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Brandywine Zoo Conservation Education Apprentice Intern

CONSERVATION EDUCATION APPRENTICE INTERN


PLEASE APPLY HERE: https://form.jotform.com/200015715150034



Position Description
Brandywine Zoo is seeking a dynamic and engaging person to join our education team! We are searching for a dedicated candidate to fill a 9-12 month internship (in 2021). This person will serve as an Educator and work in the Education Department of the Brandywine Zoo.

This person will lead informal and formal education opportunities both on and off site for school programs, family programs, workshops, informal guest encounters, occasionally assist in off-season Zoo Camps, deliver on-grounds experiences and live animal demonstrations, or assist with special events. While we are not holding our traditional large-audience programs during Covid-19, public speaking and presentation skills are still critical to this position, and the candidate should be comfortable presenting to various age and size audiences, especially for virtual programs. While we are not doing as many programs in person these days, this intern will be critical in the growth and success of our virtual programs, so experience and knowledge with online platforms such as YouTube Live, presenting on microphone, and digital design and editing of video clips will be a common duty this year.

Additionally, this position will support the Zoo’s local conservation efforts, both on-grounds and locally around Delaware. They will work to develop partnerships with local community groups, businesses, and schools in support of the Zoo’s ReThink Plastics campaign, a single-use plastics campaign focusing on plastic drinking straws and cutlery through educational efforts, digital/online efforts, and partnership-building. Additionally, they will work with Conservation and Education staff in creating community support and awareness for a new effort within our Urban Wild project, focusing on native pollinators and songbirds (in support of AZA’s Monarch and Songbird SAFE program efforts), as well as urban wildlife co-existence and appreciation programs.

This position will require working weekends, with typically scheduled days off occurring mid-week. It will also require working holidays and evenings on occasion. Shifts for this position are usually 8am – 4pm, unless there is a special event.

Qualifications
  • Must be comfortable handling a variety of live animals, including reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and mammals, and knowledgeable about their natural history. 
  • Must have good time management skills, with the ability to complete designated tasks in a punctual manner. 
  • Attention to detail is necessary for making observations of animals during animal handling.
  • Applicants must be available full time during this entire internship, but should possess (or be working toward) a degree in Biology, Psychology, Anthropology, Animal Science, Pre-Vet, Education, Theater, Wildlife Conservation, or other Biological Sciences. 
  • Must have an interest in working with the general public; especially teaching to children ages 2-13, and mentoring teenage volunteers. 
  • Must exhibit consistent professional characteristics such as a positive attitude, ability to show initiative, emotional maturity and self-responsibility. 
  • Comfortable with public speaking to large audiences in person or via a virtual platform (like YouTube or Facebook Live). 
  • Ability to work independently and problem solve. 
  • Digital media and cloud-computing experience. With so much focus on a digital world currently, candidates for this position should have experience with virtual conferencing platforms and digital media, and ideally experience with digital editing. Ability to use Google Drive and online productivity platforms is a must.
  • Interest in community-based conservation, including building partnerships with local organizations and schools, community outreach, and interest in building relationships with community influencer organizations that impact diversity, equity, and equality for Delawareans.

Required Skills 
  • At least 18 years old with valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
  • Provide proof of negative TB Test within the last 12 months before start date
  • Good physical condition: able to stand/walk for extended periods of time, kneel, crouch, and able to work in all weather conditions. 
  • Be able to lift up to 25 pounds
  • Must be fluent in the English language (verbal and written communication)
  • Overall GPA must be 2.5 or higher
  • Good organizational skills
  • Able and willing to read and follow verbal and written work instructions and work independently
  • Willing to assist with administrative, customer relations, and housekeeping tasks.  
  • Able to commit to upholding all Zoo safety and personnel policies, and support the overall mission.
  • Able to professionally represent the Brandywine Zoo in all interactions with visitors, staff, and other members of the community.
  • Highly competent in Microsoft Office and Google Drive
  • Complete a project of the intern’s own design, and approved by zoo staff, during the internship period.

Responsibilities
  • Delivery of on and off-site programming, in formal and informal settings, both in person and virtually.
  • Management of databases and records, registering and tracking program participants, and tracking program animal data. 
  • Animal handling and presenting of a variety of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and invertebrates. Ability to maintain trained behaviors that have been passed off to the intern after training an approval process. 
  • Able to follow protocols to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases and maintain high levels of animal safety.
  • Involvement in coordinating new sustainability initiatives throughout the zoo, including our ReThink Plastics campaign and working with our Green Team’s sustainability goals. 
  • Creating community connections to zoo sustainability initiatives and new efforts in pollinator, songbird, and urban wildlife conservation.
  • Raising community awareness and support of urban wildlife through wildlife-positive behaviors like backyard gardens and smart consumer choices.
  • Time management and ensuring all aspects of the show operation is running efficiently. This includes strong communication with Education staff.
  • Ability to work weekend days and flexible hours as schedules dictate.