Diverse Voices Student Leadership Opportunity

Whale Scout, a nonprofit organization based in King County, Washington is looking for student interns for spring and summer sessions to assist with salmon habitat restoration and outreach and education activities with diverse audiences. Dedicated to protecting Pacific Northwest whales through land-based conservation experiences, Whale Scout takes a boots-on-the-ground approach to recovering endangered Southern Resident killer whales and the salmon they rely upon. We acknowledge that we are on the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish people, and recognize that certain local communities of color are disproportionately impacted by lack of salmon, poor water quality, and access to outdoor environmental experiences and education. Our programs, including this internship, work to address these issues. We are seeking applicants whose backgrounds, experiences, language skills, and interests align with environmental justice goals related to Puget Sound. This internship will offer students the opportunity to learn about killer whales, salmon habitat, native vegetation, communication, community building, non-profit organizational management, and become certified water quality monitors. It will offer those 17 and older field experience educating the public including diverse families. The internship may also include opportunities to participate in field trips to San Juan Island. No prior experience is required. Students are invited to apply for spring and/or summer sessions. Compensation is $18/hr. Applications are due April 11th for consideration for the spring session and April 30th for consideration for the summer session.

Description of Responsibilities

Spring session: Approximately 6 hrs per week. Fieldwork at alternating locations (Bear Creek in Redmond and the former Wayne Golf Course in Bothell) on Fridays and independent study. Includes some weekend days for community volunteer and special events.

Dates: Mid April – June

Summer session: Approximately 15 hours per week.

Dates: July 6th – August 31st

Watering, weeding, maintenance, and monitoring of newly planted native vegetation at restoration sites within north King County

Riparian and water quality monitoring at our Bear Creek site

Outreach performing educational activities working with kids and families throughout King County

Leading volunteer work parties

Data entry for the PodMatch website and some administrative tasks

Independent reading, learning and research

Possible field trip(s) to San Juan Island

Benefits

$18/hr compensation

Field experience

Continuing educational opportunities 

Networking opportunities 

Experience working with diverse communities

Experience learning about salmon habitat restoration and water quality testing techniques 

Upon successful completion of internship, letter(s) of recommendation for future positions

Commitment 

Commitment 6 hours per week for spring and 15 hours per week for summer (approx). 

Schedule can vary and include some weekends and evenings. We encourage students to take advantage of time off and vacations and just ask for written notice to ensure coverage in scheduling.

Skills and Qualifications 

Open mind and willingness to explore other points of view 

Computer skills – use of Google products such as Google calendar, Google docs, Google sheets/excel and Zoom. Access to a computer/internet/email is particularly helpful

Be able to lift 40 lbs

Interest in teaching a diverse group of students both in and out of the classroom

Proven personal initiative and ability to multitask, prioritize, use good judgement, problem solve, and work effectively both independently and as a team in a fast-paced environment

Ability to hike several miles outdoors in all weather conditions

Demonstrated written and oral communication skills and detail-oriented organizational skills

Must be at least 17 years old on first day of internship

Must provide transportation to sites across King County

Must successfully pass a criminal history background check

Must be legally able to work in the United States

Willingness to store and/or transport materials to and from home

Willingness to learn more about the threats and science regarding Southern Resident killer whales

Housing not provided

We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA2S+, people living with disabilities, and veterans. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. 

We consider the “whole applicant,” working to develop a cohort of interns with unique perspectives each year. Typically we receive far more applicants than available positions.  

To apply, please complete this application.

Program Support

This program is funded with support from: WRIA 8, King County Flood Control District, King County Wastewater Treatment Division, NOAA Fisheries, Keta Legacy Foundation, and King County Parks

https://www.whalescout.org/article?slug=diverse-voices-student-internship-opportunity

Volunteer to Celebrate Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day by helping remove invasive plants along the edge of the forest at the Former Wayne Golf Course! Healthy riparian forests are essential for absorbing excess rain and controlling erosion of river banks, which helps protect young salmon. Activities will take place in the Back Nine of the park.

All are welcome! Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent.

Please sign up! There is a participation limit for safety. You’ll receive a confirmation email 2-3 days prior to the event.

Lear more about other exciting events all month long through the City of Bothell.

Plant Trees!

Join Whale Scout to plant trees and shrubs at the former Wayne Golf Course. Vegetation will help shade and cool and clean water in the Sammamish River which salmon use to migrate from spawning streams and back from the ocean. Healthy riparian forests control erosion of river banks and host insects young salmon need early in life. The former Wayne Golf Course features nearly a mile of shoreline and is the largest City of Bothell park. Planting will take place on the west side or “front nine.” 

Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent. Meet at the clubhouse parking area (16721 96th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011). Please sign up. A confirmation email will be sent to you 2-3 days prior to the event.

Volunteer to Restore Habitat

Volunteer to improve habitat! Portions of Bothell’s largest park, the former Wayne Golf Course, are a migratory corridor for Chinook salmon in the Sammamish River and potential habitat for Coho at the confluence of Waynita Creek. As this amazing property transforms from a golf course into a public open space, volunteers are offered the opportunity to help improve the habitat. By controlling non-native and invasive weeds, and protecting native trees and vegetation, we’re able to improve water quality for salmon and down the line provide more prey for killer whales in Puget Sound!

Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent. Please sign up, we will limit participants. A confirmation email will be sent to you 2-3 days prior to the event with the meeting location.

