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.

Summer 2022 Open Positions

Cartography Intern
Ecosystem Preserve Stewardship Intern
Native Garden Stewardship Intern

Deadline to apply is Monday, February 7th. Students interested in applying for a position must submit a job application to Jen Howell, Preserve Manager, jlh89@calvin.edu 

Academic year positions

Assist with development and execution of programs and events at the Ecosystem Preserve and visitor services at the Bunker Interpretive Center. To learn more about this position read the job description.

Assist 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.

Assist in caring for our live animal and plant educational exhibits at the Bunker Interpretive Center. To learn more about this position read the job description.

Assist 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 North Hall 048.

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. 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 North Hall 048.

Support the mapping needs of land management projects, ecological research, outdoor recreation and interpretive materials. This includes: collecting field data, performing basic geospatial analysis, organizing, managing and interpreting spatial data sets and map design. 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 North Hall 048.

Summer positions

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 three positions are available each summer.

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, Preserve Manager. Hard copies may be delivered to North Hall 048.

Work closely with Preserve staff to manage and monitor the Ecosystem Preserve & Native Gardens while also supporting the mapping needs of land management projects, ecological research, outdoor recreation and interpretive materials. This includes: collecting field data, performing basic geospatial analysis, organizing, managing and interpreting spatial data sets and map design. Read the job description to learn more. It is strongly encouraged that you speak with Jen Howell about the position. Up to two positions are available each summer.

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, Preserve Manager. Hard copies may be delivered to North Hall 048.

To be a student employee

Students interested in applying for a position must submit a job application to the individual listed on the job posting.

(Note to Mac users: you must complete this application using Adobe Reader, not Preview.)
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