2026–2027 Academic Year
Location: Ellensburg, WA / Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center (YCIC) and other local outdoor
learning sites
Position Type: Part-Time Internship, Unpaid
Schedule: Flexible, approximately 8–15 hours/week during the academic year
Academic Credit: May be eligible for CWU internship, practicum, service-learning, or
independent-study credit
Reports to: KEEN Environmental Education / Program Manager
About KEEN
The Kittitas Environmental Education Network (KEEN) is a Central Washington nonprofit
dedicated to connecting people with nature and inspiring environmental stewardship through
outdoor education, conservation, and community engagement.
KEEN’s programs provide hands-on learning experiences in the shrub-steppe, wetlands, forests,
rivers, and other unique ecosystems of Central Washington.
During the 2026–2027 academic year, KEEN is expanding its year-round outdoor learning
programs, including KEEN Nature Academy, KEEN Outdoor Fridays, and EcoExplorers After
School Club.
We are seeking enthusiastic CWU students who want to gain meaningful professional
experience while helping young people develop curiosity, confidence, and a connection to the
natural world.
Position Overview
The KEEN Environmental Education Intern is a hands-on learning position supporting KEEN’s
outdoor education and environmental stewardship programs.
Interns work alongside KEEN staff to prepare and deliver nature-based educational experiences,
mentor youth, assist with field science and stewardship projects, and develop curriculum and
educational materials.
This position is designed to provide students with real-world experience—not simply
observation or administrative support.
As interns gain experience, they will have opportunities to take increasing responsibility for
leading activities, teaching lessons, developing projects, and working directly with youth and
community members.
Primary Internship Placements
Students may focus on one program or gain experience across multiple programs.
KEEN Nature Academy Intern
Tuesdays | 9:00 AM–11:30 AM | Ages 8–11
Support a weekly outdoor learning program where children explore nature through hands-on
science, environmental education, creative activities, and field experiences.
Responsibilities may include:
● Assisting with outdoor lessons and activities
● Leading games and nature exploration
● Supporting small groups
● Helping prepare lesson materials
● Developing age-appropriate activities
● Supporting nature journaling and field investigations
● Progressively taking responsibility for portions of lessons
Great fit for: Education, elementary education, science education, environmental studies,
biology, and youth development students.
KEEN Outdoor Fridays Intern
Fridays | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM | Ages 8–11
Help bring science to life through hands-on outdoor investigations and field-based learning.
Interns may assist with:
● Ecological investigations
● Wildlife observation
● Plant identification
● Field science activities
● Data collection
● Nature exploration
● Environmental education
● Citizen science projects
● Curriculum development
Students gain practical experience translating scientific concepts into engaging outdoor learning
experiences.
Great fit for: Biology, environmental science, ecology, science education, geography, and
environmental studies students.
KEEN EcoExplorers Intern
Wednesdays | 1:00–5:00 PM | Ages 11–16
Support an outdoor leadership and exploration program designed for middle and high school
youth.
Interns help facilitate:
● Hiking and outdoor exploration
● Environmental projects
● Field science
● Stewardship activities
● Team-building challenges
● Outdoor skills
● Youth leadership activities
The emphasis is on helping young people build confidence, leadership skills, environmental
awareness, and a stronger connection to place.
Great fit for: Recreation, outdoor leadership, education, environmental studies, youth
development, psychology, and related fields.
Additional Opportunities
Depending on student interests and KEEN’s needs, interns may also participate in:
- Habitat Restoration
- Native planting, invasive species management, wetland restoration, ecological monitoring, and
stewardship projects. - Adventure & Outdoor Recreation
- Hiking, outdoor skills, Adventure Club activities, camping, stewardship, and youth outdoor
leadership. - Environmental Communications
- Photography, video, social media, website content, environmental storytelling, and educational
media. - Nonprofit Operations
- Volunteer coordination, events, fundraising, grants, program evaluation, and community
engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Interns may:
- Assist with planning and preparing outdoor programs
- Lead activities under staff supervision
- Work directly with children and youth
- Support safe and inclusive outdoor learning environments
- Develop lesson plans and educational activities
- Prepare and maintain program materials and equipment
- Participate in field science and conservation activities
- Assist with habitat restoration and stewardship
- Help collect and document ecological or program data
- Support community events and volunteer activities
- Participate in staff meetings and professional development
- Complete an independent or capstone project
- Represent KEEN professionally in the community
- Responsibilities will be matched to the intern’s experience, academic goals, and selected
internship track.
