Zoo Education Intern Summer 2024

Supervisor: Onsite Programs Manager

About Butterfly Pavilion: Here at Butterfly Pavilion, we transform the way people think about invertebrates. These small but mighty animals that surround us are so much more than people think. They are everywhere because everything depends on them. They are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom. As the leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiration and connection, Butterfly Pavilion works to foster an appreciation of these critical animals by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. Whether it is providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future.   

Looking forward, we are committed to providing the most enriching experience for our audience, being recognized as a scientific authority, and being a leading educational resource on invertebrates. To this end, Butterfly Pavilion has begun the early stages of launching a $55 million Capital Campaign to expand Butterfly Pavilion into the Center for Invertebrate Research and Conservation (CIRC) in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility in 2027.  

A large part of who we are as an organization is how we interact with each other.  Valuing our facility, guests, donors, and our team is a priority, without these puzzle pieces we can't make it all work, these Core Values guide us throughout our day. We Love What We Do at Butterfly Pavilion, we Make Science Cool by Going Above and Beyond for all guests, donors, and team members while also Leading Change in invertebrate conservation.  We Know Our Stuff and work to have a healthy culture by Being Positive and Welcoming to All.  These aren't just words, but words for us to live by here at Butterfly Pavilion.

Commitment: Minimum commitment is 2-3 days a week, with a total of 16-24 hours per week. Must complete 250+ hours total for completion of internship. Duration of the internship is approximately 4 months.

Position Summary: Butterfly Pavilion is seeking an individual with an interest in exhibit education. This is a great opportunity for those looking for hands on experience with providing interpretive programs, using animal ambassadors to enhance educational experiences, and improving guest experience skills.

Stipend: Unpaid; school credit can be earned for this internship in most cases.

Key Skills Learned:

• Communication: This position will provide ample opportunity for learning to communicate with a variety of audiences, including children, adults, and other professionals.
• Public Speaking: This position requires giving presentations to large and small groups of people and will allow for learning how to project their voice, speak clearly, and engage their audience.
• Teamwork: This position works closely with a variety of team members including members of other departments. This internship will provide opportunities to learn how to work cooperatively and collaboratively to achieve common goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Interact with Butterfly Pavilion guests of all ages as they visit the exhibits.
• Uphold animal welfare protocols while using live animals to demonstrate science-based concepts to guests.
• Lead public programs in exhibits for large and small groups of guests.
• Meet deadlines and expectations to complete a project over the duration of the internship. Professionally present this project to Butterfly Pavilion team members at the end of the internship.
• Maintain appearance of exhibits and work with other team members as needed to ensure world-class quality of exhibits spaces.

Training: Successfully complete the following:

• New Volunteer and Intern Orientation and All Team Training.
• Department specific onboarding and exhibit training.
• Animal handling training as needed, including tarantula handling.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Experience or interest in customer service and communication skills
• Comfortable interacting with guests of all ages
• Enthusiastic and patient
• Organized and flexible

Minimum Age Requirement: Must be at least 18 years of age.

Physical Demands: These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an intern to successfully perform the essential functions within this position. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the Exhibit Education Intern 

• While performing the responsibilities of the Exhibit Education Intern, the intern is required to talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel. The employee is often required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The vision abilities required by this job include close vision. 
• Ability to lift, carry and load not to exceed 50 lbs. 

Sustainable Impacts: The Exhibit Education Intern will gain valuable hands-on experience and training that can help them gauge their interest or advance their career in an environmental or animal care-based educational setting. Butterfly Pavilion appreciates this internship as an opportunity to provide fresh perspectives and new ways of thinking in our educational exhibit programs and interactions.

Evaluation:

• The Exhibit Education Intern will meet with supervisor every other week to discuss progress on duties and their project as well as any challenges they are facing.
• At the midpoint of the internship, the intern and supervisor will meet to conduct a formal review at which point the supervisor will provide feedback on the intern's performance and offer suggestions for improvement.
• At the end of the internship, the intern and supervisor will meet to conduct a final review of the intern's performance and discuss their experiences.

Application Deadline: April 15th

Apply: Fill out the form to the right and click "Apply for this Position" to start the application process. Must submit a cover letter and resume.