Ambassador Animal Internship – Onsite

Animal Programs Department

To Apply:

Interested applicants should provide a cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation to Anna Turchick at [email protected].

Description:

Join the National Aviary’s Animal Programs team as an Ambassador Animal Intern. Gain valuable experience in animal care, training, guest engagement, and enrichment.  Our department cares for a variety of species including parrots, birds of prey, and other mixed species who participate in conservation education programs including free-flight shows, classes, outreaches, and up-close Animal Encounters.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Care for a variety of Animal Ambassadors
• Maintain habitats
• Prepare diets for various species
• Observe various bird behaviors
• Observe operant conditioning techniques
• Assist with free-flight bird shows
• Create animal enrichment
• Public speaking
• Observe diverse conservation educational experiences
• Participate in formal intern workshops

Education, Experience and Skills:

Animal Ambassador trainers and interns work in a very fast-paced environment. Due to the nature of the work, applicants must:

• Be able to lift 50 pounds
• Prepare diets that include mice and chick
• Work around allergens such as nuts, fish, and latex
• Work as a member of a team and independently
• Be a self-starter with a positive attitude
• Interact positively with the public

Additional Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Work a minimum of 3 days a week for fall and spring semesters and 5 days a week for the summer
• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays
• Must be willing to work 7:30 am – 4 pm

For students who are eligible for work study through their college: Speak with your financial aid or student advisor within your college or university to establish the National Aviary as an approved work study site.

Animal Collections Internship – Onsite

Animal Collections Department

To Apply:

Interested applicants should provide a cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation to Bri Crane, [email protected].

Description:

This internship is catered towards individuals interested in pursuing a career in animal care. Interns work with our aviculturists to learn about husbandry, training, and education as the Animal Collections Department encompasses all of those areas.  Preference given to college students and recent graduates who are interested in the animal care and zoo fields.  This internship is very competitive, and an application does not guarantee an interview. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Daily husbandry – cleaning exhibits, diet feed out, etc.
• Food Prep – diet prep, cleaning dishes, etc.
• Daily Presentations – crowd control, assist aviculturists, lorikeet feedings

Education, Experience and Skills:

• Current college student or recent graduate – biology, zoology, psychology, or other animal care majors preferred
• Self-starter who can work as a team as well as independently
• Considering career in animal care field

Additional Requirements:  

• At least 18 years old
• Lift 50 lbs
• Comfortable working indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions
• Comfortable interacting with the public
• Work at least two days/week (Fall and Winter sessions) or four days/week (Summer session)

Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted directly.

Education Programs Internship – Onsite

Education Department

To Apply:

Interested applicants should provide a cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation to Katie Manion, [email protected].

Description: 

The goal of this internship is to provide students valuable experience in the field of informal education. Our work incorporates practices from environmental, conservation, and informal science education. Interns considering a career in classroom-based, informal education, or public engagement in AZA organizations will gain valuable experience on engaging learners of all ages and backgrounds. The Education Programs intern will work under the direct supervision of the National Aviary’s Education Programs team, including the Curator of Education and the Program Specialist. This internship focuses on developing, facilitating, and evaluating a variety of conservation-based programs and experiences, including on-site programs for schools, families, and scouts, educational events, and community outreach.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Public speaking
• Conservation education
• Observing diverse educational experiences
• Participate in formal intern workshops
• Assist in development and preparation of educational programming
• Assist with delivery of onsite and outreach educational programs
• Assist in preparation and facilitation of educational events
• Plan and execute a conservation-based educational experience
• Support Animal Programs team through show ushering and AV support

Education, Experience and Skills:

Education programs staff and interns work in a very fast-paced environment. Due to the nature of the work, applicants must:

• Be enthusiastic about engaging with a wide variety of audiences in support of the National Aviary’s mission
• Interact positively with public audiences of all ages
• Work well in a team and independently
• Be a self-starter with a positive attitude

Additional Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Availability to work a minimum of three days a week is preferred
• Availability to work weekends is preferred

Horticulture Internship – Onsite

Buildings & Grounds Department

To Apply:

Interested applicants should provide a cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation to Sara Showers, [email protected].

Description:

Zoological horticulture is a dynamic field at the intersection of plant care, landscape design, animal care, ecology, and conservation. Interns work with our horticulturist to gain hands-on experience in plant identification, plant care and propagation, landscape maintenance, and the essential role of horticulture in zoo operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Daily maintenance – irrigation, weeding, pruning, etc.
• Special projects – planting, transplanting, assisting with hardscape installation, etc.
• Public interaction – answer general questions, short-answer one-on-one education to the public when appropriate, etc.

