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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, Kaiser Park in Coney Island and Hallet's Cove Beach, Astoria, Queens. Coastal Classroom will provide after-school programming for up to 20-30 middle school students at each of the 4 locations, using site-specific inquiry-based lessons to stimulate meaningful learning experiences in their own communities.
Between mid-October and December, 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 fellowship opportunity for ambitious 11th or 12th 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.
COMPENSATION: $16.50 per hour
The Coastal Classroom internship is an exciting opportunity. High school students who complete the apprenticeship will:
- Learn more about coastal ecology
- Receive training in program facilitation and peer instruction
- Facilitate activities and provide instruction for groups of upper elementary and middle school-aged peers
- Earn paid Fall employment
- Learn valuable skills that will help them in the workplace for years to come
Interns will be placed at one of 4 locations:
- Kaiser Park in Coney Island
- Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan
- Bushwick Inlet Park, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
- Hallet’s Cove Beach, Astoria, Queens
Internships will begin the third week of October and last 12 weeks, depending on the site
- Interns will work a total of 2-4 hours per week
- Interns will earn a minimum hourly wage of $16.50/hour for the fall internship.
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, 2025)
- 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 October and 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
