Environmental Volunteers (the “EV”) is an award-winning environmental education organization with 50+ years of experience in sharing a love of nature with thousands of students each year. Our classroom-based programs utilize hands-on learning stations to inspire students, and foster a sense of environmental stewardship.
Environmental Volunteers seeks dedicated college or graduate-level interns for the 2026/2027 academic year. Each intern will participate in delivery of formal classroom programs for grades K-5 and a variety of education projects, as managed by the Director of Programs & Partnerships. The internship will officially begin Sept/Oct and end May/June (depending on interns’ individual availability).
Each intern will work an average of 8-10 hours per week in classrooms throughout the EV delivery area during the school year. Occasional weekend events may also take place in cities outside this delivery area, but will be discussed before interns are assigned to those events. Additional project time will be dependent on interns’ availability.
Note: The EV office is located in the Palo Alto Baylands, but our program delivery area ranges throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties (generally between Foster City and San Jose).
Following the completion of our environmental education training class (see “Training Requirements” below), each intern will take on the following responsibilities:
- Assist in teaching Environmental Volunteers programs to elementary level children
- Work cooperatively with teachers, Environmental Volunteers staff, and volunteers
- Actively demonstrate to children a respect for the environment, humans, and other organisms
- Follow needed program and materials changes within the Environmental Volunteers organization.
- Participate in education projects and kit maintenance as needed and as schedules allow.
Interns should also be prepared to to participate in any of the following:
- Assist with education kits’ inventory and maintenance
- Assist with development and production of new curriculum
- Update online resources pages via Google sites
- Provide back up staffing at outreach, community or tabling events (limited)
- Assist with creating social media content or marketing materials
Qualifications:
Environmental Education Interns should be current undergraduate and/or graduate students, having taken college courses, or having direct experience in, at least one of the following areas: education, environmental science, natural resources, biology, or other similar study areas. The interns should also possess these qualifications:
- Desire to work with elementary school children in the classroom
- Interest in natural science and a desire to learn more about specific topics
- Strong commitment to improving children’s knowledge of the environment
- Ability and desire to work cooperatively with a variety of people and ages
- Ability to manage a fluid schedule
- Good communication skills
- Reliability and dependability
- Careful attention to detail
- Ability to both follow instructions and to work independently
- Basic internet and computer skills, with a willingness to learn specific platforms (Google suite, Canva)
- Familiarity doing online research
- Experience with handicrafts, robotics, or creating art projects, or a willingness to learn
Requirements:
Environmental Education Interns will agree to uphold the Environmental Volunteers mission of promoting understanding of and responsibility for the environment through hands-on science education.
Training requirement: Before the interns will be able to begin teaching, they must complete a special two-day intern training class at the beginning of Fall Quarter to get ready to work in classrooms. Interns must attend both days, and they will be paid for this time. After the initial classroom training, each intern will also complete both an observational service and a supported service in a classroom, accompanied by Environmental Volunteers staff. Exact date and timing will be determined by the available programs schedule. Additionally, interns will be expected to participate in a minimum of 2 enrichment/training workshops each quarter to prepare for the remaining school programs season.
Environmental Volunteers school programs take place during the school day (Mon-Fri, 8AM-3PM). Upon completion of the requisite training, each intern must be available to work at least two days per week during this time period for program delivery, through June 2027. Interns may be asked to participate in occasional weekend programs or projects as well. Due to the nature of the program scheduling, the intern’s schedule will be irregular but flexible.
Note: Each intern will need to provide their own transportation to/from the schools and other sites in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. In addition, interns must possess a valid California driver’s license and must submit proof of auto insurance. As a staff member working with children, each intern will need to be fingerprinted and to do a TB risk assessment; if warranted, a recent negative TB test may be required.
Compensation:
In addition to being paid an hourly wage of $20/hour, interns will be compensated for mileage to/from school sites, and receive paid training, training materials, and mentorship from staff and volunteers.
To apply:
- Please email your resume and a brief cover letter to Toby Goldberg; Director of Programs & Partnerships at programs@environmentalvolunteers.org
- Complete the online application form (see www.environmentalvolunteers.org/careers); this must also be completed and submitted before a candidate will be considered.