The Wild Center is seeking interns to participate in a ten-month museum fellowship position led by our experienced staff at a natural history museum in the heart of New York State’s Adirondack region. You will be immersed in daily museum operations; interns will get a broad range of museum experience and are a key part of The Wild Center’s interpretive staff. You will be trained in the field of interpretation and museum standard methodologies, as well as cross-trained across museum administrative, facilities, frontline and other departments. This position offers experience in museum operations, school and group management, development, marketing, visitor services and event coordination. You will grow your leadership skills and have the opportunity to develop your knowledge of natural history. This position involves handling live animals, which can include raptors, reptiles, mammals, and others. Special projects change seasonally, and may include the community maple sugaring operation, youth climate change program, art-based programs, volunteer management, and more. If you have passion and curiosity about what it takes to be a world-class museum, there is a place for you here.

Responsibilities and Tasks

During this fellowship, you will have the opportunity to learn in a variety of museum areas.

You will:

• Develop and deliver programs for museum visitors, such as live animal encounters, behind the scenes tours, canoe trips, naturalist walks, and more
• Assist with daily operations, including maintenance and development of education materials, exhibit upkeep, and visitor engagement
• Work with a collection of approximately 40 species of native Adirondack animals including river otters, birds of prey, snakes, turtles, amphibians, fish etc. Those candidates who have an interest in a deeper dive into animal care may be selected for special projects that will include daily husbandry (such as diet prep, cleaning habitats, helping with medical procedures), behavioral enrichment, and positive reinforcement based training
• Greet, instruct, and supervise school and private groups
• Assist with basic building and ground maintenance and operations
• Provide excellent customer service for our thousands of visitors annually
• Coordinate events, which involves organizing a team, communicating effectively, and crafting educational experiences
• Lead two-hour interpretive canoe and/or stand up paddleboard programs on flat water
• Work outdoors in multiple seasons, involving walking on uneven surfaces, organizing outdoor areas, exhibit guiding on our trails, and facilitating outdoor experiences
• Get experience in earned income operations including admissions, museum cafe, and store operations
• Work on teams that involve all departments (such as Animal Care, Facilities, Development, Admissions, and Volunteers) to achieve museum goals
• Work schedule is a 35 hr. week - includes weekends and occasional mornings/evenings.
• Available from February 1st, 2019 - end of November 2019 (end date flexible)

Qualifications

• Flexibility and the ability to adapt to change as it arises - The Wild Center is a dynamic setting where responsibilities can change quickly
• Positive attitude - you will be challenged to go outside your comfort zone
• Organization and time management skills - you will work on multiple tasks concurrently
• Self-motivated - you seek opportunities to learn and grow; you can thrive independently
• Experience working with people - customer service, teaching, sales, etc.
• Teamwork and collaboration - we often work in groups and depend on each other
• Interest in teaching natural history and working with animals in human care
• Prior experience with canoes and/or stand up paddleboards, or willingness to learn
• Maturity and professionalism - we will consider you if you demonstrate the above skills regardless of level of education completed
• An interest in learning more about a career in environmental education, museum studies, or related fields - we will support you in pursuit of your professional interests
• Comfort living in communal housing - you will live with your colleagues and share living spaces

Compensation

• $350/week + room in shared housing located ¾ mile from the campus
• Access to canoes and stand up paddleboards for use outside of work hours
• Certifications and training:
  • Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association of Interpretation
  • New York State Licensed Guide
  • First Aid/CPR/AED certification - Wilderness First Aid possible
  • Visual Thinking Strategies
  • Mentorship in crafting and delivering interactive public programs
  • Canoe and stand up paddleboard skills
  • Project management experience
  • Customer service
  • Community outreach opportunities
  • Creating content to engage with audiences via social media
  • K-12 education techniques
  • Use of educational technology like Science on a Sphere
  • Natural history of the Adirondacks