Environment for the Americas

Start Date: November 11th, 2024 – June 23rd, 2025 (32 weeks, start date is flexible).

Compensation: $650 per week, housing available (if needed), assistance with travel costs to site, and ability to qualify for Public Lands Corp non-competitive hiring authority upon completion of the internship.

Application Due: October 14th, 2024 (Applications reviewed as received).

Environment for the Americas’ Diversity Internship Program seeks to engage ethnically and racially diverse young professionals in natural resource careers. Additional requirements:

• A valid driver’s license to drive a government vehicle.
• Be authorized to work in the U.S
• Be able to pass a federal background check.

*A personal vehicle is recommended for this position

Position Description: 

The Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex (WVNWRC) is comprised of four incredible Refuges: Ankeny, just south of Salem; Baskett Slough north of Dallas, and William L. Finley south of Corvallis. The new Willamette Valley Conservation Area was just established in August but does not provide public access at this time.  The Refuges support some of the largest and most ecologically significant blocks of native habitat in the Willamette Valley. The Refuges’ seasonal wetlands and farmed fields provide important resting and feeding areas for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds within the Pacific Flyway and support the core population of wintering geese in the Valley. Visitors to the Refuges frequently view herds of Roosevelt elk, bobcats, a variety of bird species, and they enjoy a diverse number of habitats in which to hike and observe wildlife: oak savanna, wet prairie, upland prairie, riparian corridors, emergent and deep-water marshes, and Douglas fir forests.

WVNWRC is looking for an intern to support and promote their education and community engagement work.  A focal interest of the complex is to weave the Refuge Complex into the local Latino culture as a resource, destination, and asset. The intern will work with partners and in communities throughout the mid-Valley implementing regular bilingual (Spanish & English) programs. The intern will be involved in facilitating bilingual programs, school field trips, an art program with the Boys and Girls Club, bird walks, and monthly family/community events centered around the 2025 conservation theme of “Native Plants Use Less Water”.

Primary Duties Include:

• Coordinate nature programs and foster relationships with identified partners including Latino Organizations in Benton, Linn, Polk, and Marion counties.
• Help lead the Marion and Polk Boys and Girls Club STEAM project. Club kids participate in bilingual nature programs, onsite field trip, and produce artwork inspired by wildlife. Artwork is displayed and winners get their art produced as an Ankeny Hill Nature Center sticker. 
• Help coordinate and implement Winter Wildlife Field Days | Días de Campo as a member of the steering committee.
• Implement Ankeny Hill Nature Center (AHNC) educational programs and join the AHNC Operations Team. 
• Create bilingual content including publications, signage, and curriculum for the Refuge Complex.
• Host additional bilingual interpretation and/or environmental education events at the three Refuges in the Complex and their surrounding communities: Corvallis, Albany, Salem, Keizer, Dallas, Monmouth, and Independence. 
• Assist the Visitor Services team with everyday logistics.
  
  

Qualifications: 

• Fluent in Spanish & English both verbally and written. Being a native Spanish speaker is a plus.
• Has experience in education and/or working with youth.
• Has a passion for nature and conservation.
• Desire to engage with the Latino community and other minority groups. 
• Takes initiative, is hardworking, self-motivated, and reliable.
• Works well in a team.
• Experience with program development and facilitation is preferred.
• Experience with community engagement is ideal.
• Experience with video editing and design software is a plus.
• Experience in marketing, publication design, and/or social media is helpful.

Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority (PLC)
The Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority is a special hiring authority available to qualifying interns. The intern must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old, inclusive, or a veteran up to age 35 and complete 640 hours of work on an appropriate conservation project to be eligible for this hiring authority. Upon successful completion of the PLC project(s), the intern is eligible for two years to be hired non-competitively into a federal seasonal, term, or permanent position. The applicant must apply to a PLC-eligible position advertised on USAJobs.govand be selected off a non-competitive certificate of eligibility. For more information, see DOI Personnel Bulletins 11-02, 12-13, and 17-03.

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.