Calvin Student Employment

Our vision is to inspire a new generation of environmental leaders in creation care through on-the-job work experiences. We employ Calvin University students to work in a variety of positions both during the academic school year and in the summer. As an employee of the Calvin Ecosystem Preserve & Native Gardens, you will gain valuable experience and develop skills that will prepare you for your future career in a variety of fields, including: environmental science, education, environmental education, interpretation, biology, recreation, and nonprofit work.

Academic year positions

Communications Assistant

Assist the Program Manager and Department Assistant with communications and marketing for the Ecosystem Preserve by curating social media content and growing the Preserve’s online presence. To learn more about this position read the job description. If the job sounds like a good fit for your skills, interests, and schedule please scan and email a completed application to Jeanette Henderson.

Now accepting applications for spring 2019. Deadline for submission is 5 pm on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. Interviews begin the week of Feb. 4.

Preserve Stewards

Assist the director and manager with the day to day onsite management of the Ecosystem Preserve by walking the trails to observe and record visitor usage, trail maintenance needs, and wildlife observed. They also assist with light maintenance needs such as litter pick up, weed removal, and raking. Open to biology or environmental studies majors. To learn more about this position, read the job description. If the job sounds like a good fit for your skills, interests, and schedule please email a completed application to Jen Howell, or deliver it to the mailbox outside of the Conference Room in the Bunker Interpretive Center (EI 114).

Now accepting applications for fall 2019. Deadline for submission is September 13, 2019.

Stewardship Interns

Engage in a variety of tasks (plant propagation, restoration plantings, landscape maintenance, etc.) to allow Calvin University to pursue active stewardship of lands within the boundaries of the Ecosystem Preserve. Open to junior and senior level students majoring in biology or environmental studies. To learn more about this position, read the job description. If the job sounds like a good fit for your skills, interests, and schedule please email a completed application to Jen Howell, or deliver it to the mailbox outside of the Conference Room in the Bunker Interpretive Center (EI 114).

Now accepting applications for fall 2019. Deadline for submission is September 13, 2019.

Summer positions

Summer Camp Environmental Educators (10–12 weeks)

Prepare for, teach, and supervise summer camp programs for pre-school to middle school children in an outdoor setting. Check out this job description to learn more about the positions or speak with Jeanette Henderson.

Now accepting applications for summer 2020. Deadline for submission is 5 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2020.

To apply, please fill out the pdf application on this webpage and make sure to also include your resume and the contact info for three references (name, relationship to you, phone number, and email). In addition, applicants need to submit a short essay (no longer than one page) on how you feel you will benefit from being a summer camp leader and why you would be a good camp leader. You can include career goals, interests, environmental concerns, past experiences, personality profile, skills, etc. in the essay. Completed application and supporting documents need to be submitted via email to Jeanette Henderson, Program Manager. Hard copies may be delivered to the mailbox outside of the Conference Room in the Bunker Interpretive Center (EI 114).

Summer Stewardship Interns (12 weeks)

Work on a variety of ongoing research projects including mammal, bird, and trees surveys, and assist with removal of invasive species, general trail maintenance, creation of new trails, native plantings, etc. Read the job description to learn more. It is strongly encouraged that you speak with Jen Howell about the position. Up to four positions are available each summer.

Now accepting applications for summer 2020. Deadline for submission is 5 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2020.

To apply, please fill out the pdf application on this webpage and make sure to also include your resume and the contact info for three references (name, relationship to you, phone number, and email). Completed application and supporting documents need to be submitted via email to Jen Howell, Land Manager. Hard copies may be delivered to the mailbox outside of the Conference Room in the Bunker Interpretive Center (EI 114).

Horticultural Assistant (12 weeks)

Assist preserve staff with the care and maintenance of the native plant demonstration gardens and propagation and cultivation of native plants for sale and restoration in projects in the preserve. Read the job description to learn more. It is strongly encouraged that you speak with Jen Howell about the position.

Now accepting applications for summer 2020. Review of applicants will begin on February 25 and will continue until the position is filled.

To apply, please fill out the online student employee application below and include your resume and the contact info for three references (name, relationship to you, phone number, and email). Completed application and supporting documents need to be submitted via email to Jen Howell, Land Manager. Hard copies may be delivered to the mailbox outside of the Conference Room in the Bunker Interpretive Center (EI 114).