Position Overview: Our Youth Internship Program is perfect for teens 13 and up who want to explore multiple career pathways within an AZA-accredited zoo. Interns will work closely with our Education, Horticulture, Retail, and Guest Services teams to learn all about invertebrate species and habitat conservation while gaining valuable professional experience working with the public. Teens will develop a project and present it at the end of their internship as well as have special sessions and workshops throughout the internship.

Key Duties & Activities:

o Provide interactive and educational experiences to guests of all ages that help create deeper understanding of our exhibits.

o Answer basic questions and share information about our animals.

o Care for indoor and outdoor plant collections to create an immersive habitat for guests and animals.

o Ensure an excellent member and guest experience from the zoo’s point of entry by assisting with direct day-to-day operations of the front desk.

o Assist Retail Operations with duties that are essential to the function of the Gift Shop.

Minimum Age Requirement: Must be at least 13 and in or entering high school in the fall.

Commitment: 7-week program from June 3rd, 2024- July 19th, 2024. Three days per week: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays. 8am – 3pm, with a one-hour lunch break per shift. Adjustments for planned summer vacations and other planned events can be made, but volunteers should plan to miss no more than one week over the summer.

Qualifications & Skills:

o Friendly, curious, and able to enthusiastically interact with Butterfly Pavilion guests of all ages and diverse backgrounds.

o Interest in invertebrate animals, horticulture, global conservation issues, and/or education.

o Motivated to proactively engage with the public and learn about all the different roles they will be exposed to at Butterfly Pavilion

Physical Demands:

o Able to perform physical work indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions – expect some bending, lifting or kneeling, but work can be adapted to specific needs.

o Able to stand or sit for long periods of time.

o Able to work in a noisy environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to moderately loud.

Supervisor: Main Supervisor will be the Volunteer Manager, but work will also be supervised by the Manager on Duty for each department (Retail, Guest Services, Horticulture, Interpretation and Education)

Training:

o Successfully complete New Volunteer and Intern Orientation and All Team Training

o Mentor with Department Team Members to help you become familiar and comfortable with each process of our business.

Impacts:

o Help Butterfly Pavilion provide quality interactive and educational experiences to the public every day.

o Foster an appreciation of invertebrate animals, inspiring guests to take conservation actions in their own lives.

o Provide essential support to horticulture staff in developing and maintaining healthy plant collections and landscapes in the conservatory, gardens, and grounds.

o Support the efforts to keep amazing and diverse products moving into and out of the gift shop.

Benefits to volunteer:

o Learn all about invertebrate animals and their habitats.

o Understand global conservation threats and how you can positively impact the future of these species.

o Gain real-world work experience in customer service, retail, horticulture, and education to build resumes.

o Development of time management, customer service and interpersonal skills.

o Workshops and other events to supplement learning opportunities.

o Opportunity to experience the excitement and wonder our guests receive from visiting Butterfly Pavilion.

Application Instructions:

o One letter of recommendation from a teacher, school counselor, minister, employer, etc.

o Answer in 1-2 pages the following questions: Do you have a specific area of knowledge or interest related to invertebrates? How could you use your creativity, enthusiasm, or knowledge to spark wonder and inspire guests about invertebrates? o Email your essay and letter of recommendation to volunteering@butterflies.org by April 19th, 2024

Contact Taylor at tchang@butterflies.org for questions.