Zoo Education Intern

Title: Zoo Education Intern

Supervisor: Interpretation Coordinator and Community Engagement Manager

Internship Timeframe: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 – Friday, May 30, 2025

About Butterfly Pavilion: At Butterfly Pavilion, (BP) 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, firsthand 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.

Our Core Values are a large part of who we are as an organization:

• Make Science Cool

• Love What You Do

• Go Above and Beyond

• Lead Change

• Know Your Stuff

• Be Positive
• Welcome All

These aren’t just words, but words to live by here at Butterfly Pavilion.

Commitment:

• 12-16 hours per week for the duration of the internship. The weekly schedule is flexible to accommodate class and work schedules.

• Must be available for orientation on January 7th, 2025
• Must be available for final presentation of project on May 21st, 2025

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

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.

Upon orientation completion, the intern will work with their supervisor to develop a work plan and project outline. Interns are required to develop a term project and presentation. Additional information for this project will be provided upon starting.

Essential Functions & 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.

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.

Qualifications:

• Experience or interest in customer service and communication skills

• Comfortable interacting with guests of all ages

• Enthusiastic and patient
• Organized and flexible

Additional Requirements:

• Equipment: Must have access to personal laptop or computer with internet connection

• Must be available for orientation on January 7th, 2025

• Must be available for final presentation of project on May 21st, 2025

• Must have reliable transportation to and from Butterfly Pavilion
• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age

Training:

Successfully complete the following:

• Intern Orientation and All Team Training.

• Department specific onboarding and exhibit training.
• Animal handling training as needed, including tarantula handling.

Work Environment / Physical Requirements:

While performing the responsibilities of this position, the following work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the position will encounter. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

• At Butterfly Pavilion, the team member is occasionally exposed to moderate to loud environmental noise for extended periods of time. While performing the responsibilities of this position, the team member is required to talk and hear. The team member is often required to sit and stand, use their hands and fingers, to handle/feel/grasp. The team member is occasionally required to reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The team member should be able to lift, carry and items up to 50 lbs.

Application Deadline: December 20th, 2025

How to Apply:

Butterfly Pavilion encourages people of all backgrounds to apply for open positions and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.

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. Please no phone calls or walk-ins.

Note: An offer is contingent upon passing of a criminal background check.

For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.

https://butterflies.applicantpro.com/jobs/3563450-21049.html