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GOCO Teen Internship

Employer
Butterfly Pavilion
Location
Westminster, Maryland, US
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Sep 9, 2021

View more

Sector
Academic / Research
Field
Conservation science
Discipline
Restoration
Salary Type
Salary
Employment Type
Internship
GOCO Teen Internship

Position Overview: The GOCO Summer Teen Intern will support many facets of our organization. They will bring our exhibits to life, creating connections and providing fun learning opportunities for our guests through up-close animal experiences. They will support unforgettable field trip experiences for school and youth groups. Finally, they will support the horticulture staff by planting, pruning, weeding, watering foliage as well as research and restoration in our outdoor gardens.

Key Duties & Activities:
  • Provide interactive and educational experiences to guests of all ages that help create deeper understanding of our exhibits.
  • Answer basic questions and share information about our animals.
  • Ensure all guests have a safe and fun experience.
  • Use live animals to demonstrate science-based concepts to guests.
  • Help prepare classrooms and materials for each class, including getting and returning animals, locating and organizing teaching props and supplies, etc.
  • Support the education staff in 45-minute interactive, inspiring, age-appropriate science classes, for preK-grade 8 students with teachers and adult chaperones, using best practices for informal learning
  • Helping our horticulture team with tasks to maintain our outdoor gardens such as weeding, planting, raking, watering, and trimming.
  • Follow and model procedures for animal care and safety.
  • Comply with all Butterfly Pavilion policies and procedures.

Minimum Age Requirement: 14

Minimum Commitment: 1 8-hour weekly shift from 9:00-5:00 May through August.

Qualifications & Skills:
  • Background or interest in animals, science, education, and/or conservation.
  • Interest in and ability to learn about horticulture, invertebrates and exhibit interpretation and education techniques.
  • Ability to share information in a friendly, positive and engaging way.
  • Willingness and ability to handle invertebrates.
  • Access to email for scheduling and communications with staff
  • Interest and willingness to learn about our diverse collection of plants
  • Able to work in the warm conditions of the outside gardens
  • Comfortable interacting with high volumes of guests, especially young children.

Physical Demands: Requires ability to sit and stand for extended periods, bend, and lift up to 25lbs. Volunteers will be exposed to high levels of noise on busy days. Requires ability to perform physical work outdoors in various weather conditions. When working outside volunteers should wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes. Volunteers also may want to bring sunscreen, a water bottle, and a hat.

Supervisor: Interpretation Manager

Training:
  • Attend 2 full days of classroom training to learn interpretation techniques and basic information about each exhibit.
  • Complete in-exhibit training for three hours per exhibit with a staff or volunteer mentor to help you become familiar and comfortable with each exhibit.
  • On the job training with both the education and horticulture departments.
  • Access to additional resources, handbooks, and training materials.
  • Additional training sessions covering new exhibits or activities as needed.

Impacts:
  • Help Butterfly Pavilion provide quality interactive and educational experiences to the public every day.
  • Be a part of fun and memorable moments with families and children.
  • Foster an appreciation of invertebrate animals, inspiring guests to take conservation actions in their own lives.
  • Provide essential support to horticulture staff in developing and maintaining healthy plant collections in the gardens

Benefits to Volunteer:
  • Comprehensive training and gained experience with horticulture, communication, education, and interpretation techniques.
  • Experience at an AZA (American Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited institution.
  • Learn fun and fascinating facts about plants.
  • Learn useful gardening skills and techniques.
  • Butterfly Pavilion core volunteers receive free admission to Butterfly Pavilion, 4 annual guest passes to share with friends and family, a 20% discount in Gift Shop and at the "Beestro," invitations to staff and volunteer celebrations, meetings, and other events throughout the year, awards for milestones in volunteer service, and more!


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