Internship Opportunities at Macon County Conservation District

2025 Historic Sites’ Internship

Deadline: Applications due by 12 p.m. (Central Time) on Monday, March 17, 2025

Terms of position: One internship for 26 weeks from mid-May to mid-November. Work week is Monday through Friday with alternating weekend duty and compensatory time off. 988 total hours for the entire length of the internship based on a 38 hour work week.

To apply: Download an application. Send your completed application along with 2 writing samples of at least 3 pages each, a resume, and college transcript(s) to Brent Wielt at the address below.

Location: Homestead Prairie Farm, a circa 1860 living history house museum, and Rock Springs Nature Center are both located on the grounds of Rock Springs Conservation Area near Decatur, Illinois.

Salary/Stipend/Housing: $16.00/hour at 38 hours/week. Intern also receives a $350 monthly housing stipend payment. The stipend is pro-rated for partial months. No on-site housing is available, but the site is near Decatur, Illinois. Intern position is entitled to earn Paid Time Off (PTO) beginning first day of employment accruing one hour for every 40 hours work. PTO may be used after first 90 days of employment.

Scope: The historic sites’ internship is a great opportunity for anyone starting a career in the historic site or history museum field. Interns gain varied work experience through a wide range of tasks. They include duties in education and interpretation, volunteer training and management, children’s summer day camps, collections care, exhibits, purchasing, publicity/marketing, historical research, and other museum or site administrative tasks as needed. While the duties remain the same each year, special projects and new priorities make each intern’s experience unique from year to year.

Duties include all of these areas:

  • Interpretation/Education: Assist with third person interpretation at the District’s historic sites. Most interpretive programming takes place at Homestead Prairie Farm, but may include Bethel School or other district sites as needed. Interpretive duties include working with staff and volunteers to provide: public tours during regular weekend open houses and special events; educational programs for schools and other groups, either on-site or as outreach.
  • Children’s Summer Day Camps: The intern will develop lesson plans/activities, present, and co-manage a half-day history camp with another staff member. The camp meets for 3 hours once a week in June and July. Campers range in ages from 6 to 12. The intern will assist other staff as needed with day camps for children and teens including Adventure Club (Tuesday) and possibly another camp.
  • Collections/Exhibits: Help staff plan, set up, or remove exhibits; assist in collections processing, care, research, and inventory; and help in the recordkeeping of reproduction period clothing worn by staff and volunteers for tours and programs.
  • Research/Marketing/Volunteers/Administrative: Assist with historical research; may work on publicity and marketing by writing newsletter articles, press releases, and program flyers; and train/supervise volunteers. The intern will also assist with special events, some housekeeping/maintenance duties, purchasing, and other duties as needed.

To apply: Download an application. Send your completed application along with 2 writing samples of at least 3 pages each, a resume, and college transcript(s) to Brent Wielt at the address below. Deadline is Noon (Central Time) on Monday, March 17, 2025.

To inquire with questions, please contact:
Macon County Conservation District
Attn: Brent Wielt, Historic Sites Manager
3939 Nearing Lane
Decatur, IL 62521
217-423-7708
[email protected]

2025 Audubon Internship

Deadline: Applications due by 12 p.m. (Central Time) on Friday, March 28, 2025

Terms of position: One internship for 26 weeks from mid-May through August, with an option to extend through mid-November. Work week is Monday through Friday with some weekend and/or evening hours. 988 total hours if extended to mid-November based on 38-hour work week.

To apply: Download an application. Send your completed application, a resume, and college transcript(s) to Alysia Callison via the contact information listed below. Applications may be accepted via email or regular mail.

Funding: The internship is funded by a donation from Decatur Area Audubon Society (DAAS) to the Macon County Conservation District (MCCD) with benefits being paid by MCCD.

Location: Rock Springs Nature Center, located at the Rock Springs Conservation Area near Decatur, Illinois. A part of the Macon County Conservation District.

Salary/Stipend/Housing: $15.00/hour at up to 38 hours/week. Housing is not available with this internship, but the site is near Decatur, Illinois. Intern position is entitled to earn Paid Time Off (PTO) beginning first day of employment accruing one hour for every 40 hours worked. PTO may be used after first 90 days of employment.