Learning & Professional Development
KEEN interns will develop practical skills in:
- Environmental Education
- Outdoor teaching
- Curriculum development
- Environmental interpretation
- Inquiry-based learning
- Nature-based education
- Youth Leadership
- MentoringGroup
- facilitation
- Communication
- Outdoor classroom management
- Leadership
- Field Science
- Ecological observation
- Data collection
- Species identification
- Field documentation
- Community science
- Conservation
- Habitat restoration
- Native plants
- Invasive species management
- Stewardship
- Professional Skills
- Project planning
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Public engagement
- Professional leadership
- Progressive Responsibility
KEEN’s internship model is designed around growth.
Learn
Observe experienced staff, assist with programs, learn safety procedures, and develop
foundational skills.
Lead
Take responsibility for activities, small groups, field investigations, and portions of lessons.
Create
Develop curriculum, lead activities, design projects, and contribute ideas to KEEN’s programs.
Capstone
Complete a meaningful project that contributes a lasting resource or improvement to KEEN.
Qualifications
Required
● Current CWU student or recent graduate
● Interest in environmental education, conservation, outdoor recreation, youth
development, or a related field
● Dependable and responsible
● Willingness to learn
● Ability to work collaboratively
● Comfortable spending time outdoors
● Ability to communicate professionally with staff, youth, families, and community
members
● Ability to follow safety procedures and staff direction
Preferred
● Experience working with children or youth
● Outdoor recreation experience
● Coursework in education, biology, environmental studies, recreation, geography, or a
related field
● First Aid/CPR certification
● Experience with environmental science or conservation
● Teaching, mentoring, leadership, or volunteer experience
Previous professional environmental education experience is not required.
Physical & Outdoor Requirements
KEEN programs take place outdoors and may involve:
● Hiking on uneven terrain
● Walking for extended periods
● Carrying educational or field equipment
● Working in sun, rain, wind, cold, or other changing conditions
● Outdoor activities appropriate to the program
Reasonable accommodations will be considered for qualified applicants.
Schedule
Intern schedules will be developed around student academic commitments and KEEN program
needs.
Primary recurring opportunities include:
Tuesday: Nature Academy
Wednesday: EcoExplorers
Friday: Outdoor Fridays
Weekends: Stewardship projects, Adventure Club, and special events
Students may participate in one or multiple programs.
Academic Credit
KEEN welcomes students seeking academic credit through CWU.
Internships may potentially be structured as:
● Department internships
● Practicum experiences
● Service learning
● Independent study
● Capstone projects
Students seeking academic credit will be responsible for meeting applicable CWU and
department requirements, with KEEN providing supervision and documentation as appropriate.
What You Will Gain
By the end of the internship, students should have:
● Hands-on experience working with youth
● Experience leading outdoor learning activities
● A stronger understanding of local ecosystems
● Practical field science experience
● Experience developing educational materials
● Professional references
● A portfolio of work
● A completed capstone or independent project
● Experience working for a community-based environmental nonprofit
Students who excel may also be considered for future paid seasonal and part-time positions
with KEEN.
Who We’re Looking For
We are looking for students who are:
Curious.
Dependable.
Creative.
Willing to learn.
Excited to be outside.
Interested in working with young people.
Passionate about Central Washington’s natural environment.
You don’t have to know everything.
You just need to be ready to get outside, learn, contribute, and grow.
How to Apply
Submit the KEEN Environmental Education Internship Application and a current resume, if
available.
Students may indicate their preferred internship placement:
● Nature Academy
● Outdoor Fridays
● EcoExplorers
● Conservation / Habitat Restoration
● Outdoor Recreation
● Communications
● Nonprofit Leadership
Selected applicants will be invited to an interview or informal conversation with KEEN staff.
Applications: https://www.keen-ycic.org/internships-with-keen
Questions: keen@keenetwork.org
Website: https://www.keen-ycic.org
Kittitas Environmental Education Network
Connecting people with nature. Inspiring stewardship. Building environmental
leaders.
KEEN is an equal opportunity organization committed to creating welcoming, inclusive outdoor
learning experiences for students, families, and community members