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Job Description
Salary: $17.21 – $20.92 Hourly
Location : Santa Rosa, CA
Job Type: Internship
Job Number: -INTRPKC
Department: Regional Parks Department (RPK)
Opening Date: 02/09/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
Position Information
Are you currently a student and interested in connecting with the great outdoors?
Gain experience as an Environmental Education Intern in the Regional Parks Department!
This paid internship position will afford an undergraduate college student excellent hands-on, directly relevant work experience. To qualify for the position, you must be enrolled in a full-time or part-time academic or vocational curriculum at an accredited college or university.
Environmental Education Interns learn about and support the following areas:
- Learn how to and assist in delivering hands-on programs to field trip groups at various park locations ()
- Assist with setup and cleanup of program materials
- Assist with staffing public visitation of the EDC
- Learn how to assist in delivering summer camp programs and nature focused youth development programs
- Support other park programs as needed, such as interpretive nature hikes and special events (which may occur during weekdays, weekends, and evenings)
The ideal candidates will possess:
- A passion for working with children and teaching
- High degree of energy and the ability to improvise, instruct, and ensure the safety of program participants
- Availability for a minimum of two days per week, up to 24 hours/week, and commit to at least 12 months of employment
- A background in natural sciences, natural resources management, biology, or child development
- Familiarity with teaching methodologies and current educational science standards (this is highly desired, but not required as interns will receive training in subject matter and curriculum)
Regional Parks preserves irreplaceable natural and cultural resources, and offers opportunities for recreation and education to enhance the quality of life and well-being of residents and visitors to Sonoma County. The Community Engagement Division plans and delivers a large collection of programs throughout the entire county. There are over 78,000 annual program participants in one or more of Sonoma County Regional Park’s interpretive, recreation, environmental education, outreach, volunteer, youth career pathways, and special event programs.
The environmental education philosophy at Regional Parks is that early experiences in nature support lifelong connections to the outdoors. Since 2002, school fieldtrips have increased student and family awareness, advocacy, and stewardship, furthering Regional Parks’ mission. Environmental education fosters an environmentally literate community through place-based, interactive learning experiences tied with state curriculum standards. Environmental literacy depends on skills and knowledge drawn from the sciences and humanities using inquiry-based learning strategies. We offer a diverse range of curriculum for grades K-8 in concepts related to ecology, biology, earth science, watershed health, climate change and cultural history. Field trip programs are offered at numerous parks across the county with field staff headquartered at the Environmental Discovery Center (EDC) at Spring Lake Regional Park and a developing visitor center in Bodega Bay.
EMPLOYMENT
If selected, students must show proof of student status or vocational program participation by one of the following:
- Course registration material
- Internship registration
- Transcript
Interns are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most employee benefits such as: long-term disability insurance coverage; accrual of vacation and sick leave; participation in the County retirement program; or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Paid interns may meet the eligibility requirements (generally worked 11 consecutive pay periods with a minimum of 440 hours and are scheduled at least 40 hours per pay period) to qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage. Dependent coverage may also be available at employee’s cost. Interns may not work in excess of 1560 hours in a twelve-month period.
This recruitment is being conducted to fill a Park Naturalist Intern position in the Regional Parks department. This employment list may also be used to fill future intern positions as they occur during the active status of this list.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Current enrollment in a full-time or part-time academic or vocational curriculum at an accredited college or university.
Experience: None required.
License: Possession of a valid driver’s license at the appropriate level including necessary endorsements may be required to perform the essential functions of the position.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
Applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed to ensure candidates meet the minimum requirements for the position. Candidates possessing these requirements will be referred to the department for further consideration. The hiring department will contact candidates who appear to best meet the requirements and needs of the position and take further steps in making a selection for the internship.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the application, examination, and department selection processes.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer are contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the to determine the requirements for this position.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications are accepted online at: . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax ), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: JT
HR Technician: KC
IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.
COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: UNREPRESENTED
These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
Health Plan: Choice of five health plans (a PPO, EPO, HMO, and two deductible HMOs) with a County paid premium contribution.
Cash Allowance: In addition to monthly salary, a cash allowance of approximately $600 per month.
Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit
IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.
For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to or, contact the Human Resources’ Risk Management-Benefits Office at or
IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
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