Position Title: K-12 Environmental Education Intern

Timeframe: September-December, 2024; 10 hours/week

Compensation: $17.80/ hour, not to exceed 120 hours total

Location Position: Hybrid

Canopy is an environmental nonprofit that plants and cares for trees where people need them the most. Our mission is to grow the urban tree canopy in the Midpeninsula communities for the benefit of all. We envision a day when every resident of the San Francisco Midpeninsula can step outside and walk, play and thrive under the shade of healthy trees.

Position Summary: 

Through K-12 programs, high school internships, and adult education programs, Canopy leads Midpeninsula communities to the knowledge, attitude, skills, and actions that support the urban forest. Every year our education programs inspire hundreds of community members and students, not only to understand the science of how trees make our cities healthy and livable, but also to reconnect with trees and nature.

The K-12 Environmental Education intern will support Canopy’s Environmental Educator in leading in-school, tree-focused, hands-on lessons at elementary schools in Ravenswood City School District and Mountain View Whisman Elementary School District. This role will also support the Junior Forester Leader Program, where high school students are trained as outdoor educators and environmental leaders. Lastly, this role will support the Wellness Walk program, which consists of leading high school students on a tree walk through their school campus while incorporating wellness and mindfulness practices.

The K-12 Environmental Education Intern will help facilitate the smooth end-to-end implementation of K-12 programs. In addition to assisting with classroom management, materials, and small group leadership during lessons, the intern will support the preparation, outreach, communication, and record-keeping required to run a successful program. Depending on their skills and interests, the intern may have opportunities to support volunteer recruitment and management, lead educational tablings, develop wellness walk content, or lead portions of a lesson.   

The ideal candidate is highly motivated and organized. It is optimal, though not required, for the intern to have their own car to navigate to sites. Experience with Salesforce is a plus. The internship is paid at a rate of $17.80 per hour, not to exceed a total of 120 hours over the course of the internship. 

By the end of the internship our K-12 Environmental Education Intern will have gained experience in classroom management, lesson preparation and design, and program implementation. The intern will gain valuable insight into the day-to-day work of an environmental educator. By supporting Canopy’s integrated programs, our interns also gain valuable exposure to urban forestry and arboriculture concepts, as well as to environmental nonprofit programs and operations.  

Duties and Responsibilities:

The K-12 Environmental Education Intern supports the Environmental Educator with:

1. Classroom management, small group leadership, and 1:1 student assistance with elementary school lessons and/or Junior Forester Leaders sessions. 

2. Preparing and organizing lesson materials..

3. Facilitating communication with teachers.

4. Record-keeping, including logging Salesforce entries.

5. Creating educational activities for tablings and community events as needed.

6. Supporting management of education volunteers as needed.

7. Researching and developing new content/curriculum as requested. 

8. Other responsibilities as needed.

Required  Qualifications:

1. Experience and/or interest in education, particularly environmental education.

2. Experience working with youth in PreK - 12. 

3. Able to support an inclusive and culturally relevant learning environment.

4. Flexible self-starter and motivated independent worker.

5. Strong organizational and multitasking skills.

6. Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.

7. Works well with a team. 

8. Willingness to learn and adapt in a dynamic work environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Physical Activity Requirements

• Ability to sit and type, frequently.

• Ability to bend, squat, stoop, and stand for long periods of time, regularly.

COVID Vaccination Policy 

Canopy is committed to safeguarding the health of our staff and their families, volunteers, and the community at large. As such, Canopy requires employees to confidentially show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, unless they are unable to receive the vaccine because of a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief or practice. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VII, and applicable state laws, Canopy will make reasonable accommodations.

TO APPLY

Please email your responses (and how you found out about this job) to the following to jobs@canopy.org: 

1. A cover letter. Consider including what drew you to this position, your top two values and how you see them relating, and what you think are the most important traits to be effective in this position. 

2. Your resume. If you don’t have a resume and would like one, there is free resume creation available through JobTrain. Please email JobSeekerServices@JobTrainWorks.org.

Accepting applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 

Equal opportunity employer: Canopy strives to engage, celebrate, and reflect the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We value inclusion and equity in our programs, leadership, and hiring practices. Canopy is a fair chance employer and does not use the e-Verify background check service. We invite anyone to apply regardless of their history and welcome neurodivergent applicants. If you can see yourself in this role, we invite you to apply!