Temporary Outdoor Education Intern

Join Powdermill Nature Reserve’s education team and engage visitors with the natural history of the area! Powdermill Nature Reserve, Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s environmental research center, seeks outdoor educators to work both independently and collaboratively with Powdermill Education staff. Interacting with visitors of Powdermill will be the primary responsibility of this position, and enthusiasm for sharing a love of nature is key for success in this position. Candidates possessing knowledge of the natural history of the Laurel Highlands or similar area and those currently enrolled in or recently graduated from undergraduate programs in science or education preferred. 

This position is visitor-focused and requires providing prompt, friendly, accurate responses to inquiries from program participants and Nature Center visitors. Weekend work may be required. Outdoor Educators are responsible for leading instruction for Powdermill Education Programs, planning educational experiences based on lesson plans and other resources provided by CMNH Education staff, and working collaboratively with a team of educators and assistants to deliver effective, engaging, and safe learning experiences. Outdoor Educators will give and receive constructive criticism with the goal of developing their pedagogy skills and the quality of educational experiences. This will be facilitated by participation in professional development meetings structured by CMNH Education.  

The successful candidate(s) must have on-site availability Tuesday to Saturday, 9:45 am to 4:15 pm. This internship runs June 2025 through August 2025.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, K-12 education, natural sciences, or related field, and 1 year of professional experience in a relevant field is preferred. For candidates with professional experience in education, knowledge of best-practices in teaching in outdoor settings, guiding student-directed inquiry, planning differentiated instruction, using authentic assessment, conducting learner-centered activities for large groups, experience with positive behavior support systems, and co-teaching is preferred. For candidates with professional experience in natural sciences or related field, experience with hands-on learning and public engagement in outdoor settings is preferred.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:  This position requires energetic and charismatic individuals who are interested in helping children experience nature first-hand in a welcoming, safe, and scientific learning environment.  First aid and CPR certification is required and can be obtained through Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh after hiring.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This position typically requires constant mobility around the Nature Center, and outdoors on and off trails for several hours at a time. Work includes occasional hiking, crossing cold streams, carrying education supplies up to 50 lbs. over rough terrain on forested trails, perhaps in inclement weather.  

Candidates will be considered qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Greeting and orienting visitors to available learning opportunities and trails; 
• Providing a welcoming and enjoyable experience to the Nature Center; 
• Assisting with Nature Center operations such as staffing the gift shop, conducting visitor surveys; 
• Facilitating drop-in activities for all-ages nature exploration; and 
• Spending time in the field with scientific staff to learn more about research at Powdermill. 

Additionally, the intern will develop a capstone project with their mentor that focuses on a developing area of interest. The culmination of their efforts will be the development of new resources, activities, and visitor experiences. Potential topics for this year’s intern include participatory science, regional environmental impact, and arts-integration in environmental education.