Bergen County Zoo – Education Intern

The Bergen County Zoo is a small, approximately 15 acre, zoological park accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. We are located in Paramus, New Jersey. Each year our education department facilitates more than 900 programs, educating more than 40,000 individuals. Our educators strive to provide high-quality, relevant, scientifically accurate education programs using audience-appropriate techniques. Through these programs, we aim to increase our audience’s knowledge of and empathy towards animals and their habitats, and through this knowledge and empathy, we strive to inspire our audience to make informed, deliberate choices in their lives to preserve the natural world.

Education Interns report to full-time education staff and their primary responsibility is the development and teaching of curriculum for our zoo camp program. Interns are also responsible for assisting with other programming needs, such as public and amphitheater programs. They must be available to work from May 23rd through August 14th. Interns work 29 hours per week and are compensated at a rate of up to $10.00 per hour of work.

Position Responsibilities

1. Develop and teach curriculum for children aged 5-15, as well as for parent-toddler dyads.
2. Program presentations in outdoor amphitheater.
3. Create educational props, including crafts.
4. Maintain a clean and organized working space.
5. Occasional organizational and clerical tasks.
6. Light facility maintenance.
7. Attend all staff trainings.
8. Ability to work autonomously and as a team member.
9. Project a professional image that reflects positively on the Zoo and County of Bergen.
10. Perform additional duties, as assigned

Qualifications

1. Proof of NJ residency.
2. Currently enrolled in or have graduated from a college/university. Applicants majoring in education, zoology, resource management, or biology will be given special consideration.
3. Pass pre-employment criminal background check as well as drug screening (urinalysis).
4. Possess a valid Driver’s license and have access to transportation.
5. Ability to use basic office equipment (e.g. computer, copy machine, fax).
6. Committed to conserving wildlife
7. Willingness to be open-minded and flexible.
8. Superior communication and interpersonal skills.
9. Comfortable handling live animals, including invertebrates and reptiles.
10. Able to work outdoors in all weather conditions.

Application Process

1. Send cover letter, resume, and three references by March 1st to Taryn McCrystall, tmccrystall@co.bergen.nj.us. Please, no calls.
2. If you qualify for the position, you will be contacted in early March for an interview date.
3. After the interview process is completed, applicants will be notified regarding hiring by April 1st.