education assistant
Seasonal Employment

Duration:       February 16, 2010 through May 2010,
                        with potential to from May - August 2010

Location:       Sacramento based, but may also work in Placer, Solano, and Yolo counties.

Pay:                $8.00 per hour

Description: As part of its education program, California Waterfowl offers many educational programs to the public including Junior Duck Stamp classroom presentations, field trips, outreach at festivals, and the Yolo Nature Bowl Competition to name a few.  The objective of the internship is to assist California Waterfowl in scheduling and presenting lessons to elementary school students using the Junior Duck Stamp Program along with teaching about wetlands, waterfowl, and conservation at various other events. The intern will interact with teachers, students, the public, and volunteers in a positive, motivating manner as a representative of California Waterfowl.  If the intern is motivated and qualified, he or she may be asked to stay with California Waterfowl over the summer to additionally aid in waterfowl banding youth days and research. 

Spring duties will include:

• Outreach: Contact elementary schools, after-school programs, and youth groups to set appointments for presentations, in-service meetings, and workshops.
• Educate/Interpret: Use available resources to present fun indoor and outdoor lessons on wetlands, waterfowl, observation skills, field sketching, basic drawing techniques, and more.  Must be comfortable teaching with bird artifacts and talking about hunting.
• Project development: Work alongside California Waterfowl staff to develop and present articles, field trips, programs, and festival activities.
• Respond to parent and educator inquiries about various California Waterfowl programs and events.
• Assist with California Waterfowl field trips, festivals, Nature Bowl competition, and other programs as needed.
• Provide periodic written reports of progress and contacts.

Potential summer duties:

• Secure, organize, and lead youth at waterfowl banding field days.
• Aid California Waterfowl Biologists with banding as needed.
• Provide Junior Duck Stamp presentations to requesting summer programs.
• Provide periodic written reports of progress and contacts.
• Attend Pacific Flyway Decoy Association festival with youth activity and aid with Junior Duck Stamp ceremony and awards banquet.
• Lead CYC youth groups on field days at Grizzly Island.

The assistant will travel in a California Waterfowl vehicle to presentation and event sites throughout the Sacramento, Solano, Yolo, and Placer counties and work mainly within an 8 am to 5 pm schedule with some required weekend dates. The position will begin on February 16, 2010 and run through May 2010, unless asked to stay on for summer banding efforts.  Hours can be flexible and vary from 20-30 hours per week.

Applicants require basic wildlife/conservation biology knowledge. Public speaking skills a must, and experience working with elementary age youths preferred. General knowledge of North American waterfowl, wetland habitats, and art are a plus, but not required. Pursuit of a degree in wildlife biology, conservation education, interpretation, wildlife illustration, or related field is preferred. The assistant must be energetic, organized, reliable, self-motivated, and available to work on event weekends. Screening processes include a DMV records check and fingerprinting/background check.

For more information about the Junior Duck Stamp program visit www.caljrduckstamp.org. To apply, send resume and cover letter to Jen Tolman:

Jen Tolman, Education Coordinator
(916) 648-1406 x102
jennifer_tolman@calwaterfowl.org
(The California Waterfowl Association is an equal opportunity employer.)