Internships

A Rocha Canada is offering internships (3 months minimum) at the A Rocha Brooksdale Environmental Centre in Surrey, BC, and the A Rocha Prairie Field Station in the Pembina Valley, MB.

What are interns?

We call interns those who are volunteering with us full time for approximately 3 months or more.  We also have other volunteers who come sporadically to help out in general ways and who live in the area.  The different titles helps us to distinguish between types of volunteers.  Internships are available in Sustainable Agriculture, Environmental Education, or Conservation.

The ability to work both independently and as part of a team, a willingness to work in other project areas as needed, including occasional weekends, are requirements for consideration. Internships usually include a residential component with room and board at one of the the A Rocha centres, which involve hospitality towards the wider A Rocha community and the general public.

Internship Dates (BC Only)

A Rocha recommends that you apply at least 2 months prior to the start of the internships.

Fall 2011 – Sept. 7th – December 17th
Winter 2012 – January 17th – April 28th
Summer 2012 – May 8th – August 31st

*If you are interested in volunteering at A Rocha Prairie Canada, please email interns@arocha.ca with your dates of availability.

Internship Options

We typically look for volunteers in our 3 different programs: Conservation Science, Environmental Education, and Sustainable Agriculture.  Brief explanations follow for each of the three areas.

Environmental Education Intern will:

• Gain valuable experience organizing and implementing environmental education programs
• Be passionate about children’s education, have experience and confidence working with children
• Lead activities with groups of children for school programs, daycamp programs, summer camp workshops and community events on and off-site
• Research and create resources for these programs
• Work well independently and as part of a team and be willing to work in other project areas as needed and directed, including occasional weekends

Sustainable Agriculture will:

• Gain valuable experience in small-scale sustainable agriculture/community shared agriculture (CSA)
• Assist the Farm & Nursery Manager to plan, manage and implement the garden season
• Do physical labour outdoors – planting, harvesting, weeding, watering in the garden
• Organize and assist with weekend watering schedules and animal care
• Assist with the native plant nursery
• Liaise with community members, CSA shareholders and supervise volunteers
• Work well independently and as part of a team and be willing to work in other project areas as needed and directed, including occasional weekends

Conservation Intern will:

• Develop and participate in fish and wildlife conservation and enhancement projects such as fish, amphibian and bird enhancements, native plantings and various wildlife surveys
• Participate in local stewardship events
• Research and develop resource materials related to stewardship and fish and wildlife habitat
• Assist with the native plant nursery
• Liaise with community members and supervise volunteers
• Work well independently and as part of a team and be willing to work in other project areas as needed and directed, including occasional weekends

While these explanations are for official Intern positions, they give you a guideline to think about how you might be involved with us.  Combinations of these areas are always a possibility.  Of course, all people who live on site are responsible for participating in community life (ie. chores, cooking, hospitality, assisting with on-site events) as well.

Price

Be advised that our rates for volunteers including room and board are $600 CDN per month.  While this can be a financial strain for some, community life can be rich and rewarding!

Apply Today!

Please email us at interns@arocha.ca with the following information:
Resume and Cover letter including…

Why do you want to volunteer with A Rocha Canada?
What program area(s) you are most interested in volunteering?

When you wish to come: Fall, Winter or Summer

Statement of your ability to cover the cost of your stay at A Rocha

Three References (List their name, phone number, email address and relationship to you).

Once we have this information, we will determine a time to connect via phone or skype (if you have access to it).