Responsibilities May Included

• Proper animal handling and presentation techniques
• Animal and conservation information and messaging
• Effective education, communication, and public speaking skills
• Educational program development within a zoo setting
• Assisting with and potentially running programming that can include animal presentations, keeper chats, zoo-reach programs, summer camp activities, scout programs, zoo tours, nature hikes, creek studies, and more.
• Helping with and running camp. This includes all tasks related to the preparation, execution, and cleanup of summer camps which includes but is not limited to assisting with early drop off and late-pick up for campers. Interns will be running the pre zoo camps (ages 4-5).

• Research. This includes researching the appropriate information about specific species/habitats/topics related to the species we have here at the Lehigh Valley Zoo and the ambassador animals that interns work with directly as to prepare for facilitating educational programs to the best of the intern’s ability. Interns may also be asked to research and create materials such as infographics, exhibit graphics, newsletters, blogs etc. It is expected that all information is correct and accurate.
• Learn and execute appropriate interpretation techniques. It is an expectation for the intern to invest effort into developing their educational technique skills and focus on the concept of education more than just reiterating factual knowledge.
• Complete required courses on San Diego Zoo Global with satisfactory results.
• Assist with any daily scheduled or unscheduled programs or activities including but not limited to scheduled mingles, camps, or related tasks, crowd control, general house-keeping tasks, etc.
• Assist with giraffe feeds under the supervision of AC or EDU (seasonal dependent). This will be at the discretion of the Director of Education.
• Directly communicate with the Education Specialist(s), Lead Education Specialist, and/or Director of Conservation Education in terms of Lehigh Valley Zoo related matters, education programs, and any other relevant topics.
• General maintenance as needed.
• Perform other related work as required or requested by Education Staff.

Internship Expectations

Conservation Education internships are open to undergraduate, graduate, and recently graduated students. You must be over 18 to participate in our internship. Interns must also have a valid driver’s license (driving zoo vehicles is required) and reliable transportation to the zoo.

This internship is designed for anyone pursuing a career in: conservation, biology, environmental science, education, or another related field. Preferred candidates would have a background or interest in education and/or environmental sciences or biology related field.

Intern must have established skills or be willing and open to learn new principles & practices of educational program development, learning theories, interpretive techniques, teaching methods, and teaching all age levels on a variety of topics. Intern must also have established skills and/or be willing and open to improve oral and written communication skills, effective presentation skills, and effective interpersonal skills. Intern must be willing and able to function and perform tasks independently and as a part of a team. Applicants must be willing and able to work in all types of weather and must be reliable.

Part time positions (unpaid) are offered in the spring, summer, and fall. Part time interns will be expected to work at least one, eight-hour shift per week for the fall/spring and two, eight-hour shifts per week in the summer. Preference will be given to candidates that can commit to two or more days per week. Full time interns (stipend, limited positions, summer only) are expected to work a five-day, eight hour shift for the full thirteen weeks. The hours of this internship vary based on staff schedules and scheduled programming. Interns can expect to typically fall into an 8:00AM to 4:30PM shift (with a half hour lunch). Interns are expected to be open to an irregular schedule with possible holiday work, late outreaches, early mornings, and weekend shifts. Full time interns are not guaranteed consecutive days off. Internship housing is not provided and will be on the responsibility of the intern applying. We will do our best to assist potential interns to find appropriate housing. Interns will also need to provide criminal background check, fingerprint clearance, and child abuse clearance. The zoo will cover the cost of the clearances if you provide the proper documentation/receipts assuming the clearances have satisfactory results.

General Requirements

• Must possess valid driver’s license.
• No allergies to plants and animals which may interfere with the ability to work.
• Ability and willingness to remain on feet or sit for long periods of time, climb stairs, bend, and move/lift 40lbs.
• Ability and willingness to work outside in all weather conditions.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible schedule, which may include weekends, holidays, evenings, and after-hours assignments.
• Ability and willingness to work overtime.
• Ability to follow any zoo policies, department specific or all zoo policies that apply to the person.
• Must be honest, transparent, and willing to communicate about work related topics or personal topics that have or may affect performance/work.
• Must be punctual
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Sessions

Spring (January-May)

• 16 week requirement
• Unpaid, part-time positions available
• Application deadline: November 15th

Summer (May-August)

• 12 week requirement
• Unpaid, part-time positions available
• Limited number of full-time (40 hours), stipend positions available
• Application deadline: March 15th

Fall (August-December)

• 16 week requirement
• Unpaid, part-time positions available
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• Application deadline: