Community Engagement Intern

Are you passionate about fostering community connections and increasing access to nature for all? The Morton Arboretum is seeking an enthusiastic and driven individual for an exciting internship opportunity. In this role, you'll support collaborative community engagement projects that help build equity and access to nature. You will assist with developing partnerships, conducting research, and planning events, all while contributing to a welcoming and inclusive environment at both our Arboretum and in the broader community. This position offers a unique chance to gain hands-on experience in community outreach and engagement while working in the beautiful natural setting of a public garden.

Position Summary:  Support various initiatives intended to engage underrepresented and historically marginalized communities. Assist with community partner programs both onsite at The Morton Arboretum and within the community. Generate lists of community organizations, including social service providers and Latino-serving organizations, in the surrounding suburbs such as DuPage, Kane, Western Cook County, as well as in the west/southwest side of Chicago. Research models of community advisory boards. Collaborate with the Community Engagement team, Guest Services, and other Arboretum staff to assess the onsite experience for diverse audiences. Assist with fielding requests and the distribution of community partner tickets for Illumination. Collaborate with the Community Engagement team to plan and deliver a Community Partner Day. 

Essential Functions: 

• Assist with co-creating authentic community experiences, using standardized tools to assess accessibility at cultural institutions, and developing resource guides.

• Provide support to the Community Engagement team for the duration of the placement on a range of projects, intending to engage underrepresented and historically marginalized communities. 

• Attend and participate in staff meetings/appointments as a temporary staff member as assigned.  

• Track progress on any objectives related to the intern’s academic institution, reporting to stakeholders from both parties. 

• Participate in and share experience feedback on any mentoring program attached to the Arboretum’s participation as an internship host site. 

• Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values to be inclusive, take ownership, work together, keep learning, and make the Arboretum exceptional.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: Current and continued enrollment in an Associate or Bachelor’s degree program through the internship placement. Eagerness to participate in an experiential learning opportunity set at a globally recognized leader in arboriculture science open to the public. Depending on the position, may require possession of a valid driver’s license, which is subject to insurability, and an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report.

Success Factors: Strong critical thinking skills. Good communication skills as well as a positive customer service ethos for public-facing departments. Ability to work on more than one project concurrently.  

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity: walking over varied terrain, bending, limited lifting and carrying (up to 20 lbs. assisted), some travel by car. 

• Work Environment: Office environment and Arboretum grounds. Work is performed indoors and outdoors, in a variety of weather conditions. Some local travel may be required.

• Equipment: General office equipment, two-way radio.

• Schedule: October- February, 12-15 hours/week. Some evening/weekend hours are required. 

The hiring rate for this position is $20/hour. 

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.  

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.