Oregon PSM

Position Description: In support of the mission of the National Park Service, the fundamental work performed by Education Interns is:
Resource Education – Educating area children, teachers and parents about the significance and uniqueness of park resources, conservation and ecologically sound practices and the laws, rules and regulations developed to protect park resources and provide for their safe and non-consumptive use.
Resource Protection – Preserving the natural, cultural and human resources of the park by preventing the degradation, deterioration, and destruction of the ecosystems, scenery, wildlife, historical structures and artifacts; and by preventing the loss and theft of objects, flora, and wildlife through information and education.
This will be achieved through the implementation of a curriculum-based education program.
Project Background and Objectives: Curecanti National Recreation Area/Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has a long-standing and highly successful curriculum-based education program. Launched in 1985, the program has grown to serve over 5,000 students and 500 teachers and parents each year. An extensive program menu is offered for grades K-12, with the majority of programming occurring through outreach to classrooms in surrounding communities. Colorado communities served include Montrose, Olathe, Delta, Crawford, Hotchkiss, Paonia, Lake City, Gunnison, and Crested Butte. Community demand for park programming is high, and relationships are strongly positive.

Scope of Work: The position is 40 hours per week. At least one day per week will be dedicated to program/lesson preparation, gathering materials, researching and becoming familiar with lesson content. Up to four days per week will be spent teaching resource-based lessons in schools (grades pre-K through high school, mainly serving elementary students), or leading field trips to park sites. Projects include developing new lesson plans, maintaining program statistics, and creating visual aids for lessons.
Lessons are guided by Colorado state and national standards and emphasize science, language arts, art, mathematics, and physical education. Lessons and field trips are provided at no cost to schools or teachers.
Lessons are evaluated by the classroom teacher each time they are taught. The NPS Education Specialist also provides program audits and coaching throughout the internship. This allows for continuous improvement and facilitates program relevancy to both the resource and the audience. Interns have the opportunity to hone teaching skills, classroom management skills, and lesson development skills through participating in this internship.