Internship Opportunity with The Cape Leopard Trust Education Programme February - May 2015

Published: 13 January 2015

The Cape Leopard Trust (CLT) is a research and conservation NGO, based in the Western Cape. It uses research as a tool for conservation, finding solutions to human-wildlife conflict and inspiring interest in the environment through an interactive and dynamic environmental education programme.

The Education Project is looking for interns to help with its environmental camps in the Cederberg during its camp seasons in 2015.

We run environmental camps from our campsite at Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve in the Cederberg, a mountain wilderness area in the Western Cape about 4 hours north from Cape Town. The camps cover a broad base of topics related to the environment and personal development. They generally run for three to five days for groups of 10 – 35 people. It is a self-catering set-up and groups have their own supervisors, so the role of the CLT is simply to provide and run the programme. We focus on school groups but have a variety of other groups attending camps as well. The camps are fee-based but we also provide sponsorship for groups who need it. This means that groups come from a wide range of backgrounds. Programmes are tailor-made for each group in consultation with the group leader, and cover a broad range of topics and activities, including predator research, mammals, Fynbos and Karoo biomes, reptiles, Black Eagle research, geology and geography, fossil finding, astronomy, art and creative writing, hiking, swimming and exploring.

We are offering a voluntary internship position in the Cederberg from the beginning of February – mid May 2015 and will be offering another one from the beginning of September – mid December 2015. We are looking for a general assistant with environmental knowledge to help on the camps. The intern would be expected to stay in the Cederberg for the time, although by arrangement the intern can leave between camps if transport is available or with own transport.

Description of intern’s role

Camp assistant, including but not limited to:

  • Practical campsite set-up, running and maintenance
  • Helping to facilitate hikes, outings and all other camp activities (including art and creative writing)
  • Creating and leading sessions, presenting aspects of the programme
  • Learning about the topics that we cover (eg fauna, tracking, flora, geology, predator research, etc) to help explain and answer questions
  • Keeping an eye on children (safety, support and discipline)

Requirements

  • Passionate about the environment and able to share this interest
  • Work well with people, particularly children (aged 10 and up)
  • Teaching experience an advantage
  • Must have valid 1st aid level 1 certificate
  • Must be fit, generally healthy and enjoy hiking
  • Fluent English essential, additional Afrikaans or Xhosa an advantage
  • Good general knowledge of plants, animals, geology, etc an advantage
  • Responsible and reliable
  • Good organizational skills needed for overseeing campsite supplies, etc
  • Patient, confident, good humoured, professional
  • Prepared to do mundane tasks and physical labour
  • Able to deal with isolation, solitude and simple living
  • Must maintain cleanliness, keep living space neat and take good care of equipment
  • Prepared to work flexible hours – during camps days start early and can end late at night
  • Computer skills (especially word, excel and powerpoint) an advantage but not essential
  • Good writing skills an advantage but not essential
  • This is open to all genders and nationalities

What we offer and what we don’t

This is an opportunity for hands on experience in a beautiful setting. There is lots of room for developing personal interests and really contributing to the project.

We are able to provide simple accommodation with a shared kitchen (away from campsite) at Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve in the Cederberg. Accommodation consists of a room with a bed and own toilet and shower. Shared kitchen has a fridge/freezer, basic cooking equipment and utensils, gas burners, tables and chairs (note: no oven). There is electricity.

We can provide transport to and from the Cederberg with camp groups if needed (from Cape Town).

Internet access is available from the office at certain times (wireless) with own computer.

This is a voluntary position and intern must provide own food and transport to Cape Town. Please note that it is essential that you have financial backup, we are not able to support you or supply transport home if you have financial problems.

How to apply

If you are interested and consider yourself suitable for the position, please complete the attached application form and send it as well as a CV and a motivating letter to Elizabeth Martins: [email protected] or call on 023 004 0022. Please note that as we are under time pressure to secure an intern timeously, we will be conducting interviews as suitable applications come in, until we have found someone. We therefore suggest that you submit your application ASAP.

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