Sustainability - Conservation Internship Summer 2019

Join us in our mission, connecting communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife! Learn at the Houston Zoo and become a part of an organization that is focused on the preservation of wildlife and their habitats by combining conservation with education and promotion of sustainable livelihoods in local communities.

The Houston Zoo is inviting students to participate in an internship with the Conservation Department! Through strategic wildlife conservation partnerships, which work to conserve the wild counterparts of our ambassador animals at the Zoo, we provide success stories, actions, and inspiring messaging to advance the Zoo’s mission. This is an unpaid opportunity that will allow students to gain experience with understanding the Zoo’s role as a change agent in the wildlife conservation world and allow them to create professional relationships to grow their conservation network. Interns will be involved in the organization of Zoo activities and programs that engage Zoo staff in sustainability and conservation work. Internship will take place at the Houston Zoo with time split between the office and on-grounds. 

Applicants interested in this position should be detail oriented, dependable, positive and exhibit excellent communication skills. Candidates should have a passion for sustainability issues and a desire to gain practical knowledge of sustainability efforts within a conservation organization. The curriculum for this internship is designed to provide students the opportunity to learn the following conservation principles: 

• Saving animals in the wild through sustainability practices 
• Conservation in zoos and in the wild
• Conservation messaging to various audiences
• Inspiring action in Houston Zoo audiences 
• Partnerships with local and international wildlife conservation organizations 
• Wildlife saving campaigns and behavior change programs

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with sustainability and conservation programing 
• Provide sustainability and conservation enhancement support through research, evaluation and monitoring of programming, interacting with public on grounds, and assisting with events
• Participate in any of the following:  baseline data collection, identifying sources of waste and inefficiencies and recommending and implementing solutions
• Assist with managing and analyzing sustainability performance data, including energy performance and efficiency and lifecycle cost/supply chain analysis
   

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND ENVIRONMENT:
This opportunity involves moderate physical activity. Walking and lots of time outside may be required for specific projects, in all different weather conditions including heat, humidity, rain, cold, or dust. It may also involve considerable physical exertion such as reaching, repetitive motions, and lifting and/or moving heavy objects (up to 50 lbs.). Due to the nature of this environment, interns will have heavy public contact requiring considerable interpersonal and negotiation skills, extensive interaction with the public, some donors and members. 

REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS:

• 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year college students working toward a sustainability/conservation related career in a wildlife, environmental, communication, or education-related field. A recent college graduate with this focus will also be considered. 

• Must be comfortable presenting programs to all audiences and in offsite community events 
• Creative skills to transform wildlife conservation and sustainability material into entertaining, inspiring programs
• Ability to conduct research, compile, and analyze data
• Passion for sustainability, conservation, and wildlife 
• Availability to commit to at least 200 hours, 3 days/week, 8 hours/day, occasional evening/weekends.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office products particularly, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
• Exhibit excellent oral communication and writing skills 
• Must be a self-starter 
• Ability to multi-task and excel in a fast-paced environment 
• Effective project management skills essential 
• Ability to conduct research and compile large amounts of data
• Life Cycle Analysis skills preferred
• Must be comfortable with public speaking 
• Compose an educational presentation at the end of the internship
• Must possess a strong knowledge and understanding of current sustainability trends and best practices

To apply, please visit our website at https://www.houstonzoo.org/make-memories/adults/internships/ and submit an application online by March 1. Summer internships will be completed between May and August.

For additional requirements, visit our website.