Description: The CEI intern will work with the Great Lakes Research and Education Center (GLREC) staff at Indiana Dunes National Park to develop and deliver research learning experiences for visitors related to Indiana Dunes and Great Lakes natural resources. This work is part of the GLREC’s goal to develop programs that highlight the science of stewardship and how science informs resource management decisions. The programs will be part of the park’s Back to the Beach strategy where we aim to bring content to visitors at the busiest places of our park – the beach.

The intern will work with park staff (GLREC, RM, Interpretation/Outreach) to (1) design fun and creative approaches to engage visitors in park science (2) implement programs, (3) improve science communication and outreach and (4) assess the visitor response. The science communication piece may consist of delivering pop-up programs to visitors, assisting and directing citizen science programs, and generating digital and print media. Specific topics that could be included are: the Dragonfly Mercury Project, threatened and endangered species, social trail monitoring and restoration, water quality, aquatic invasive species, plastic pollution, and the nearshore environment. Special focus will be on fostering an appreciation for the park’s natural resources while working to reduce visitor impact.

Specific tasks and responsibilities include: 

• Undertaking basic research and information gathering to develop programs.
• Developing outreach materials (e.g. pop-ups, print, digital) and social media content focused on communicating science, engaging visitors in science, and promoting resource stewardship.
• Assessing visitor reaction and response to educational/outreach materials, approaches, and experiences.

Qualifications: 

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability and interest to communicate and engage with visitors of all ages and backgrounds
• Knowledge or strong interest in natural resources, resource management, Indiana Dunes, the Great Lakes, environmental science, environmental education, science communication
• Experience and interest in science communication, including social media (Facebook, Instagram, media Reels)
• Desire to work outside/comfortable working in the outdoors in all weather conditions, including activities in the water like swimming and kayaking
• Bilingual in Spanish and English is helpful. The main language of materials will be English; however, being able to produce materials and/or communicate with visitors in Spanish would be welcomed.
• Reliable personal transportation is required.to get to, and move about, the park. Indiana Dunes has many individual beaches and units. The intern must be able to use their own transportation to move around the park as needed.

Location: In-person and on-site at the Indiana Dunes National Park in Porter, Indiana, at least 4-days per week. Remote work may be permitted one-day per week and must be coordinated and scheduled with supervising staff. Some weekend work will be required to participate in citizen science and outreach activities.

Salary: All interns in the IISG program will be paid $17.00 per hour and minimum of 37.5 hours per week and up to 40 hours for 10 weeks, starting no later than June 2, 2025, and end no earlier than August 8, 2025. All interns will temporarily employed through Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.

Mission Statement

The National Park Service is dedicated to conserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Service is also responsible for managing a great variety of national and international programs designed to help extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Description: The Community Outreach and Education Intern will develop and implement educational programs aimed at increasing public engagement with urban waterways and ongoing environmental initiatives, focusing on engaging the diverse communities that reside near the south branch of the Chicago River. With supervision from Urban Rivers staff, they will plan and execute in-person events that communicate (1) the ecological dynamics of modern urban waterways, (2) the importance of ongoing stewardship and restoration initiatives, and (3) other opportunities for local engagement with these efforts. These in-person events will center around kayaking, community science, and trash cleanup, and may evolve to include other topics over the course of the summer. The intern will also assist with the recruitment of individuals and organizations interested in partnering for programs and events.

When not executing in-person events, the intern will be responsible for crafting educational digital materials representing the core focus areas. These digital materials will provide an alternative means of engagement for community members who are not able to attend in-person programming.

As Urban Rivers’ work is quite interdisciplinary, the intern will also have the opportunity to engage with other aspects of our work, such as volunteer management, community science, grant writing, and more. While certainly not required, this additional experience may be desirable to those wishing to pursue a career in nonprofits or environmental restoration.

Qualifications:

• Familiarity with any or all of the following Chicago neighborhoods: McKinley Park, Bridgeport, Pilsen, Chinatown, Albany Park, Lincoln Square, Near North (not required, but highly desirable).
• Spanish language proficiency, both spoken and written (not required, but highly desirable).
• Experience in outdoor leadership and/or nature education.
• Experience with public speaking, customer service, or other public-facing work.
• Self-starter with the ability to work both independently and as part of a small team.
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors under a variety of conditions.
• Comfortable working on and around water.
• Safety-first mentality, including attention to detail and the ability to clearly communicate hazards to staff, volunteers, and program participants.
• Ability to carry large physical loads, ~40 pounds, including kayaks.

Location:This position will be either hybrid or fully in-person, with a minimum of one day per week at the Urban Rivers office (1440 N Kingsbury Street, Chicago, IL, 60652) and one day per week at our South Branch location (2754 S Eleanor St, Chicago, IL 60608).

Salary:All interns in the IISG program will be paid $17.00 per hour and work 40 hours for 10 weeks, starting no later than June 2, 2025, and end no earlier than August 8, 2025. All interns will temporarily employed through Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.

Mission Statement
At Urban Rivers, we believe that transforming urban waterways into wildlife sanctuaries is not only an important environmental mission, but also a critical social one. Access to nature and greenspace is not equally distributed in our cities, and historically marginalized communities have been disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation and pollution. We seek to target and transform historically degraded areas of the Chicago River into lush gardens and public walkways that benefit the communities around them, improving environmental quality and increasing access to nature.