Description/Duties

This is a seasonal, full-time (40 hours/week) position. The summer camp counselors will be responsible for a group of approximately 20 children each day, with two counselors per age level: “Bugs” (ages 6-8) and “Roos” (ages 9-11). Requested age levels will be taken into account; however, they will not be guaranteed.

Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with Education staff and fellow camp counselors to execute camp curricula and activities. This includes, but is not limited to: conducting zoo tours, attending scheduled Ambassador Animal presentations run by Education staff, and facilitating STEAM activities, creek studies, and nature hikes.
• Coordinate daily schedules and manage activity transitions to ensure the group’s timely arrival at the next activity’s location.
• Facilitate camper drop-off and pick-up daily and assist in maintaining camper records, including daily attendance logs.
• Monitor campers to ensure compliance with summer camp rules, policies, and protocols.
• Mediate camper disputes or behavioral situations, and effectively communicate these situations with Education staff.
• Report and record details of camper incidents, such as accidents or camp rule violations, to Education staff and/or camper parents.
• Know and understand the facility’s emergency procedures.
• Prepare, clean, and organize camp materials before and after each camp day.

Camp counselors will not get experience handling animals but will have many opportunities to talk about the animals throughout the zoo. This is a competitive, valuable opportunity at an AZA-accredited facility. Counselors must be able to demonstrate strong verbal communication skills and enthusiastically share a passion for the environment and share that with campers through engaging and motivational interactions. Counselors must be able to effectively work within a team environment.

Camp counselor training will be provided over a two-day orientation prior to the first week of camp.

Requirements

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
• Previous experience working with children in a group setting is preferred.
• A background in education in the natural sciences and/or prior work or volunteer experience based in the natural sciences is preferred.
• Applicants must be enthusiastic about animals, nature, and working with children and should be able to improvise if needed.
• Applicants must be able to successfully complete all legal, company, and department training requirements to include, but not limited to, passing required background checks and any certifications the team sees fit.
• First aid, CPR, or additional training is preferred, but not required.

Company Information

The Lehigh Valley Zoo is located on the Trexler Nature Preserve in Schnecksville, PA. We are a non-profit organization and are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. See our summer camp page for additional information.

How to Apply

Please email a cover letter and resume to Rachel Kranick at rkranick@lvzoo.org by March 1, 2021.

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Internship Requirements & 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.

Applicants must be willing and able to work in all types of weather and must be reliable, trustworthy and able to follow oral and/or written instructions. Applicants should have strong communication skills and be willing to develop public speaking skills, an ability to work alone or in a group, an ability to think creatively and show critical thinking and good problem solving skills.

All interns will be expected to work at least one, eight-hour shift per week and complete the minimum week/hour requirement for their session. Preference will be given to candidates that can commit to two or more days per week. 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, overnights, late outreaches, early mornings, and weekend shifts. Full time interns are not guaranteed consecutive days off. Internships are unpaid and housing is not provided. Interns will need to provide and cover cost of criminal background check, fingerprint clearance, and child abuse clearance. Clearances must have satisfactory results.

Sessions

Spring (January-May)

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

Summer (May-August)

• 13 week requirement
• Unpaid, part-time positions available
• Limited number of full-time (40 hours), stipend positions available
• Application deadline: March 1st

Fall (August-December)

• 16 week requirement
• Unpaid, part-time positions available
• Application deadline: July 1st

How do I apply?

To apply, fill out and email your application (button below), resume, and cover letter to aroth@lvzoo.org.

   Click here for application

Questions?

Email aroth@lvzoo.org.

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Responsibilities May Include

• Assisting in the development of ongoing campaigns
• Understanding the ad purchasing process and meeting with our media team
• Assisting in communications surrounding ad campaigns
• Coordinating with different departments to see an ad campaign through from start to finish
• Analyzing and understanding results and data from ad campaign
• Ability to help design and alter campaigns to our core target market

Who should apply?

• Marketing and advertising internships are open to undergraduate and graduate students.
• This internship is meant for anyone pursuing a career studying marketing, communications or a related field.
• Candidates should be able to demonstrate strong communication skills, an ability to work alone or in a group, the ability to think both creatively and in a highly organized manner, as well as show critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Applicants should have a passion for animal conservation.

Applications and Inquiries

Please note this internship is unpaid and for credit only. If you are interested in applying for the internship please email a cover letter and resume to Howard Scharf at hscharf@lvzoo.org.

