River Bend Nature Center offers two different naturalist internships: nine-month school year Naturalist Educator Interns and three-month Summer Program Naturalists. See the box below for the current status of our internship application processes.

Contact Elaine Loranz or Barb Hurley or Heather Rickerl with any questions
regarding the positions.

Summer 2009 Positions filled

Naturalist Educator 2009-2010 Positions open

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"River Bend has an intern program like no other I've found. The focus on training; improving skills and experience; developing new curricula, programs, and displays; and allowing interns to coordinate large events and county-wide waste education programs has honestly changed me as a person."
- Leah G., school year and summer intern

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Naturalist Educator Intern
2009-2010 school year
River Bend Nature Center

Position: Naturalist Educator Intern (4)
Status: Temporary, Full-time
Benefits: $200 stipend per week plus housing in nearby offsite 4 bedroom house;extensive training and professional development; funds for classes or conference; two weeks paid vacation
Duration: September 1, 2009 through May 28, 2010
Deadline: April 30, 2009 or when filled
Hours: 40 hrs. per week, including some weekends

Position Description
Lead elementary through middle school field experiences, help develop expanding public outreach programming, and participate in all aspects of the nature center operations on 750 acres of woods, prairie, and wetlands in southeastern Minnesota. A well-defined, diverse curriculum offers a progression of hands-on learning experiences and professional growth opportunities. These experiences help interns develop a foundation in interpretation, gain confidence as an outdoor educator, grow in understanding the natural world, learn skills in program development, experience managing independent projects, receive exposure to land management operations, work with volunteers, participate in special events, contribute to newsletters, design brochures and displays, and interact with the general public.

Benefits
$200 stipend per week plus housing in nearby offsite 4 bedroom house;extensive training and professional development; funds for classes or conference; two weeks paid vacation

Qualifications
We seek enthusiastic and hard working individuals with a passion for teaching and working with people. College graduates, or students with a minimum of three years college study, are encouraged to apply.
Required:

• Minimum of three years college study
• Demonstrated genuine interest in children and enthusiasm for learning and teaching about nature in an outdoor setting
• General familiarity with the natural environment
• Experience working with children, preferably in an outdoor setting
• Ability to relate with people of all ages and abilities in a positive manner
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills
• Willingness to work cooperatively and flexibly as part of a small staff team and to work flexible hours as needed
  

Application Procedure

An information packet is available. Please email or send a résumé, contact information for three references, and a thoughtful letter of application stating why you are interested in the position to:

Heather Rickerl, Program Coordinator
River Bend Nature Center
P.O. Box 186
Faribault, Minnesota 55021
507.332.7151 or fax 507.332.0656
rickerl@rbnc.org

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"If it were not for all these wonderful and varied experiences at RBNC I would not have been as well prepared for my first full time job the following year nor for the many years of programming and program management that I have had in my career. The internship gave me the basic tools that jump-started my career." - Allison D., school year intern

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