Education Intern (Two Positions)

Full-time Exempt Position: 40 Hrs./wk
Salary: $25,000 plus housing on site
Benefits: Bi-weekly pay by direct deposit. Housing on-site, including wi-fi, heat, electricity, and water. Ten vacation days, to be scheduled based on program load. Invaluable experience working at an environmental not-for-profit.
Application Deadline: Posting will remain active until the positions are filled

The Watershed Institute is seeking candidates to fill two Education Intern positions. The internship provides training and experience in a wide range of environmental education activities. The Education Interns work collaboratively with the education team and report to the Education Director. The Watershed Center, located in Pennington, NJ, is LEED-Platinum Certified and includes exhibit halls, classrooms, a lab, and is surrounded by an outdoor classroom of 980 acres of fields, forests, a pond, and streams. The Watershed Institute is committed to building a culturally diverse organization and strongly encourages applications from people of color.

The Education Interns work collaboratively with Education Staff to design and teach a wide variety of hands-on programs. These programs include public programs for all ages, including weekly preschool classes, school programs, special events and festivals, and the Watershed Nature Camp. Education Interns will also assist with the care of a small collection of education animal ambassadors. The interns will create a personal portfolio documenting the internship and a final intern project. Other duties may be requested to maintain departmental and organizational continuity such as registering visitors for programs and operating the gift shop sales station.

• Qualifications:
  
• Minimum age of 21
• Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time; ability to lift and carry 25 lbs.
• Ability and enthusiasm for working outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Degree or college coursework in ecology, education, environmental studies, or a related field.
• Passion for teaching and sharing nature with others.
• Strong experience working with children in an outdoor setting.
• Excellent communication skills with people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Friendly, personable, service-oriented attitude.
• Patience, flexibility, and punctuality.
• Eagerness to learn and work hard.
• Willingness to collaborate, cooperate, and communicate with co-workers.
• Knowledge of local ecology and natural history is beneficial.
• Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle is highly desirable.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter including a brief statement on what contribution you will make to strengthen our diverse working, learning and living environment; your resume; and a list of references.
Electronic submissions are required. Send all necessary documentation to Anna Hill [email protected] using the subject line: Internship Application, Your last name.

Animal Care Specialist - Part-time, In Person

Animal Care Specialist – Part time position
Salary is $20 per hour
Part-time: 15 –20 hours per week.

The Watershed Institute is seeking an experienced animal care worker to oversee the health and well-being of a collection of reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects. The animal ambassadors are part of the Discovery Room Exhibits in the LEED-Platinum Watershed Center. 

The Watershed Institute is committed to building a culturally diverse organization and strongly encourages applications from people of color.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor the health and well-being of the animals
• Maintain exhibits, including cleaning tanks, and keeping a welcoming and safe environment
• Supervise, train, and mentor Critter Care volunteers
• Keep inventory of animal food, supplies, and equipment; order as needed
• Present occasional animal shows for groups. Greet and engage with Discovery Room visitors

General Qualifications:

• Experience with animal care in a public setting
• Ability to organize and supervise volunteers, including teenagers
• Comfortable speaking with visitors and presenting critter shows to small groups
• Communication skills; written, verbal, and listening
• Strong spirit of cooperation and teamwork

Regular working hours are flexible, some evening and weekend hours are required.

To Apply: Submit your resume, cover letter and two letters of recommendation to [email protected]. Please reference Animal Care Specialist in your email subject heading.

The Watershed Institute is an equal opportunity employer.

Special Events and Rentals Coordinator

Full-time Exempt Position (Tuesday-Saturday) 40 hrs./wk.
Salary: $40,000 -$45,000

Benefits: Health Insurance, Life & LTD Insurance, PTO (Paid Time Off), and Retirement 403B Plan.
Application Deadline: 12/23/2022

The Watershed Institute is dedicated to keeping water clean, safe, and healthy, and pursues its mission through programs in environmental advocacy, science, education, and land conservation. The organization is headquartered at the LEED-Platinum Watershed Center on a 950-acre natural reserve near Pennington, New Jersey. We are seeking an experienced Special Events and Rental Income Coordinator to manage the Watershed Institute’s events, fundraisers, and rental income from outside groups. The Watershed Institute is committed to building a culturally diverse organization and strongly encourages applications from people of color.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of event planning from conception to post-event.
• Work collaboratively with multiple departments to produce small and large-scale events that include a large fundraising gala, community events, conferences, and professional gatherings.
• Serve as point person for all rental inquiries including meeting with clients, promoting the venue, and working with vendors.
• On-site management of events for rental clients.
• Coordinate and collaborate with Watershed departments to establish needs for events and serve as a liaison among departments throughout the planning process.
• Coordinate with several volunteers and staff committees to deliver three signature Watershed events – Trail Run, Butterfly Festival, and FEST gala.
• Plan and facilitate the organization of all events, including contract negotiations, venue preparation, catering, entertainment, equipment, and décor.
• Oversee guest experiences from conception through post-event, managing on-site preparations, production, and event breakdown, ensuring consistent, high-level service throughout all phases.
• Nurture and build relationships with vendors to craft and implement creative and logistical aspects of all events.
• Troubleshoot and manage any challenges and opportunities that arise before, during and after an event. Ensure all post-event details are completed.
  

Core Competencies

• Proven success as an event planner or coordinator.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Knowledgeable and familiar with the local and regional catering industry.
• Experience in building/maintaining vendor relationships.
• Excellent organizational skills, including multitasking, time management, and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to work, adjust, and make swift decisions under pressure.
• Flexibility to work nights and weekends.
  
• Ability to collaborate with diverse needs, personalities, and work styles with optimism and a solution-discovery mindset.
• Comfortable with technology and able to manage and use different software platforms for events.

Education & Training

• We encourage all candidates to apply, even if they do not currently meet all the requirements. Intuitive knowledge and transferable skills from other relevant work      experience matter.
• Previous experience working within the hospitality and catering industry is highly desired.
• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a relevant field desired (previous professional experience can substitute for education). 

  How to apply: Please send a letter of interest and resume to Kevin Walsh, Chief of Finance & Administration at [email protected]. Subject line: Special Events and Rentals Coordinator and your last name.

The Watershed Institute is an equal-opportunity employer.