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Responsibilities May Include

• Being the first interaction that guests have – this position ensures that the welcome and processing of guests into the zoo is positive and fosters a fun, creative environment.
• Collaborating with marketing and events department to ensure that all signage effectively represents the current efforts of the zoo.
• Ensuring that all Guest Service Staff are able to create a positive experience with zoo guests.
• Aid in creating effective systems to process admissions in a quick but informative way.
• Daily management of part-time and seasonal staff, including Leads.
• Routinely walk around Zoo to ensure that pathway is safe, without obstruction, and litter free. Ensure multiple daily rounds of the institution and encourage conversation with guests/staff, to recognize outstanding staff efforts or troubleshoot guests’/staff frustrations.
• Assign (as necessary) and ensure successful completion of tasks allotted to general Guest Services Associates and Leads.
• Provide positive encouragement to boost the morale of the Guest Services staff.
• Assist in all aspects of Guest Services Training.
• Act as a positive role model for all subordinate staff.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong interpersonal and leadership abilities.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Data management skills.
• Problem solving and analytical abilities.
• Outgoing and friendly to guests and staff.
• Will require some physical labor and lots of walking.

Applications and Inquiries

Please note this internship is unpaid and for credit only. If you are interested in applying for this internship please email a cover letter and resume to Robert Rowan at RRowan@lvzoo.org.

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Responsibilities may include:

• Assisting with membership and fundraising event development
• Developing content for development and/or membership communication materials
• Performing other development related tasks, such as database maintenance and input
• Soliciting local businesses to participate in upcoming fundraising events
• Communication with various departments
• Organizing and assembling membership materials for renewal and acquisition mail campaigns
• Providing on-site assistance at Lehigh Valley Zoo

Who Should Apply?

• Currently enrolled in a full time undergraduate or graduate degree program.
• Candidates should be able to demonstrate strong communication skills, an ability to work alone or in a group, the ability to think both creatively and in a highly organized manner, as well as show critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Able to work in a fast paced environment and adhere to strict deadlines
• Proficient with Microsoft Office
• Have a passion for animal conservation

Start Dates and Duration

The Lehigh Valley Zoo offers internships throughout the year. Each internship lasts approximately 12 weeks but the duration is determined by the intern’s supervisor. Hours, start, and end dates are flexible and to be discussed between the selected intern and their supervisor. Spring internships usually run from February to May, summer internships from May to August, and fall internships from September to December. Interns may also receive course credit for the internship from their respective institutes as arranged by the student and director of conservation education.

Applications and Inquiries

Please send your resume and cover letter to Stefanie Schulberger at sschulberger@lvzoo.org. 

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Who Should Apply?

Animal keeping is a physically demanding profession, and interns are subjected to a variety of physical and environmental challenges. Applicants must be willing and able to work in all types of weather, be able to lift at least 50 lbs., and will be required to have a negative TB test within the last year. Interns must be reliable, trustworthy and be able to follow oral and/or written instructions.

Qualified applicants must have completed at least one year of college or have graduated within the last year. Preferred candidates will have or be working towards a degree in biology, zoology, animal behavior, or any other related field. Applicants should show strong observation and communication skills, an ability to work alone or in a group, an ability to think creatively and show critical thinking and good problem solving skills.

All interns will be expected to work a ten hour day and complete the minimum hour requirement for their session. Internships are unpaid and housing is not provided. Interns may also receive course credit for the internship from their respective institutes as arranged by the student and intern coordinator.

Duration of Internships

The Lehigh Valley Zoo offers internships throughout the year. Summer internships require 300 hours minimum and fall and spring internships require 150 hours minimum. The duration is determined by the intern coordinator, start and end dates are flexible but must be approved in advance.

Typical intern sessions:

• Summer internships
  • Three days a week, mid-May through mid-August (300 hours minimum).
• Fall internships
  • Part time: One day a week, end of August through December (150 hours minimum).
  • Full time: Three days a week, end of August through December (12 weeks and 360 hours minimum).
• Spring internships
  • Part time: One day a week, end of January through May (150 hours minimum).
  • Full time: Three days a week, end of January through May (12 weeks and 360 hours minimum).

How to Apply

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter stating career goals, prior experience, and other pertinent information to Amy Tucker at atucker@lvzoo.org. Please specify interest in which session time along with availability. Applications sent after the deadline will not be taken into consideration.

Deadlines for Applications

• Summer session: March 1st
• Fall session: July 1st
• Spring session: November 15th

Important Information

*All internships are unpaid. The Lehigh Valley Zoo does not provide housing for interns. It is the responsibility of the intern to arrange and pay for housing and associated costs of living for the duration of the internship.

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