Conservation Education Apprentice Intern
DELAWARE STATE PARK INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
DESCRIPTION
Brandywine Zoo is seeking a dynamic and engaging applicant to join our Conservation Education team! We are searching for a dedicated candidate to fill a 6-month internship. This person will assist with community engagement, education, and field conservation efforts in the Conservation Education Department at the Brandywine Zoo. This person will assist with informal and formal education opportunities both on and off site for school programs, family programs, informal guest encounters, and deliver on-grounds experiences and live animal demonstrations or assist with special events. Public speaking and presentation skills are critical to this position, and the candidate should be comfortable presenting to various age and size audiences and working closely with animal ambassadors. Additionally, this position will support the Zoo’s local conservation efforts both on and off zoo grounds.
They will work with staff to support our Urban Wild project by assisting with logging and inventorying camera trap photos, as well as support with Kestrel Box monitoring in partnership with the Delaware Kestrel Partnership. This person will learn hands-on field research techniques and assist with research efforts at the zoo as well as spread awareness about this conservation work through engaging with zoo guests. This person should also be willing to assist with various administrative and housekeeping tasks. This position will occasionally require working weekends, holidays, and evenings. Shifts for this position are usually 8 am – 4 pm, unless there is a special event.
Location: Brandywine Zoo – Wilmington, DE
https://brandywinezoo.org
Term: 6 months Full Time, 37.5 hours per week
Daily Hours: 8AM-4PM ability to work weekends and holidays required
Direct Supervisor: Curator of Education and Conservation
Stipend: $100/week
Housing: Limited, free, dorm style housing is available on a first come first serve basis.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be comfortable handling a variety of live animals, including reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and mammals, and knowledgeable about their natural history.
- 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.
- Attention to detail is necessary for making observations of animals during animal handling and reviewing camera trap footage.
- Must have an interest in working with the public and must be comfortable educating guests of all ages.
- Interest in community-based conservation, science education, and conservation field research.
- Ability to be flexible in day to day tasks and a positive attitude, as tasks may involve work outdoors in varying weather conditions, administrative tasks, and educating both in schools or on zoo grounds.
- Must exhibit consistent professional characteristics such as a positive attitude, ability to show initiative, emotional maturity and self-responsibility.
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)
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Delivery of on and off-site conservation based educational programming, in both formal and informal settings, with and without animal ambassadors.
- Animal handling and presenting of a variety of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and invertebrates while speaking.
- Management of databases and records, registering and tracking program participants, and tracking program animal data, and logging and analyzing data for various conservation projects.
- Assistance with seasonal conservation field work as assigned under supervision such as deployment of camera traps, monitoring kestrel nest boxes, and more.
- Ability to follow protocols to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases and maintain high levels of animal safety.
- Strong communication skills with Education staff and flexibility to complete education and conservation projects as assigned, and ability to work weekend days and flexible hours as schedules dictate.
BENEFITS:
- Training: A hallmark of the program, interns receive training from field experts with whom they will be working. Interns will also have the opportunity to build associated skills and share real-time experience with park staff and colleagues. Training will be made available to the interns to further their personal and professional development. Additionally, the position will develop critical skills for those interested in a career in conservation, education, natural resource management, or ecological studies. Opportunities for school credit are available.
- Housing: Limited co-ed housing is available, at no fee, for interns providing full-time hours (30 or more per week). If selected for housing, an intern will share a house, duplex or dorm facility with other interns.
- Activities: Interns will have the opportunity not only to visit ALL Delaware State Parks at no fee, but also participate in many of the tours, programs, and associated events for free. Delaware State Parks span the length of the state and whether it be canoeing at Trap Pond State Park, surfing at Delaware Seashore State Park, attending a concert at Bellevue State Park, or touring the living history facility at Fort Delaware, there is certainly something for everyone.
- Stipend Available: Interns are not employees of the State of Delaware- they are considered volunteers and are not paid for their service. Interns may elect to receive a stipend to help cover expenses incurred during their volunteer intern service. The stipend is a fixed amount of $100 per week for service of 30 or more hours per week or $50.00 per week for service of between 20 – 29 hours/ week paid biweekly as a direct deposit into the intern’s bank account.
- The stipend is not a wage but does count toward the total income on which the intern’s tax obligation is based. Interns electing to receive the stipend will complete IRS Form W-9 Request for Tax-Payer Identification as self-employed and will receive a Form 1099 at the end of the year that reports the amount of income from the stipend. No taxes are withheld from the stipend.
All Delaware State Parks Interns are required to undergo and successfully complete a background check performed by the Division.
