Internships

Carpenter Nature Center offers Internships for college or university students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in Environmental Education, Orchard and Land Management, Avian Field Work or Communications and Visitor Services. Interns work closely with professional staff in training, completing projects, and daily work experience. Internships are typically full time (40 hours a week) and are offered seasonally.

Internships are available year round, but may vary based on position:

  • Fall (Sep. – Nov.)
  • Winter/Spring (Jan – May)
  • Spring (March – May)
  • Summer (Jun. – Aug.)
  • 8 months (Sept – Nov & Jan – May)

Environmental Education Internship

 Interns receive training from professional naturalists to teach a variety of programs to visitors of all ages, help with ongoing projects, and assist with caring for the animal ambassadors, including handling birds of prey. Interns complete a project, which could be developing curriculum, an educational display, or other educational materials. 

Orchard and Land Management

 Interns receive training and experience in conservation, resource management and orchard management. Interns work with our orchard manager in the apple orchard implementing Integrated Pest Management techniques, while outside the orchard they will receive hands-on experience with current conservation practices, identifying and removing invasive species, assist with gardens and land management.

Communications and Visitor Services Internship

Interns receive training to communicate effectively and professionally with the Nature Center’s target audiences. Interns will assist with the Visitor Center operations which includes staffing the greeter desk, providing customer service,  producing print and e-newsletters, posting on social media, event planning, and performing basic maintenance tasks. Oral and written communication skills are essential.

Avian Field Work Internship

Interns will learn about bird banding, point counts, transects, and other methods for researching bird populations. They will assist with weekly songbird banding research on CNC’s Minnesota Campus, MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) and MMN (Midwest Migration Network) research projects on CNC’s Wisconsin Campus, Eastern Bluebird nest box monitoring, habitat surveys, bird banding laboratory data entry and monthly guided bird hikes. Interns will learn proper care and handling of our raptor ambassadors, including a hawk, owl, falcon and eagle. They will assist with enrichment and training of CNC’s Common Raven. Interns may have opportunities to shadow other avian researchers to learn about color marking, nano-transmitters and field research techniques. Interns will be working outdoors and their schedule will include some
early mornings and weekend days.

How do I apply for an internship?

  • Download and fill out our internship application and submit with a letter of intent and current resume (or CV)
  • Email completed application, letter of intent and current resume (or CV) to our Intern Coordinator
  • Or send a printable application form along with your letter of intent and resume (or CV) via postal mail:

Intern Coordinator
Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center
12805 St. Croix Trail
Hastings, MN 55033

Please contact Sarah Germscheid at 651-437-4359 for more details.

Internship FAQ’s

  • Orientation to CNC’s facilities and operations
  • Thorough training prior to directed work experience
  • Support, fair treatment, and encouragement
  • Helpful ideas and suggestions
  • Open communication
  • An atmosphere that encourages new ideas and input
  • A variety of daily activities, most of which are outside
  • An effort by staff to put them in touch with potential employers and provide references
  • Regular performance reviews
  • Weekly meetings with supervisor
  • A final written evaluation of their performance
  • A weekly reimbursement and optional on-site housing
  • Commitment to CNC’s mission
  • Professional attitude
  • A desire to learn
  • An honest effort to perform to the best of their ability
  • Open communication
  • Willingness to offer new ideas
  • Timeliness and cooperation
  • A good work ethic
  • A final project to benefit CNC