Education, Experience and Skills:

• Current technical school or college student or recent graduate – horticulture, biology, ecology, or other natural science programs preferred
• Able to work independently as well as in small groups
• Considering a career in horticultural field

Additional Requirements:  

• At least 18 years old
• Able to use stairs and 6’ ladders
• Able to lift 40 lbs
• Comfortable working indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions
• Comfortable interacting with the public
• Work at least two days/week

Philanthropy Internship – Hybrid

Philanthropy Department

To Apply:

Interested applicants should provide a cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation to Ted Bartlett, [email protected]. 

Description:

The National Aviary is seeking a current college student, graduate student, or recent college graduate who is interested in serving as an intern and providing a wide range of database, copy writing, research, administrative, and general support to the National Aviary’s Philanthropy Department. In return, the National Aviary will provide a structured program in which the intern has the opportunity to gain experience in and familiarity with areas such as fundraising, philanthropy, special events, Membership acquisition and retention, avian conservation issues, and the day-to-day operations of a nonprofit organization with a national and global reach. The Philanthropy intern will report to the Manager of Institutional Giving, and will collaborate with the Manager of Philanthropy Services, Manager of Philanthropic Partnerships, Senior Manager of Philanthropy, and Director of Philanthropy. This position supports the entire philanthropy team. Please note, this is a hybrid position.

Specific Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assist Philanthropy staff with donor communication, including writing correspondence
• Manage projects related to our special events
• Assist with writing grant proposals, appeals, and other copy
• Perform research of potential donors, partners, and sponsors as needed
• Data entry and/or cleaning
• Reach out to potential donors and sponsors to discuss opportunities
• Develop fundraising strategies with the assistance of the Philanthropy team

Qualifications:

• Strong writing and research abilities
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel
• Past or current involvement in any of the following areas: development (yes, fundraising for your scout troop, church, marching band, student council, etc. counts), membership, special events, marketing
• Experience with writing for social media is a plus
• Desire to learn more about fundraising and philanthropy
• Excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail
• A demonstrated commitment to the National Aviary’s mission and values
• High ethical standards and personal integrity

Additional Requirements:

• Preference will be given to students earning credits for their internship
• Job listing is for a part-time, unpaid internship, with an estimated 20-25 hours/week
• No housing provided

What to Expect:

• A collaborative environment with some tasks that are tailored to your interests
• Regular check-ins to assess progress and exchange formal feedback
• A fun and unique working environment (Depending on the intern’s location, there may be opportunities to work onsite. However, this is primarily a remote position.)

Hours, Start Date, Duration:

Flexible within business hours (8:30 am to 5:00 pm). A commitment of 20-25 hours per week is required. The internship will start in the summer at a mutually agreed upon date and may continue into the fall depending on mutual interests and satisfactory performance.

Education Programs Internship – Onsite

Education Department

To Apply: 

Interested applicants should provide a cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation to Teri Grendzinski at [email protected].

Description: 

The goal of this internship is to provide students valuable experience in the field of youth volunteer coordination. Interns considering a career in classroom-based, informal education, volunteer management or public engagement in AZA organizations will gain valuable experience working with youth volunteers. The Teen Volunteer Program Intern will work under the direct supervision of the National Aviary’s Education Programs team, including the Volunteer Manager and the Curator of Education. This internship focuses on planning and facilitating engaging activities, providing mentorship and guidance to young people within a group setting, fostering a positive and safe environment, and ensuring the well-being of participants while working collaboratively with other volunteers and staff, all while acting as a positive role model for the youth they serve.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Working with youth volunteers 14-17 years old
• Program planning and implementation
• Mentorship and guidance
• Group facilitation
• Safety and supervision
• Communication and collaboration
• Participate in formal intern workshops

Education, Experience and Skills:

Education programs staff and interns work in a very fast-paced environment. Due to the nature of the work, applicants must:

• Be enthusiastic about engaging with a wide variety of audiences in support of the National Aviary’s mission
• Have a passion for working with youth
• Have strong leadership skills and an ability to create a positive group dynamic
• Work well in a team and independently
• Be a self-starter with a positive attitude

Additional Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Availability to work a minimum of four days a week, Tuesday through Friday