Paid Internships at Groundswell – Kootenays, BC

Posted by Sara Dent on April 15, 2013 2 Comments

Groundswell Network Society – Sustainability Internships

Groundswell Network Society, located in Invermere, British Columbia seeks  candidates for a Senior and two Junior Sustainability Internship positions beginning in April/May/June 2013.  For over a decade, Groundswell’s Internship Program remains an integral part of our Community Programming and enables our organization to achieve its program objectives related to sustainable community development in the Upper Columbia River region of British Columbia.

Since 2000 Groundswell has been advancing sustainable community development through applied programs in food security and agriculture, renewable energy, waste and water management, and youth & seniors programming.

Interns add and receive value at Groundswell. Working in an applied, practical environment with mentors experienced in many aspects of community sustainable development builds intern skills and advances Groundswell’s role in assisting other communities in achieving their sustainability objectives. Since completing the Community Greenhouse in 2009 we have been contacted for assistance by over fifty other communities from across BC and Canada seeking to emulate our projects and programs. Our award winning Community Greenhouse and community gardens are a primary means of program delivery along with extension workshops and events throughout the region.

Click here to visit the Community Greenhouse on You Tube

Project Areas of the Groundswell Sustainability Internships:

1) Ongoing development of a Community Garden adjacent to the Community Greenhouse;

2) Planting, harvesting, composting in the growing operations at the Community Greenhouse and Community Gardens managed by the Society;

3) Delivery and sales of harvest – seniors and family resource centres, Farmers Market Stall, Slow Food Market Event;

4) Communications – media, public outreach, special events, tours, signage development for residents and visitors to the community and region.

5) Assisting in the implementation of Groundswell’s Community Composting business plan, our latest social enterprise developed in partnership with Enterprising Non-Profits of BC and the District of Invermere.

Senior Sustainability Internship (1)

Groundswell’s Senior Sustainability Intern will assist in planning and participate in all programs and supervise the Junior Sustainability Interns in the delivery of their duties involved in the above program areas. Groundswell’s Education Coordinator or Society Board designate will orient and support the Senior Intern in these duties through a work plan and weekly feedback meetings. Of particular project focus*, the Senior Intern will be directly involved with the launch and development of Groundswell’s Community Composting Program, our latest social enterprise developed over the past eighteen months with support of Enterprising Non Profits of BC and the District of Invermere.

Communications and leadership are an important skill set of our Senior Interns – strong verbal, written, social media and graphics skills are an asset. Event planning & promotions, media literacy, budgeting, handling money, ensuring health & safety standards of all activities, mentoring high school aged assistants are key duties. Problem solving, time management, ‘service to client’, patience and a sense of humor are all key attributes. First aid training and a valid driver’s license are required.

Senior Sustainability Intern will plan & participate in all programs listed above & supervise the Junior Interns in the delivery of duties associated with these programs. Preference will be given to candidates who have graduated in a post-secondary program in one or more related fields such as  community development, food and agriculture, renewable energy and green building, education, health and working with audiences with special needs.

Supervision & Mentoring

The Senior Sustainability Intern will report to Groundswell staff, the Greenhouse Education Coordinator or the Society Board designate.

The Senior Sustainability Intern will receive orientation at the outset of the work experience including a schedule for weekly consultation sessions with the supervisor. The Senior Sustainability Intern will start work ahead of arrival of Junior Interns in order to prepare for the program deliverables, participate in orientation and mentoring sessions and participate in ongoing school and community programs underway with the Community Greenhouse Education Coordinator. The mentoring plan will establish goals for the Senior Intern and supervisor and provide a structured approach through regular meetings to determine progress and identify successes and ongoing needs.

Additional mentoring opportunities will include structured interaction with project leaders and community champions that have been involved in Groundswell Network Society and the Community Greenhouse.

Health and Safety

Job orientation and training will be provided to the Senior Sustainability Intern for each program/project to be undertaken and will include health and safety standards expected personally & in their role as supervisor of the Junior Interns. First aid training will be required in candidate selection.

Junior Sustainability Internships (2)

Two Junior Sustainability Interns will be responsible for delivery of the program areas outlined above under direction and supervision of the Senior Sustainability Intern. Tasks are often physical, require high fitness level but are also highly social requiring excellent communications skills. Bikes with trailers will be a primary means of transport for Junior Sustainability Interns.

Work Tasks & Responsibilities

Assist with garden and greenhouse plant production, community composting programs and food harvesting. Farmers Market and Slow Food event stalls, seniors centre visits, development of new community garden, welcome & orient visitors, including youth, seniors and special needs audiences. A high fitness level, positive attitude and excellent communications skills are important requirements. Candidates for these positions will likely be at a high school or early post-secondary level and may or may not be returning to school.

Supervision & Mentoring

Junior Sustainability Interns will be supervised by the Senior Sustainability Intern with input as required by the Community Greenhouse Education Coordinator (Current Staff) or Board designate. Junior Interns will have input to program design and be provided with clear work plans and feedback on their performance. Junior Interns will also interact with the project leaders and volunteers associated with the organization.

Health and Safety

Job orientation and training provided by the Senior Sustainability Interns will include health and safety standards expected of the Junior Interns. First aid training will be favored in candidate selection and/or encouraged to obtain/enhance on the job.

Groundswell’s Intern Program Recruitment and Support

Groundswell has been attracting and retaining youth interns since the organization started in 2000.  We strongly value and actively promote our organization as a facilitator of youth employment and career development; a track record that has contributed to the socio-economic development of our communities. Groundswell offers training for staff and volunteers – these training opportunities are also offered to interns as resources become available.

This notice has been circulated throughout western Canadian post-secondary institutions with programs related to the duties and skills required for this internship. Local and regional offices of employment have also received this posting.  Local Metis and First Nations candidates have been informed of the opportunity. As we are in a rural region it is understood that the Intern may be relocating and Groundswell assists in this process as much as possible. Groundswell is an equal opportunity employer.

Forward your resume and cover letter for the above positions by April 19, 2013 to: greenhouse@groundswellnetwork.ca

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2 thoughts on “Paid Internships at Groundswell – Kootenays, BC

  1. Hey,

    I am interested in the internships available with Groundswell. I am wondering if they are still available this year? The deadline says April 2013.

    Have a wonderful day,

    Haily

    1. Hello Haily,

      I am responding to a comment you left last year re Groundswell Paid Internships. We anticipate having interns again in 2014. The positions are funding dependent and there are some eligibility requirements of the candidates – contact me if you are still interested. Thx, B

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