Coastal Classroom High School Intern, Spring

POSITION SUMMARY

City Parks Education has been offering interdisciplinary environmental education programs in schools and parks since 1992.  The Coastal Classroom after-school program focuses on coastal ecology, water quality, urban waterfront restoration and preservation on the NYC waterfront, with sites in Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan, Bushwick Inlet Park in Williamsburg and Kaiser Park in Coney Island and Conference House Park in Staten Island.  Coastal Classroom will provide after-school programming for up to 20-30 middle school students at each of the 3 locations, using site-specific inquiry-based lessons to stimulate meaningful learning experiences in their own communities.   

Between March and June, the Coastal Classroom after-school program will engage middle school students in coastal ecology and maritime training, through instruction as well as trips to coastal areas and visits to organizations performing similar work.  

CPF has developed this internship opportunity for ambitious 11^th or 12^th grade high school students to gain hands-on experience and explore the environmental education sector, while helping to promote stewardship of our waterways and coastal areas.  Selected interns will gain valuable work experience, putting their skills to use while expanding their knowledge of the field. 

The Coastal Classroom internship is an exciting opportunity. High school students who complete the apprenticeship will: 

1. Learn more about coastal ecology 
2. Receive training in program facilitation and peer instruction  
3. Facilitate activities and provide instruction for groups of upper elementary and middle school-aged peers
4. Learn valuable skills that will help them in the workplace for years to come.

Interns will be placed at one of 3 locations: 

• PS288 - Kaiser Park in Coney Island
• Hallet's Cove - Astoria
• IS52 - Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan
• PS84 - Bushwick Inlet Park, Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Internships will run from March to June, depending on the site

Interns will work a total of 3-6 hours per week

COMPENSATION: $16 per hour

Responsibilities:

• Work as team members to assist lead educator, primarily on site 
• Help lead groups of middle school students in developmentally appropriate lessons about marine ecology and/or rowing (rowing at Kaiser Park only)
• Support lead educator to complete occasional office work, such as assisting in lesson preparation, inventorying and other related tasks as needed
• Contribute to an ongoing blog for the CPF website and support the gathering of materials and anecdotes for our Facebook page
• Assist with data collection and recordkeeping. 
• Help maintain, repair and protect boats, tools, and equipment, including waders, nets, buckets, water quality kits and other gear 
• Assist in quick setup and breakdown, including moving heavy equipment (waders, nets, moving cart) and other physically-involved tasks

Qualifications:

• Be enrolled in High School
• Be at least 16 years old (by Oct. 1, 2024) 
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of coastal ecology
• Have an interest in working with upper elementary and middle school-aged students
• Commit to attending the training and internship work schedule
• Strong interest and basic knowledge of coastal ecology, such as marine ecosystems, marine life, data collection, and data analysis.
• On-water experience including basic navigational skills
• Commitment to helping younger students develop an interest in marine ecology
• Commitment to punctuality and attendance
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team essential
• Willingness to develop new skills and “can do” attitude required 
• A desire to work outdoors from September to November
• Willingness to assist fully with physical aspects of setup and breakdown of the site to the extent of your ability
• Commitment to Coastal Classroom’s mission

ABOUT CITY PARKS FOUNDATION

At City Parks Foundation (CPF), we are dedicated to invigorating and transforming New York City parks into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban life through arts, environmental education, sports, and community building programs for all New Yorkers. Our ethos is simple: we believe thriving parks mean thriving communities.

Community engagement includes Partnerships for Parks, a public-private program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks, which supports and champions a growing network of community leaders who care and advocate for the transformation of our neighborhood parks and the Parks and Open Space Partners-NYC coalition of conservancies and alliances. We also administer the NYC Green Fund, a regranting program for parks and open space nonprofits and grassroots organizations.

We produce SummerStage, the iconic free, outdoor performing arts festival in NYC, presenting world-class artists from across the globe and our own neighborhoods on our mainstage in Central Park and in local parks in all five boroughs, and our Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre and roving PuppetMobile present marionette puppet theater throughout New York City.

We connect youngsters to nature in the urban environment through progressive, experiential teaching. Using parks as classrooms, we provide learning experiences and hands-on activities in urban forests, coastal areas, and gardens.

Free golf, tennis, track & field, soccer, and fitness programs bring high-quality instruction and equipment into areas where few organized athletic opportunities exist. We offer leveled training, year-round scholarship coaching, and special pro events.