POSITION TITLE- Interpretive Ranger Intern

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

This unpaid internship provides an opportunity to learn about current and future ecological restoration efforts on the Fernbank Museum campus and help educate visiting groups during outdoor field trips. With this position interns will have the opportunity to help lead interpretive hikes in Fernbank Forest and assist with restoration activities such as removing invasive plant species and replanting native plant species in forested areas behind the museum. This position includes both science and outdoor education.

SUPERVISOR

This position reports to Fernbank’s Forest Manager  

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Shadow the Forest Manager and Interpretive Rangers during daily activities.  This includes opening and closing procedures, daily procedures and ongoing training.
• Assist in ecological restoration efforts in Fernbank Forest, including removing non-native invasive species.
• Assist with ongoing trail maintenance.
• Assist in greeting, welcoming and providing general assistance to visitors.
• Learn about local ecology of Fernbank Forest and the Piedmont region of Georgia.
• Support outdoor educators with programs, including guided walks and hands-on educational activities in WildWoods and Fernbank Forest.  
• Assist volunteer groups in restoration activities, including removing invasive species (by hand and with tools) and planting native species.
• Assist team members with school and volunteer groups.   
• Help develop new Ranger and educational programs, based on the candidate’s interests.
• Other duties as assigned to help support the mission of Fernbank Museum.

INTERESTS/EXPECTATIONS

• Background and/or strong interest in restoration ecology, botany, education (formal or informal), gardening, horticulture or interpretation in an outdoor setting.  
• Comfortable being outside for multiple hours in varied terrain.  Must also be able to walk/hike up to 2 miles and have physical skills necessary to perform restoration activities (involves some lifting, bending, digging, working with tools, etc.).
• Must be comfortable working with people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Fall and Spring only: Strong interest in working directly with student groups preferred
• Willingness to learn about the program and study/work independently if necessary.  
• Compliance with Museum policies and procedures.

APPLICATION PROCESS:  Interested candidates may submit a cover letter and resume, including availability for the term to which they are applying, to the following email address: Forest@fernbankmuseum.org

Dates of internship: Fall (Sept.-Dec.), Spring (Jan.-May) and Summer (Jun.-Aug.)

TIME COMMITMENT

This internship will follow the school program requirements.  The Forest Manager will work with the candidate to create a work schedule.  The museum is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., seven days a week, so there is some flexibility in scheduling. 

Opportunities are also available without school credit.  Please contact the Forest Manager at Forest@fernbankmuseum.org for more information.