Paid internship positions available at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center
Position title: Bridging the Americas/Unidos por las Aves Program Intern
Description: Assist with a cross-cultural, conservation education program called Bridging the Americas/Unidos por las Aves which partners elementary and middle school classes in the United States (primarily in the Washington, DC area) with classes in Latin America (Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Colombia). Students in the partnered classes learn about the migratory birds that connect their communities, the need to protect the far-flung habitats these birds depend on, and about each other’s country and culture. Participating teachers are provided with the tools and support needed to use long-distance migratory birds as an engaging theme for cross-curricular teaching.
Primary duties and responsibilities: Interns will have the opportunity to be involved in many aspects of the management and implementation of this program, including but not limited to: crafting, evaluating, translating and/or adapting educational materials, outreach presentations, and web-based tools for teachers and students in the US and Latin America; facilitating communications between partnered classes in the US and Latin America; planning workshops and other professional development opportunities for teachers; delivering presentations to participating classes; entering and analyzing pre and post survey data to evaluate what students are learning as a result of participating; organizing outreach and fundraising events. Specific projects will be designed to match the intern’s strengths, interests and goals.
Qualifications: Preference will be given to candidates with excellent written and oral communication skills in both Spanish and English; knowledge of birds and relevant conservation issues; familiarity with Latin American cultures; and at least three years of undergraduate coursework. Experience in formal or informal education is a big plus. Latino candidates are encouraged to apply.
Term of appointment and pay: Three to six months commitment with the potential for an extension; 20-32 hours per week; first internship term begins March 2012. Pay is $12.50 per hour.
When to apply: Ongoing. Interested applicants are urged to apply as soon as possible.
To apply: Send the following to Mary Deinlein at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center at deinleinm@si.edu:
- Cover letter;
- resume;
- transcripts from your current and/or previous institutions (unofficial transcripts are acceptable);
- writing samples- one in English, one in Spanish;
- contact information for two references.
Please indicate when you would be available to start, and the desired number of hours per week.
*Funding for these internship positions are made possible by a grant from the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center.
