Education Intern Fall 2026

Gowanus Canal Conservancy works to build an equitable, thriving and resilient urban ecosystem in Gowanus — its waterway, urban forest, parks and open space — through education, stewardship, and advocacy that empower our community.

Gowanus Canal Conservancy is seeking three (3) interns to assist with Community Science Water Quality and Urban Ecology field trips for K-12 students. Each intern will have opportunities to lead small groups of students in hands‑on education activities relating to water quality or urban ecology in and around the Gowanus Canal, help with set‑up and clean‑up for outdoor field trips, and work toward leading large group activities and facilitating trips on their own.

During field trips, participating K‑12 students investigate the many aspects of water quality or ecology in a 90‑minute field trip, with an understanding of the issues the Canal faces and how that affects the topics we investigate and learn about. Field trips are welcoming to students of all abilities, languages, and learning levels.

• Receive training in programmatic topics, Gowanus history, Canal ecology, water quality, and teaching best practices
• Work with the GCC education team (Education Coordinator & Senior Manager) as a teaching assistant (informal teaching and hands‑on activities)
• Participate in team planning, training, program delivery, and reflection
• Setup/Breakdown of trips, facilitation of trip activities, and maintenance of materials

• Background or demonstrated interest in environmental science, informal STEM education, or related field
• Some experience teaching students in informal, outdoor settings/working with kids preferred but not required (desire & enthusiasm to learn is more important)
• Enjoy working outside and with kids, sometimes in variable weather conditions (may include cold, heat, rain, wind)
• Must be reliable, committed, responsible, and a clear and consistent communicator
• Multilingual is a plus but not required

• Work is performed in the field;
  Intern will potentially experience weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, and snow
• Requires moderate physical exertion — lifting, pushing, and carrying, etc.
• Requires communicating information orally and in writing
• Ability to enter and work at the Lowlands Nursery, an unpaved site with uneven terrain (mulch, gravel)
• Ability to be on your feet for long periods

This is a seasonal, part‑time position paying $20 per hour for an average of 6 to 12 hours of work per week. This position starts September 14 and ends November 14, 2026.

Wednesday, September 16;
Thursday, September 17;
Monday, September 21; and potentially one additional day on Thursday, September 25 between 9:30 am – 3:00 pm (paid training, hours will vary by date).

September 22 – November 13, 2026. 6–15 hours per week; must be available Monday‑Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

This internship will total between 90–108 hours.

We do not host field trips on days NYC public schools are closed.

Due to the outdoor nature of our field trips, we do not host field trips December through March. Interns in good standing are welcome to return & teach with us in the spring, April through mid‑June.

GCC Lowlands Nursery, 25 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Gowanus Canal Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates of all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds to apply.