Environmental Communications Intern

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is hiring! 

Are you a student who is passionate about storytelling, loves interacting with people, and committed to supporting the Gardens’ IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) goals? We're looking for an Environmental Communications Intern excited about inspiring meaningful connections among people, plants, and nature in one of the most beautiful settings in Maine. See the full listing on our website: https://www.mainegardens.org/employment/ 

The Environmental Communications Internship would prepare you to enter the field of environmental or museum education by providing hands-on experience with interpretation, informal education, classes, and demonstrations in a public garden setting. In particular, the intern in this position will immerse themselves in a conversational approach to talking about climate change and environmental issues, interacting with visitors, and providing hands-on informal education to the public. This internship allows students to learn how the Education Department leverages the incredible resource that is our landscape and gardens for a wide variety of learning modes and settings to serve our diverse customer and visitor base. 

• Full-time, hourly, $15.75 per hour 
• Mid-May through Late August 2023 
• Apply by emailing your resume and cover letter to scallan@mainegardens.org. 

Qualifications: 

• Must enjoy and be comfortable interacting with the public.   
• Solid organizational skills. 
• Enthusiastic and engaging storyteller 
• An interest in environmental issues, plants, nature, and the outdoors, and a desire to learn more about the role of education in a public garden and museum setting.  
• Some coursework/experience in the field of education or the natural sciences is preferred.  
• Experience using databases and spreadsheets is preferred.     
• Commitment to working across the organization to support the integration of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) principles into CMBG’s internal operations and its relationships with visitors and guests.  

Primary Functions: 

• Learn the art and science of live interpretation in a public setting while leading facilitated dialogue tours and live interpretation at stationary exhibits like the Butterfly House and Learning Apiary 
• Assist with assessment surveys for new grant-funded tours and stationary exhibits through public interviews, followed by data entry. 
• Support volunteers facilitating climate change conversations by assisting with volunteer training, development, and schedule management as needed. 
• Support additional interpretive experiences such at our Discovery Cart, Native Bee exhibit, and docent training and support. 
• Support daily informal educational activities in the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden and adult classes as needed. 
• Gain experience in all aspects of coordinating a busy education department. 
• Learn and deliver best practices in science communication and visitor engagement.