Qualifications: Graduation from or current enrollment in a biology, wildlife, ecology, zoology, history, museum, education, or other relevant program at an accredited college or university or community college. Valid driver’s license and clean driving history. Must successfully complete a drug screen and criminal background check. If applying as an intern, official internship status is not required but encouraged.

Duties include all of these areas:

  • Interpretation/Education: Lead educational programs for schools and other groups, either on-site or as outreach.
  • Children’s Summer Day Camps: Develop and lead the District’s Extreme Camp and possibly assist with other camps.
  • Exhibits/Special Events: Help staff plan, set up, or remove exhibits; maintain DAAS “table” and Information Station; assist with preparation and staffing of outreach tables; assist with special events.
  • Promotions/Marketing/Volunteers/Administrative: May work on publicity and marketing by developing flyers, brochures and other materials, assist with DAAS social media presence, and write articles for DAAS newsletter. Will also assist with special events, some housekeeping/maintenance duties, purchasing, and other duties as needed.

See Full Job Description.

To apply: Download an application. Send your completed application, a resume, and college transcript(s) to Alysia Callison via the contact information listed below. Applications may be accepted via email or regular mail. Deadline is 12 p.m. (Central Time) on Friday, March 28, 2025.

To inquire with questions, please contact:
Macon County Conservation District
Attn: Alysia Callison, Director of Program Services
3939 Nearing Lane
Decatur, IL 62521
217-423-7708
[email protected]

Natural Resources Seasonal/Intern

Deadline: Open until filled.

Summary: Under the direction of the Natural Resources Manager, this position will assist with natural areas management and habitat restoration throughout Macon County. The majority of work will be outdoors and physical, and will include the use of equipment such as hand tools, power tools, machinery, and herbicides.

To apply: Download an application. Or visit the Macon County Conservation District business office located at the Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL 62521.

Wage: $15.00/hour

Qualifications: Graduation from, or current enrollment in a forestry, wildlife, fisheries, ecology, zoology, or other related biological program at an accredited college or university. The ability to identify prairie plants and tree species of Illinois is preferred. Experience with safe operation of power equipment preferred. Applicant must possess or be able to acquire an Illinois pesticide applicator or operator license. Official internship status not required but encouraged.

Valid driver’s license and clean driving history. Drug test, background check, and physical will be required.

Duties:
Under the direction of the Natural Resources Manager, this position will assist with natural areas management and habitat restoration throughout Macon County. The majority of work will be outdoors and physical, and will include the use of equipment such as hand tools, power tools, machinery, and herbicides. See Full Job Description.

To apply: Download Application or visit the Macon County Conservation District business office located at the Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL 62521.

For more information contact:
Mitch Lovgren, Natural Resources Manager
Macon County Conservation District
3939 Nearing Lane
Decatur, IL 62521
217-519-9926

Seasonal or Intern Interpreter

Deadline: Applications due by 12 p.m. (Central Time) on Friday, March 28, 2025

Terms of position: Late May through mid-August. Up to 38 hours per week. Work week is Monday through Friday with alternating weekend duty.

To apply: Download an application. Return completed application along with a resume to Alysia Callison at [email protected] or at the address below.

Wage: $16.00/hour

Qualifications: Graduation from or current enrollment in a biology, wildlife, ecology, zoology, history, museum, education, or other relevant program at an accredited college or university is preferred, but not required. Valid driver’s license and clean driving history. Must successfully complete a drug screen and criminal background check. If applying as an intern, official internship status is not required but encouraged.

Duties include all of these areas:
The Seasonal or Intern Interpreter will develop and present programs on the natural and cultural history of Macon County. This includes but is not limited to: presenting public tours at Homestead Prairie Farm every other weekend during open houses; developing and leading the District’s History Camp with the Historic Sites’ Intern; leading nature and history programs for local libraries, school groups, scout groups, and more; assisting with other camps and activities; and other interpretive duties as needed. See Full Job Description.

To apply: Download an application. Return completed application along with a resume to Alysia Callison at [email protected] or at the address below.

To inquire with questions, please contact:
Macon County Conservation District
Alysia Callison, Director of Program Services
3939 Nearing Lane
Decatur, IL 62521
217-423-7708
[email protected]