Education Traineeships Beginning on or before June 1. Duration 3-6 months

Are you passionate about informal education, conservation education, or science education? Established through a major gift to the School in the Clouds Campaign, our Education Traineeship is designed to equip the next generation of conservation education leaders with hands-on experience while living at a world-class raptor conservation and education facility.

Trainees will develop essential job skills through direct involvement with programs like our Summer Nature Camp, field trip experiences, off-site programs, and public programs. You will gain hands-on experience working with non-releasable raptor ambassadors, including their care, training, and enrichment while developing the skills to confidently engage and educate audiences of all ages through live presentations.

Hawk Mountain’s Education Traineeship program is an invaluable opportunity for the select candidate to develop skill proficiency, competencies, and hands-on professional experience in:

• Summer Nature camp organizing, teaching, and operating raptor conservation education
• Appalachian ecology education
• Outdoor and experiential education
• Interpretation
• Captive raptor husbandry, handling, enrichment, and training
• Teaching with live animal ambassadors
• Group and classroom management strategies
• American Red Cross certification in Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED
• Lesson planning and curriculum development (as time allows)

Conservation Education Traineeship Details

• Stipend: $800 per month
• On-site housing provided
• Work vehicle available for job-related tasks
• Earn college credit (subject to university approval)

Primary Duties:

• Teach Summer Nature Camps for students in grades 1-6
• Work with our collection of non-releasable raptor ambassadors, including animal husbandry, feeding procedures, enrichment, training, handling, and more
• Assist and ensure smooth operations of ongoing programming responsibilities both on and off site, including but not limited to group programs, weekend programs, virtual programs, Calendar of Events walks and talks, birthday parties, scout events, and guided hikes. 
• Setup, break down, and clean classrooms and other teaching spaces and organize teaching materials physically and virtually.
• Assist with preparing curricula and lesson plans as assigned.
• Engage audiences of all ages in Hawk Mountain’s mission.
• Demonstrate excellent customer service skills with Sanctuary visitors, supporters, program participants, and customers. 
• Adhere to all standard operating procedures.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Students enrolled in an accredited college with coursework in education, conservation, biological sciences, or related fields are eligible to apply.
• Individuals with experience working with children are eligible to apply, even if they are not currently enrolled in an accredited college program. 
• Background clearances- state and federal
• Valid driver’s license

Applications Due: March 1 (however, applications are considered rolling and may be accepted pass the due date on a case-by-case basis)