Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Opportunity: LA Wilderness Training Internship

How many nonprofit Executive Directors do this?
After I wrote about my relationship with rock climbing as a queer, Khmer American, woman, James Mills, a writer and independent producer, contacted me to dialogue further about people of color and the outdoors. James was the first African American sales executive for the The North Face back in the 1990s. I got to learn more about Expedition Denali, the National Outdoor Leadership School's effort "To inspire youth of color—and particularly African American youth—to get outside, get active, and become stewards of our wild places."

I mentioned to James that I was interested in learning traditional climbing, and he told me about Chelsea Griffie, one of the women who will also be on Expedition Denali and who recently moved to Los Angeles to start LA Wilderness Training, modeled after Bay Area Wilderness Training. She's also co-leading a Women of Color backpacking trip in Yosemite this summer with Elizabeth Sy, a Khmer American woman (yay!). 
 I got to meet Chelsea via Skype a couple of weeks ago and she mentioned that she's looking for interns to help get LAWT off the ground. (Funny that I met James, who lives in Madison, Wisconsin in person, and that due to hectic weekday schedules and LA traffic, Chelsea and I met via Skype.) 

So, those who are interested in getting some experience helping to build an organization from the ground up, get in touch with Chelsea! She's badass (as pictured). As of our conversation, she'd already trained 28 adults who work with youth to lead trips outdoors.



Full description of the internship and contact information:

Los Angeles Wilderness Training (LAWT)Internship Opportunity 
3 or 6 month internship (mid-June to mid-August or mid-November)

Please note: All dates are somewhat flexible based on the schedules of interns selected and internship extensions are possible. 
LAWT prefers six-month internship commitments, because we find that both the organization and interns gain the most from an extended working relationship. For more information, see the LAWT webpage at www.LAWildernessTraining.org 
Supervisor: Chelsea Griffie, Executive Director
Location: Pasadena, CA
To apply: Send cover letter, resume, references, and writing sample to chelsea@lawildernesstraining.org 
Scheduled Work Hours: 
Summer and fall 6 month internship – 20 hours per week (mid-June to mid-August)
Summer Only 3 month internship – 30 to 40 hours per week (mid-June to mid-November)
Flexible schedule; Mon- Fri. 8-5, some evening availability preferred 
Commitment: 
500 hours, ~3 to 6 months depending on internship type and number of hours per week 
The Intern will work with the Executive Director, LAWT volunteers and course attendees on a variety of activities. 
As much as possible, a specific project will be assigned to the intern, but exact tasks will depend upon the needs of the organization and the skills/interests of the intern. Projects may include any of the following: 
• Provide registration support, preparation and organization for LAWT’s Leadership Training Courses
• Manage intake of gear reservations and confirmation.
• Stage gear requests, manage inventory and catalogue LAWT's gear resource library
• Assist in logistics at the LAWT gear library
• Various marketing and outreach tasks.
• Manage volunteers, organize LAWT’s program committees, and manage tasks assigned to LAWT volunteers. 
Skills required:Microsoft Word & Excel, strong skills with social media and Web 2.0 tools (Facebook, Flickr, Google Apps), Experience with relational databases, Go Daddy website development and outdoor gear a plus. Access to a vehicle a plus. 
Compensation & Benefits 
• Experience with a dynamic, growing non-profit in Los Angeles
• Tuition Free Courses during period of internship
• Free outdoor equipment rental 
Expectations 
• Begin as soon as possible, and complete the internship once a mutual decision has been made to begin working together.
• Professional attitude and work ethic, timeliness, and proactive communication
• Be flexible and willing to learn new tasks.
• Initiate work, when you see a need.
• Have fun and have a sense of humor. 
Exact intern tasks depend upon LAWT’s needs, priorities and work plan for the months during the internship assignment. At LAWT, interns also have the chance to learn more about the many environmentally focused projects connected to Earth Island Institute.
LAWT is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, sexual orientation. People of color strongly encouraged to apply.