Five Rivers Naturalist Internship

Thank you for your interest! Before applying, please note the internship schedule: 

Naturalist internships run for 17 weeks and overlap with our public school programming at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. Applicants must be available for the duration of the position. Current schedule is July through October for the fall, and March through June for the spring.  We do not have summer-only internships available at this time, so please consider this before applying. If you are only looking for a summer position, we strongly recommend you look at the DEC Summer Camp opportunities that are listed on Handshake. 

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Five Rivers Naturalist Intern 

The position focuses on environmental education. Interns are responsible for observing and assisting classes, participating in training sessions, and working with students in the outdoors. In spring and fall, interns are most heavily involved with the school program, teaching a wide range of environmental education classes to students. In summer, interns gain experience teaching during the family nature program, senior citizen programs, summer camps, and a series of public nature walks. Interns may also participate in a variety of stewardship and community science projects. The position is full time (37.5 hours per week) and the pay is $15.00/hour.  The spring session runs from approximately late February to late June, and the summer/fall session runs from July through October.   Free housing is provided on site.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must be available for the entire four months of the position.

 Qualifications Anyone with a minimum of two years of college‐level study or equivalent experience may apply. Academic training in natural resources, natural sciences (geology, biology), environmental science, interpretation, education, recreation or a related field is advantageous. Preference will be given to candidates with a strong natural history background, experience with teaching or youth leadership, and a demonstrated interest in environmental education. Interns are expected to have a professional attitude and exemplify the standards of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. A valid driver’s license is required.

To apply, please fill out the application available at this link: https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/5riversnipappl.pdf

Location Five Rivers Environmental Education Center is in eastern New York State, seven miles southwest of Albany, on the outskirts of Delmar, in a rural/suburban area of Albany County. Five Rivers has a small professional staff and broad-based community support. Over one hundred volunteers add greatly to the center’s effectiveness. 

Five Rivers’ 500 acres have a wonderful diversity of habitats. A hemlock-shaded forest stream, wide expanses of open meadow, and many ponds serve as magnets for wildlife. Frequent beaver and deer activity is observed, and more than 225 species of birds have been sighted at the center. A visitor center opened in 2017 houses permanent and changing interpretive exhibits, as well as classroom space. It includes numerous green building features and is LEED certified platinum. Being near a major population area, more than 100,000 visitors come to the center annually. Five Rivers provides guided outdoor lessons to thousands of students throughout the school year. Five Rivers staff also work extensively with educators, providing in-class programs, workshops, and a vast array of teacher loan kits and other materials for use in the classroom and with youth groups. Five Rivers also offers a wide range of public programs on weekends and evenings, including night walks and early morning bird walks.

For questions about the position, please contact Liz Wagner at 518-475-0292 or via email: elizabeth.wagner@dec.ny.gov