Eco-Innovators College Intern (Academic year)

POSITION SUMMARY

Eco-Innovators is a program for 9th - 12th graders that gives students access to environmental leaders and infrastructure across the City as they work to invent creative projects that push the environmental resiliency movement forward in their own communities. Students make real change as they explore advocacy tools and learn techniques to help solve challenging environmental issues, including expanding green spaces, increasing recycling and reducing waste, and improving energy efficiency.

CPF is seeking two college interns to support the Eco-Innovators year-round Afterschool program. Each College Intern will be assigned to two of four program sites throughout NYC: two Manhattan locations, Brooklyn, and Queens. This internship provides talented college students with hands-on experience working with youth and exploring environmental science education while promoting environmental stewardship, community awareness, and positive youth development. Successful fall candidates will be asked to:

COMPENSATION: $20 per hour

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Directly support and assist Eco-Innovators Program Manager with implementation of curricular programming at two hubs.
- Co-facilitate lessons, activities, service-learning projects, and field experiences for high school students.

- Mentor and assist with supervision of high school students.

- Provide logistical support and complete general administrative duties as needed.
- Support the gathering of materials, photos, anecdotes, and evaluative components of the program.
- Help in managing the safety of up to 25 high school students in NYC parks and other field trips.
- Be willing to engage in light to moderate physical activity outdoors.
- Able to commit to and travel to the program worksites.
- Facilitate two 2-hour sessions at two different sites per week (plus preparation and closing).
- Assist in 1-2 hours of virtual or in-person planning, processing, or analysis of student work per week.
- Attend one to two overnight field trip per semester.
- Commit to 12 sessions per site over the course of 2.5-3 months in the fall semester and again in the with the Eco-Innovators team (manager and additional intern)spring semester, depending on holidays and school closures.
- Commit to 2 overnight field trips per school year 2026-27, transportation and food provided.

QUALIFICATIONS

- Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree (or recent graduate) in education, ecology, biology, environmental science, or a related field, or demonstrating strong interest in environmental STEM or environmental advocacy.
- Some knowledge of and interest in nonprofit operations, environmental education, current environmental issues, and socio-environmental change.
- Willingness and ability to commit to the program schedule and assigned sites.
- Willingness to develop versatility, resourcefulness, collaboration, and creativity.
- Ability to receive feedback, communicate professionally, and collaborate effectively.

ABOUT CITY PARKS FOUNDATION

At City Parks Foundation (CPF), we are dedicated to invigorating and transforming New York City parks into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban life through arts, environmental education, sports, and community building programs for all New Yorkers. Our ethos is simple: we believe thriving parks mean thriving communities.

Community engagement includes Partnerships for Parks, a public-private program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks, which supports and champions a growing network of community leaders who care and advocate for the transformation of our neighborhood parks and the Parks and Open Space Partners-NYC coalition of conservancies and alliances. We also administer the NYC Green Fund, a regranting program for parks and open space nonprofits and grassroots organizations.

We produce SummerStage, the iconic free, outdoor performing arts festival in NYC, presenting world-class artists from across the globe and our own neighborhoods on our mainstage in Central Park and in local parks in all five boroughs, and our Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre and roving PuppetMobile present marionette puppet theater throughout New York City.

We connect youngsters to nature in the urban environment through progressive, experiential teaching. Using parks as classrooms, we provide learning experiences and hands-on activities in urban forests, coastal areas, and gardens.

Free golf, tennis, track & field, soccer, and fitness programs bring high-quality instruction and equipment into areas where few organized athletic opportunities exist. We offer leveled training, year-round scholarship coaching, and special pro events.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. City Parks Foundation does not offer visa sponsorship.