INTERNSHIPS

Career Training Internships for Students

The ELC offers a variety of paid opportunities for students in Indian River County Florida. For both high school and college students, throughout the year our interns help with different programs at the ELC as well engaging with activities with different organizations in our community.

High School Internships

Accepting applications for After School 2021

Career Training for a Sustainable Future
After School High School Internship

We are pleased to offer a 7-week paid internship for highly motivated Indian River County students from low-income families.

About the ELC: The mission of the Environmental Learning Center, a not-for-profit nature center located in Vero Beach, FL, is “to educate, inspire and empower all people, to be active stewards of the environment and their own well-being.” Now in its 33rd year, the organization serves on- and off-site nearly 20,000 children and adults annually through school excursions, camps, adult education, professional development, special event and other programs. Its 64-acre campus is surrounded on three sides by the Indian River Lagoon, an estuary of national significance, and is 1.4 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. The campus includes native plant gardens, an interactive museum including aquaria and touch tank, pontoon boat and canoes, a children’s nature play area, visitor center, gift shop, picnic facilities, and more. One and a half miles of raised boardwalks, trails, docks and elevated lookout stations with educational signage and a wireless audio tour allow guests an educational first-hand experience of mangrove forests and the lagoon.

Scope of Internship: 2021 is shaping up to be an exciting season for growth and learning. The Environmental Learning Center (ELC) seeks motivated interns with multi-disciplinary interests to learn and explore careers leading to a more sustainable future through working with staff and volunteers in teaching camps for children, designing interpretive guest experiences, marketing and communicating our organization’s activities to the public, maintaining the large display public aquaria and touch tank, assisting in general guest services, conducting ecological field research, and receiving mentoring from our nature center staff in all manner of operations.

Eligibility: This internship is open to high school students of at least 16 years of age by September 1st, 2021, who qualify for free and reduced lunch, and are eligible for work in the United States.

Commitment: January 3rd, 2022 through May 27th, 2022. Work schedule varies but generally consists of two, 2-hour days each week for a total of 20 hours per month. Over the span of this 6-month internship we estimate 120-140 hours total. A minimum of 120 hours must be completed in order for the internship to be considered fulfilled.

Compensation, Food, and Transportation: This is a paid internship at the rate of $10 per hour.

Application Deadline: December 31st, 2021 by midnight.

Application Procedure: Complete the application form and email it along with supporting documentation (see application components below) to Sara Piotter, ELC Environmental Educator, at SaraP@discoverelc.org. Contact Sara via email or at 772-589-5050 ext. 111 with any questions.

Application Components:

Completed Application Form.
One page essay describing career interests.
Two letters of reference from teachers or coaches (no relatives please).

Apply Now

College Internships

SUMMER 2021

UNDERGRADUATE SUMMER INTERNSHIP IN EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION

Made possible through the generous support of Quail Valley Charities and Anonymous Donors

Scope of Internship: Summer 2021 is shaping up to be an exciting season for growth and learning. The Environmental Learning Center (ELC) seeks a motivated college intern with multi-disciplinary interests to explore career avenues in environmental education and nature conservation through assisting staff in teaching nature-based educational programs for children, conducting ecological field research, maintaining large display aquaria used for public education about the Indian River Lagoon, and receiving mentoring from environmental education and conservation professionals. Interns must be able to work independently and professionally in a hybrid in-person/online setting, exhibit positive attitudes at all times, and mentor younger students.

About the ELC: The mission of the Environmental Learning Center, a not-for-profit nature center located in Vero Beach, FL, is to educate, inspire and empower all people, to be active stewards of the environment and their own well-being. Now in its 33rd year, the ELC serves on- and off-site over 20,000 children and adults through school excursions, camps, lecture series, adult education, professional development, festivals, and numerous partnerships and other programs. Its 64-acre campus is surrounded on three sides by the Indian River Lagoon, an estuary of national significance, and is 1.4 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. The campus includes native plant gardens, an interactive museum including aquaria and touch tank, pontoon boat and canoes, a children’s nature play area, a visitor center, a gift shop, picnic facilities, and more. Approximately two miles of raised boardwalks, trails, docks, and elevated lookout stations with educational signage and a wireless audio tour also allow guests an educational, immersive experience of mangrove forests and the lagoon.

Eligibility: The internship is open to undergraduate students registered at least part-time at their institution of study for the semesters before and after the summer, who have completed at least one year of coursework at the start of the internship, and who are working towards a four year degree. Applicants must be in good academic standing, be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license, and be eligible for employment in the United States. In accordance with program funder guidelines, the intern selected must be a resident of Indian River County.

Commitment: June 2nd 2021 to July 23rd 2021 Monday-Friday (although some weekend or evening opportunities may be included), approximately 30-40 hours per week for a total of 250 internship hours.
Compensation: This is a paid internship with a $2,500 stipend for completion of all 280 program hours.
Housing: Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation.
Application Deadline: April 1st, 2021.
Application Procedure: Complete the application form and email it along with supporting documentation (see application components below) to Amy Shea, ELC Environmental Educator, at Amy@discoverelc.org. Contact Amy via email or at 772-589-5050 ext. 106 with any questions.