The Wild Center is seeking highly motivated Summer Interns to participate in an 8 week position at a natural history museum in the heart of New York State’s Adirondack region. Interns will receive a broad range of museum experience and are a key part of The Wild Center’s education staff. This summer job will help Interns grow leadership skills and develop natural history knowledge. Interns will lead programs in our Museum and on our trails and engage visitors through informal conversations, thematic activity carts, and more. We are looking for passionate, curious, and motivated people to join our summer team.

Learning Experiences and Responsibilities

Build your knowledge in Adirondack natural history, climate change, public speaking, visitor engagement, leadership, and job skills.

Engage with visitors of all ages throughout our exhibit hall, Wild Walk, and outdoor campus.

Learn how to operate technologies such as NOAA’s Science on a Sphere and the virtual reality experience, Birdly. 

Lead programs featuring Wild Center Animal Ambassadors, such as river otters, amphibians, and invertebrates.

Provide excellent customer service by offering positive experiences for all museum guests.

Lead outdoor programs and tasks, including co-leading interpretive canoe trips on the Raquette River. 

Work in our new exhibit and lead “Get Outside” themed programs across our outdoor campus.

Qualifications

Flexibility and the ability to adapt to change  - we work in a dynamic setting with shifting daily duties. 

Self-motivated - you seek opportunities to learn and grow and can thrive independently.

Comfort with public speaking - you will work with small and large audiences.

Positive attitude and a willingness to work with people - you will work directly with visitors of all ages and must enjoy working and communicating with people.

Teamwork and collaboration - we work in a team based environment and offer support across departments.

Communication skills - an interest in teaching natural history and working outdoors.

Policies - be prepared to adhere to all Wild Center dress codes, policies, and values.

Transportation - must have a reliable means to commute to The Wild Center. 

Age - must be at least 16 years old to apply and 18 years old to request to live in our optional staff housing.

Availability - be employed for an 8-week position, starting June 1st or June 29th, schedule will include weekends.

Compensation & Benefits

$12/hour (~35 hours per work week) 

Shared, fully equipped housing on The Wild Center’s property is available for individuals 18 years and older.

Health and Safety, Accessibility, and Customer Service training provided. 

The opportunity to work in an environmentally conscious facility featuring over 50 species of live exhibit animals.

To learn in an immersive environment to develop knowledge of natural and cultural history. 

Formal training opportunities and ongoing mentorship in visitor engagement techniques, interpretative methods, questioning strategies, and interactive learning applications. 

Water safety and canoe basics provided along with the use of boats and SUP’s outside of work hours.