OSU Extension Service Internship Program

OSU Extension Service Internship Program

This recruitment will be used to fill positions in the Extension Service Internship Program for Oregon State University (OSU) Extension across Oregon. An internship with Oregon State University's Extension Service offers a rewarding service-learning experience, in one of our 34 Extension offices across Oregon and allows you to gain valuable skills and knowledge that will benefit you in your academic program and in your future career.

Our paid interns:

• Have a unique, community-based learning opportunity
• Learn about the Extension Service and our land grant mission
• Have the opportunity to be a valued team member and contribute to programming by sharing their new perspectives and diverse ideas and energy
• Learn while they co-create impactful solutions that will be delivered locally and directly to beneficiaries

While traditional alignment between academic majors such as Agricultural Sciences, Forestry, Fisheries, Public Health, and Education exist, we encourage students from abroad range of programs of study to apply to our internships.

The Extension Student Internship Program may be of interest to students with:

• An interest in possibly pursuing an Extension career
• A desire to serve others and a genuine interest in people
• The ability to lead, teach, motivate and communicate effectively
• The motivation to continue learning and growing professionally
• The desire and ability to work as a team member
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Position Duties - An Extension Student Intern:

• Works with Extension program and office staff to coordinate and implement hands-on, educational program events and activities.
• Participates in meetings where local issues are identified and prioritized, and program results and plans are discussed.
• Assists in preparations for planned events and activities by gathering information, assembling materials, contacting participants, and soliciting support from external sources. As appropriate, conducts the teaching, training, or other program presentations.
• Seeks information from mentors and colleagues regarding the history, purpose and mission of the Oregon State University Extension Service.
• In some cases, may identify and develop a value-added process, program, or training tool that may be implemented within the hosting unit's current operations. This contribution should provide a substantial addition to the intern's resume as practical and applicable work experience.
• Maintains a blog, with the support of the Assistant Extension Internship Coordinator, outlining internship experiences in order to complete the required record of internship. Completes and submits record of internship at the conclusion of the internship.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be academically enrolled in a high school, community college, or university and pursuing a program or course of study
• Must meet Academic Standing Requirements; students on academic suspension are not eligible for employment
• Must meet the applicable minimal enrollment standard

Additional Required Qualifications:

• Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.
• Must have good organization and planning skills, and be able to demonstrate effective project coordination, facilitation, and implementation based on past work or school experiences.
• Must possess deductive reasoning skills and be able to analyze and synthesize information for problem solving.
• Must have a personal commitment to working with a variety clientele and colleagues.

Preferred (Special) Qualifications:

• Experience working with volunteers and youth is preferred.
• Spanish language proficiency is preferred.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule:

Your internship will help you grow professionally and may even give you the opportunity to consider careers in agriculture, food systems, nutrition, youth development, community development, family and consumer sciences, natural resources, and environmental science. Our internships can last for as long as 10-weeks and will usually take place during the summer. Interns can receive credit for their internship experience. In order to receive credit you must coordinate with your college internship coordinator prior to applying.

As an OSU Extension Intern you will work with our local professionals and community members to make a positive impact in the community you serve. We work in a values-driven environment. As such our work is Community-Based, delivered with Accountability and Credibility. We encourage Diversity, value Partnerships, and Responsiveness in our Extension programming.

Our Extension Interns will work in program areas to include: agriculture, community foods systems, forestry, community health, environmental science, natural resources, climate sciences, nutrition, fisheries, youth development, outdoor economy, workforce development, and tourism.

Participating counties include: Benton, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Gilliam, Harney, Hood River, Klamath Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Union, Umatilla, Wasco, and Yamhill. Counties. (Subject to change)

During your internship you may find yourself:

• Working with agriculture or forestry faculty to deliver educational workshops to landowners
• Partnering with Extension 4-H faculty to support youth development activities in a community
• Developing innovative programming to support small farms or local farmers markets
• Working alongside our Supplemental Nutrition Education Teams to deliver educational programming at a local food bank or bi-lingual programming to youth
• Working alongside community health partners to increase health access
• Lending your talents to a community partnership that explores using art and literature to educate a diversity of stakeholders on the value of local natural resources
• Developing a communications or outreach plan to support programming or community education
• Bringing to reality a new idea of your own in support of the OSU Extension mission and the communities we serve

If you would like to have a unique and rewarding experience as you work with a team of professionals to strengthen communities and economies, sustain natural resources, and promote healthy families and individuals, consider applying for an internship with OSU Extension. All interested students are encouraged to apply. Students attending any US college may apply. We accept applications from high school juniors and seniors. Students applying to internships in their home counties will be given priority.

Compensation: Interns will work up to 40 hours per week for a maximum of 10 weeks in the summer at a rate of $15.05/hour. Housing is not provided.

A complete listing of potential host sites and location-specific project description information can be found at OSU Extension website under Career Opportunities (https://extension.oregonstate.edu/about/career-opportunities). Students are highly encouraged to research internship locations through the County Extension websites. This position requires travel connected with official duties, including attendance at night and weekend meetings. (Mileage reimbursement will be provided.) As such, applicants must be willing to travel within the local area and work flexible hours.