.org 

With a staff that cares deeply about social justice and racial justice, we believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment and enhance our ability to pursue our mission. We are committed to building an organization with raised consciousness in order to impact how we work with clients, as well as how we work together as a team. 

Position Overview

From April - May, interns will experience a progression of shadowing, co-teaching, and then teaching independently. By the end of the internship, interns will be expected to independently lead groups of up to 13 students, teaching environmental science and facilitating team building curriculum. They will also be responsible for the facilitation of meals, evening programs, and the completion of manual labor tasks on a rotating basis. 

This internship is designed to provide an opportunity to gain the skills and experience necessary to facilitate overnight outdoor education field trips. Specific details of the position will be decided based on KSS programming needs or any internship requirements set by your higher education institution.

The job duties of this position are performed personally, in cooperation with your supervisor, and/or in coordination with other staff. Additional work functions and duties may be assigned.

Job Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Learn how to prepare and teach appropriate environmental education curricula

Learn how to facilitate team building, leadership, and social emotional learning activities

Program facilitation includes ‘support staff’ duties such as teaching evening programs, campus cleaning, meal set-up and clean-up

Attend staff meetings, trainings, and shadowing as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Manage and teach a group of up to 13 K-12 students on their own

Ability to work a flexible schedule, including days, nights, and weekends

Have an interest in, respect for, and ability to work with students with diverse backgrounds

Interest in learning how to create an inclusive learning environment for students with a wide range of learning abilities and backgrounds

Interest in learning how to creatively carry out science education curricula and lesson plans

Interest in learning how adaptable and flexible while managing students in a variety of situations

Strong work ethic 

Motivation to contribute positively to the KSS at-large community

Multi-task efficiently in a fast-paced, changing environment

Customer service skills

Abide by and uphold the policies and procedures set forth by KSS

Professional Performance 

Adhere to all Personnel Policies and Procedures for the organization.

Actively strive to upgrade professional skills through engaging in the professional development provided by this internship

Maintain professional standards of performance, demeanor, and appearance at all times; act as a “role model” both at and away from the organization.

Maintain a creative, team-building approach to job performance and seek to bring a constructive, problem-solving orientation to all tasks.

Perform all tasks and responsibilities with attention to detail and in a complete and timely manner, complying with organization policies and standards and conforming to the scheduling requirements of the job and program.

Maintain an awareness of the organization’s mission and work to promote the positive individual and social change goals it embodies.

Exercise discretion and professional judgment at all times keeping with the responsibilities carried personally and by the organization for the care and welfare of the clients; act with honesty and integrity in all aspects of organization business.

Actively strive to create and maintain a culturally sensitive, justice-centered and appropriate environment through communication and interaction that demonstrates respect for diversity, socio-economic and cultural differences and that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.

Qualifications

Required Education, Experience, and Certifications

Experience working with youth

CPR & First Aid certifications minimum

Must be able to successfully pass a comprehensive background check 

Must be computer proficient and possess experience of Microsoft Office 365, Google Suite, Slack, and able to learn new software as needed 

Preferred Skills

Teaching experience

Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder certifications

Age 20+ with a minimum of 4 years driving experience, excellent driving record, and a valid driver's license

Ability to communicate verbally and teach in Spanish

Experience in a related field such recreation, education, or human services field

Previous employment experience at Keystone Science School 

Work Schedule

This is a part-time, seasonal position. 

The specific work schedule of this internship will be decided based on both KSS programming needs or any requirements set by your higher education institution. Typical working hours could be 9:00 am – 5:30 pm, or 7:30am-11:30am and 4:30pm-8:30pm. 

Work Environment

This position requires the employee to work in close contact with their teammates.  The office space is small and the employee must have the ability to stay focused while others are working in close proximity.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but varies seasonally due to programs and staffing on campus.  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee while performing the essential functions of this job. 

Salary

The hourly base rate is $15 per hour with an increased pay for fluent Spanish speakers. Benefit eligibility will be determined when hired depending on hours worked and length of service. 

Physical Requirements 

Able to work a majority of the time outside at high altitude in varying conditions such as uneven and slick terrain, or unpredictable weather and situations. 

Physically able to assist participants with recreation equipment during activities.

Able to lift a minimum of 75 lbs. with assistance.

Dexterity, auditory and visual acuity to operate computers and phones or mobile devices.

Auditory and visual acuity to interact with guests, students, clients on a daily basis.

Able to successfully manage multiple, high priority tasks in a fast-paced and oftentimes crowded and noisy environment.