JOB LOCATION
16002 E Smith Rd Aurora, Colorado 80011-3200
City of Aurora, Colorado
It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of:Integrity,Respect, Professionalism, andCustomer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
Why Work for Aurora?
- Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
- Diverse community
- Competitive total compensation package
- Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
- Light rail station minutes away
- On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
- Access to innovation workspaces
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
This internship is a wonderful opportunity for college students passionate about nature who want to make the outdoors a more welcoming place for everyone. As a vital part of the Generation Wild team, you will support the City of Aurora’s mission to expand equitable access to nature for youth and families, especially those from historically underserved communities. You will spend your summer gaining hands-on experience by planning and leading inclusive, community-centered programs that help people build a lifelong bond with the natural world. By helping to break down barriers to outdoor spaces, you will play a big role in fostering the next generation of environmental stewards. We provide a supportive and caring environment where you can grow your skills in environmental justice, urban green spaces, and youth development. This role is a perfect fit for students who love the environment and want to champion social equity through meaningful public engagement. If you are looking for a summer adventure where you can truly give back and help create culturally responsive learning environments, we would love for you to join us as an Outdoor Equity and Environmental Education Intern.
The deadline for submitting applications is May 1, 2026. Please note that the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing application screenings on a first-come, first-served basis. As soon as we determine that we have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.
The hiring rate for this role is $17.50/hour.
This is a temporary internship position expected to start May 25, 2026, and end August 9, 2026, and is classified as a Variable Hour Non-Benefit Eligible (VHNE) position. This position does not receive medical benefits and is expected to work 15 hours per week, Tuesday- Friday. This position is eligible for academic credit(s) and will work with the candidate to complete necessary paperwork.
Position overview
The Generation Wild Outdoor Equity and Environmental Intern supports the Generation Wild program by assisting with the planning and delivery of inclusive, community-centered outdoor and environmental education programs. This role helps expand access to nature for underserved youth and families while gaining hands-on experience in outdoor equity, natural resources, and public engagement. The intern contributes to fostering meaningful connections between youth and the outdoors, supporting the development of lifelong environmental stewards.
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist with the planning and facilitation of outdoor education and recreation programs for youth and families
- Support programming that helps remove barriers and increases equitable access to outdoor spaces
- Create inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive outdoor learning environments
- Assist with preparation and cleanup of program materials and activity areas
- Maintain accurate program numbers and assist with required documentation like waivers
- Develop unique and creative programming opportunities for diverse communities
- Supervise participants with safety as the first priority and ensure each participant is always accounted for
- Engage students in hands-on environmental learning activities
- Support communication with participants, community partners, and naturalist team as directed
- Attend staff training and meetings
- Maintain awareness of participant medical needs and communicate concerns to supervising staff
- Assist with accommodations to ensure all participants can fully engage in programming
- Perform other related duties as assigned
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Education:
- High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Must be currently enrolled in college-level coursework at an accredited college or university
Experience:
- Previous work experience is not required for this role
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in youth education, natural resources, or conservation is preferred
- Spanish language proficiency preferred
Knowledge:
- Basic understanding of environmental stewardship, ecology, or conservation principles
- General awareness of safety practices in group or outdoor settings
- Familiarity with the importance of inclusion, accessibility, and cultural responsiveness in community programming
- Basic understanding of environmental stewardship and respect for natural spaces
Skills:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Organizational skills and attention to detail
- Basic computer proficiency (word processing, spreadsheets, and data entry)
- Ability to follow directions and complete assigned tasks in a timely manner
- Basic problem-solving skills and willingness to ask questions when guidance is needed
- Attention to detail when assisting with documentation and program materials
Abilities:
- Ability to create a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment for all participants
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
- Ability to engage respectfully with youth and families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds
- Ability to adapt to changing situations and support problem-solving with guidance from supervising staff
- Ability to follow established procedures related to safety, documentation, and participant care
Licenses and Certifications:
- First Aid and CPR certification (Generation Wild will cover this training if not already obtained by candidate)
WORKING CONDITIONS
Essential Personnel:
- When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.
Physical Demands:
- Moderate physical work with the ability to lift up to 40 pounds at a time with or without assistance
- Considerable walking and standing on uneven terrain
- Occasional bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, and performance of activities requiring full range of motion
- Ability to review and interpret reports and other written documents with or without reasonable accommodation
- Ability to communicate with employees, contractors, and residents in field environments, with or without reasonable accommodation
Work Environment:
- Works in various locations including indoor and outdoor settings, assisting with programming or outreach events in varying weather conditions
- Frequent work outdoors in varying weather conditions
- Occasionally works in indoor settings, like the nature centers, can have varying working conditions such as environments that are loud, fast paced, and require interaction with the public
Equipment Used:
- Uses standard office equipment inc