Larimer County Parks & Open Lands Job Expectations
Education Program Intern

Department: Larimer County Parks and Open Lands
Program: Education
Location: The Bison Visitor Center

The Education intern will assist the Education Coordinator in the implementation of the Education Program within the Larimer County Parks and Open Lands.

• Assists with the administration of the Education Program within the Larimer County Parks and Open Lands Department, under the direction and supervision of the Education Coordinator
• Provide excellent customer service to visitors and staff while sharing your enthusiasm and knowledge of education and interpretive principles and processes
• Remain professionally neutral in areas of public policy, politics, religion, etc. when "on duty"
• Assist in the collection or creation of props for volunteer educators to use as enhancements for their programs
• Assist other Parks and Open Lands staff as capable and/or as needed
• Assist Education Coordinator in the design and presentation of information to the public including maps, photos, display boards, brochures, flyers, slide and video presentations
• Assist the Education Coordinator in preparing education plans and other education materials for Parks and Open Lands properties
• Organize, assist and participate on public tours to properties that are not yet open to the public
• Gather and analyze data related to assigned projects, conduct research, prepare reports, and recommendations
• Assist in preparing for and organizing conferences, presentations, meetings, continuing education seminars, and photo displays
• Assist with updating web site information ( www.larimer.org/naturalresources/openlands)
• Assist in the Small Grants Program administration, including preparing materials, working with applicants and Open Lands Advisory Board members, managing the grant disbursements and follow up
• Assist with general administrative procedures (database entry, filing, organizing literature references)

• Be interested in working in the interpretive or environmental education profession/s
• Be enthusiastic & helpful - if you don't know the answer, offer to put them in touch with someone who does
• Be friendly, courteous and professional when dealing with staff and visitors
• Enjoy interacting with the public and answering their questions
• Ability to assess the situation in order to communicate effectively
• At a minimum, complete a general volunteer orientation and the FREE basic training course
• Agree to a background check
• Good physical condition
• Provide your own reliable transportation
• Abide by Parks and Open Lands regulations and safety guidelines

• Prepare and train volunteers to carry out their duties
• Organize and schedule volunteers in an efficient and timely manner
• Provide necessary equipment and supplies (as budget allows)
• Provide resource information and make available for check out
• Evaluate training and performance of volunteers
• Recognize and reward volunteers as valued staff members

• Be knowledgeable and prepared for assignments
• Provide excellent customer service to staff and visitors
• Be responsible to find a replacement, if unable to meet your scheduled obligations
• Provide your own reliable transportation
• Provide your own "creature comforts" as needed - water, raingear, sunglasses, sunscreen.
• Be on time

• Possible heat exhaustion from too little water
• Rattlesnakes in summer
• Weather related risks such as lightning, cold, heat, etc.
• Hoarseness due to projecting your voice above the wind
• Visitors that may become confrontational

The Larimer County Parks & Open Lands department is not obligated to provide a placement, nor are you obligated to accept the position offered. From time to time photos may be taken of you while you are on-duty. These photos may be used for publications such as the Open Lands Annual Report or the Open Lands Calendar or other public outreach materials. Opportunities for volunteers are provided without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex or age. Larimer County is committed to equality of opportunity.