JOB TITLE: Environmental Education Intern
DEPARTMENT: Education
REPORTS TO: Education and Volunteer Manager
CLASSIFICATION: Volunteer
I. JOB SUMMARY
This is an unpaid internship that prioritizes engagement with participants of all ages and abilities in Wonder Gardens’ educational programs and experiences. This engagement includes guiding field trips and animal meet & greet experiences, providing animal encounters, facilitating hands-on projects, and staffing information tables both onsite and offsite. Programs provide environmental education as well as opportunities to inspire conservation action and health & wellness. All communication will uphold the mission of Wonder Gardens, follow brand guidelines, reflect Wonder Gardens’ messaging as provided, and exhibit strong emotional IQ in relation to both people and animals.
This Internship is designed to prepare an intern for educational and guest services work in non-profit agencies, zoological parks, botanical centers, nature centers, and other wildlife and environmental focused fields. Interns are expected to work both independently and as part of a team.
Applicants may submit a resume and cover letter to Education@WonderGardens.org and complete the intern application available on our website: https://wondergardens.org/volunteers-interns/.
Interns attend a mandatory orientation session before the start of the internship.
II. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Help prepare and deliver on-site, off-site, and/or virtual programs for school groups, organizations, families, and the public. Programs include tours, animal meet & greets, animal feeding encounters, habitat chats, hands-on enrichment programs, and information tables. Participant demographics include all ages, cultures, and abilities with an emphasis on children in grades PK – 5.
- Engage in conversations and provide accurate information about plant and animal species, ensuring positive interactions that are in coordination with Wonder Gardens’ mission and messaging.
- Assist educators with activities, crafts, and supervision during seasonal camps, programs, or children’s events.
- Assist during public events with set up, guest services, wayfinding, and tear down.
- Assist with activities to prepare the park and to clean up afterwards, due to storms or natural disasters.
- Assist with partnership projects with schools and youth groups in the community.
- Assist with the care and maintenance of animals, equipment and materials used in programming.
- Assist in keeping office space, program space, and supplies clean, organized, and stocked.
- Work effectively as a member of a team and provide support to other team members, maintaining positive working relationships and professional boundaries.
III. QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED:
- Minimum 3rd year (Junior) college student pursuing a degree in education, environmental studies, biology, zoology, or related area.
- Must have dependable transportation to work onsite at Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs.
- Must provide own transportation for offsite programs within a 15-mile radius of Wonder Gardens.
- Exceptional customer service and verbal communication skills and capable of interacting with guests in a professional manner.
- Must be able to follow written and oral directions.
- Enthusiastic desire to work with children and adults of all cultures and abilities.
- Knowledge or willingness to learn about local ecosystems and natural history of southwest Florida
- Must be able to work flexible hours/days including weekends, a minimum of 135 hours over 13 weeks.
- Must be able to easily navigate various paved and unpaved terrain, and work outdoors in hot, cold, rainy, humid, and buggy weather.
- Computer skills (Microsoft Office suite and Google Suite working knowledge a plus)
- Requires lifting and transferring up to 50 pounds; pulling a cart up to 100 pounds.
PREFERRED:
- Experience with animals and plants is preferred.
- Experience with children is preferred.
- Bilingual in English, Spanish, Italian, Polish, or German is preferred.
