Urban Ecology Center - Community Engagement Intern (Social & Environmental Justice Program - SEJ)

Job Title:                    Community Engagement Intern                                            

Department:              Community Engagement

Reports To:                Branch Director             

Status:                                    40 hours/week, June 8 to August 14, 2026

Work Location:         Mostly In-Person, occasional hybrid option available

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The Urban Ecology Center hires nearly 30 people annually for our Green Career Pathways summer employment & internship experience. Our model of creating neighborhood-based environmental education centers energizes urban public natural areas. Located in vibrant public green spaces in Milwaukee, our fast-growing organization serves over 200,000 people of all ages annually.  Our Green Career Pathways efforts are providing people with an immersive green career experience while having a significant impact on our mission. 

Position Summary: The goal of this full-time, seasonal position is to develop skills in community engagement and outreach. This position will experience the “nuts and bolts” of a dynamic, fast-growing nonprofit organization while supporting the work of our Community Engagement teams at all 3 branches by supporting visitor experience, assisting with events, participating in neighborhood outreach, promoting programs, and overall connecting the community to the Urban Ecology Center's mission: connecting people in cities to nature and each other.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Neighborhood Outreach & Engagement

• Assist with the coordination and participation in outreach efforts to engage people in the neighborhoods we serve through our programs, offerings, and community center; including tabling at events, distributing flyers and promotional materials.
• Participate in community conversations and neighborhood events. 
• Co-lead projects related to our visitor experience.
• Support our community gardens programs as needed.

Community Center & Hospitality

• Welcome visitors. Engage them to meet their needs, interests, or curiosity about the Center and advance the Center's mission.
• Assist reception volunteers with duties at the desk, covering the desk when volunteers are unavailable. Help train new volunteers.
• Support front desk operations such as directing phone calls, guiding members on our website, and taking payments in our system.
• Help enforce visitor and building policies.
• Lead building tours for daily visitors and groups as scheduled.
• Keep reception desk and public areas neat, clean and professional
• Promote program participation, membership, volunteerism, rental, and community involvement to visitors. Connect visitors to other staff members when appropriate.

OUR SUMMER EMPLOYMENT & INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

• Our summer employment term runs from June 8 to August 14, 2026.
• You will attend training for the first two weeks of your experience, with opportunities for further learning & development throughout the summer. We host both a Summer Kickoff event and an End of Summer Celebration.
• As a member of the Community Engagement team, you will be managed by a Branch Director and work collaboratively with the Branch Operations Coordinators, Neighborhood Engagement, and Community Programs team.
• You may have the opportunity to earn additional money by working as an attendant at our events (weddings, rentals, other parties, etc). 
• We nurture an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative workplace culture. 
• You will have the ability to attend our public programs/events at a low or no cost. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Skills and Abilities

• Effective Communicator: you can articulate thoughts and express ideas effectively using oral, written, visual and non-verbal communication skills, as well as listening skills to gain understanding. The ability to deliver information in person, in writing, and in a digital world
• Collaboration: You have a strong ability to collaborate and share responsibilities with peers 
• Growth Mindset: You have a demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and incorporating feedback; you are optimistic about future opportunities
• Efficient: You have strong attention to detail, are self-motivated, and are able to multitask. You are able to prioritize your work based on importance and urgency.
• Strong cultural competency and commitment to equity, dignity, and justice.
• Affinity to the Urban Ecology Center's mission, vision, and values.
• Data management skills (Excel) required
• Database experience (Volgistics or Altru) preferred

Experience, Education, and Certifications

• High school diploma or equivalent education is required.
• Additional coursework related to customer service, non-profits, or general administration is preferred.
• At least 1 year of volunteer experience is preferred. 
• Conversational Spanish speaking ability is preferred. 

WORKING CONDITIONS, LOCATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Condition & Location: Open office workspace with an active team atmosphere. Using shared workspaces at all three UEC locations. 
• Physical Requirements: Sitting for prolonged periods, typing on a computer keyboard, lifting objects of 25 pounds or less, Standing, walking, bending 
• Equipment Used: Computer equipment, Google software, CRM software
• Schedule: Standard business hours with frequent evening and weekend events

The Urban Ecology Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to make all personnel decisions without discriminating on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national or ethnic origin, and any other protected status.

Compensation:
This internship is part of the Lawrence University Social & Environmental Justice Cohort, which provides an opportunity for Lawrentians to explore social and environmental justice impact careers, gain professional experience, and develop as leaders. Students complete a full-time summer 2026 internship with an identified social and/or environmental justice impact organization in Milwaukee or Appleton, while participating in ongoing reflection with fellow students, Professor Jason Brozek, the Career Center, community leaders and alumni.  Students may apply for as many positions as they are qualified for and interested in. Each student in the SEJ program will receive a $5k stipend to help cover housing and transportation costs and living expenses. For additional details and to see other SEJ opportunities, please see the SEJ Cohort webpage.

• Before applying, you must meet with a Career Center's Ty Collins for a resume review, or your resume must achieve green status in VMOCK.  If your resume does not meet professional expectations, you may be asked to resubmit your resume.  Please make an appointment with Ty here on Handshake.
• Once your resume is approved, you will then apply directly to one or more of the designated SEJ Internship options in Handshake by February 13, 2026 at 11:55 p.m. A separate application should be prepared for each position.
• Complete this form to indicate your transportation needs. The form only needs to be submitted once.

Please ask Michelle Buchinger for more details about how funding works Michelle.m.buchinger@lawrence.edu