Please sign up at the link below.

Join Our Volunteer Naturalist Team

Join the Whale Scout naturalist volunteer team! As a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Pacific Northwest whales through land-based conservation experiences, volunteers are at the heart of our organization and mission. Learn more about volunteering below and apply by October 16th using this application form. There will be a day-long training session on October 29th in Burien at the Environmental Science Center.

Whale Scout’s intention is to be an inclusive, diverse, and collaborative organization that contributes to equitable opportunities for all to have a voice and take meaningful action on behalf of the environment. We are striving for a volunteer team that reflects our region’s diversity while honoring and being informed by the knowledge and traditions of its first stewards, the Coast Salish people.

Role of volunteer naturalists:

  • Assists the public in land-based whale watching
  • Offers positive, inclusive, educational experiences
  • Illustrates food-web and watershed connections between Southern Resident killer whales, salmon, native vegetation, and water quality
  • Communicates science, policies, and stewardship actions with the general public
  • Participates in local sightings networks
  • Attends and volunteer at salmon habitat restoration events

Benefits of being a volunteer naturalist include:

  • Playing an active role in orca recovery
  • Learning experiences including trainings and field trips
  • Camaraderie with other volunteers
  • Educational materials and volunteering supplies

Expectations:

  • Volunteer naturalists will conduct themselves professionally and in alignment with our diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives
  • Volunteer naturalists are asked to commit to about 2 hours a month of service  

To apply, please turn in this online form by October 16th. Accepted applicants will be notified October 19th. The in-person training will be October 29th in Burien. If in-person attendance is not possible, please email director@whalescout.org.

Help Salmon in Bear Creek

Help plant native trees and shrubs along Bear Creek! Chinook salmon in Bear Creek are doing relatively well compared to nearby streams so let’s keep it that way. Endangered orcas need these fish to recover. Native trees and shrubs protect water quality by shading the stream keeping it cool, providing cover, and stabilizing stream banks from erosion. Please sign up today to participate!

The site is located on private property, with extremely limited parking. We will meet at the Redmond PCC and walk over to the site together, offer information about orcas and salmon, the history of the site, and dig in! If you have mobility concerns, please email us to make accommodations.

Help Salmon in Bear Creek

Help maintain new plantings along Bear Creek! Chinook salmon in Bear Creek are doing relatively well compared to nearby streams so let’s keep it that way. Endangered orcas need these fish to recover. Native trees and shrubs protect water quality by shading the stream keeping it cool, providing cover, and stabilizing stream banks from erosion. Please sign up today to participate!

The site is located on private property, with extremely limited parking. We will meet at the Redmond PCC and walk over to the site together, offer information about orcas and salmon, the history of the site, and dig in! If you have mobility concerns, please email us to make accommodations. Please note – for this event only, we are asking for all participants to be at least 15 years old due to the activities we will be engaged in. We will be repairing and stabilizing fencing around trees using wire, rebar, and mallets.

Plant Trees!

Plant a riparian forest along the Sammamish River! These trees and shrubs will help shade the waters salmon use to migrate from spawning streams and back from the ocean. These fish are critical prey for endangered Southern Resident killer whales. Healthy riparian forests control erosion of river banks and host insects young salmon need early in life. The former Wayne Golf Course features nearly a mile of shoreline and is the largest City of Bothell park. Planting will take place on the west side or “front nine.”

Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent. Meet at the clubhouse parking area (16721 96th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011). Please sign up. A confirmation email will be sent to you 2-3 days prior to the event.

This project is a partnership with the City of Bothell with funds provided by a donation from the Trammell Crow Company.

Voluntariado para restaurar el hábitat del salmón

Este evento especial será ofrecido en Español y está abierto al público. Unas porciones del más grande parque en Bothell, anteriormente Wayne campo de golf, es un corredor migratorio para el Chinook salmon en el Sammamish río y potencialmente habita para el Coho al confluencia de Waynita Creek. En esta hermosa propiedad transformada de un campo de golf a un espacio para el público, voluntarios tienen la oportunidad de ayudar a mejorar el hábitat. Controlando las malas hierbas e invasoras, protegiendo árboles nativo y vegationes, podemos mejorar la calidad de agua para el salmón, como a la vez proveer comida para las orcas en el Puget Sound!.

Considere inscribir a su familia para pasar un rato divertido, educativo y compartir tiempo. Personas menores de 16 años necesitan estar acompañados de un adulto, menores de 18 años necesitan una autorización firmada por uno de los padres. Por favor inscribanse, tendremos un límite de participantes. Recibirá una correo electrónico de confirmación de 2 a 3 días antes del evento con la dirección del evento.

Por favor inscribirse a la siguiente dirección: https://forms.gle/Db8TtGYVLZw28ieTA

Help Salmon in Bear Creek

Help maintain new plantings along Bear Creek! Chinook salmon in Bear Creek are doing relatively well compared to nearby streams so let’s keep it that way. Endangered orcas need these fish to recover. Native trees and shrubs protect water quality by shading the stream keeping it cool, providing cover, and stabilizing stream banks from erosion. Please sign up today to participate!

The site is located on private property, with extremely limited parking. We will meet at the Redmond PCC and walk over to the site together, offer information about orcas and salmon, the history of the site, and dig in! If you have mobility concerns, please email us to make accommodations.