Visitor Education Intern (Fall 2020)
Time commitment:
12-16 Week Commitment. At least 2-3 full days per week.
Summary:
The Visitor Education intern interacts with visitors to the Aquarium to provide informational and entertaining content regarding exhibits, conservation, and the work of the Aquarium in presenting, promoting, and protecting the world of water. Interns provide interpretation of the different galleries in the Aquarium, connecting people to the exhibits and creating a learning environment that supports the goals of the institution.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Provide educational interpretation to Aquarium visitors
- Work with a wide range of ages from young children to adults
- Give formal and informal presentations on various topics to groups ranging in size from 2-300
- Assist with special thematic programming (including wearing mascot costumes)
- Supervise and train volunteers including teen interns while evaluating programs and performance
- Help to develop programs and presentations that focus on specific topics or exhibits
- Create volunteer updates, program development, interpretive plans for exhibits, informational graphics and/or preparing biofacts for the use of interpretation
- There are also occasional opportunities to interact with other aquarium departments including Marine Mammals, the Animal Medical Center, Giant Ocean Tank, Family Programs, etc.
- Attend two professional development lunches with the Volunteer Programs and Internships Office
Qualifications:
- Must have coursework in Education, Human Development, Drama, or Biology
- Must have an interest in learning about all aspects of marine life and the oceans
- Must possess a sense of curiosity and a desire to share with others
- Must be willing to interact with large numbers of Aquarium visitors of various ages and to handle animals and train others to handle animals
- Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Must be able to work individually as well as with a team
*All interns will be given training in interpretation, public speaking, marine life, and the handling of live animals.
Organizational Description:
The New England Aquarium’s mission is to protect the blue planet through hands-on programs, live animal and interactive exhibits, public lectures and forums, and research and conservation projects.
This mission is fulfilled through exhibits, and through education, conservation and research programs. Exhibits showcase the diversity, importance and beauty of aquatic life and habitats, and highlight critical aquatic conservation issues. Programs emphasize species, habitats and issues critical to New England. The Aquarium is also a pioneer in marine animal rescue and a leading ocean conservation organization with research scientists working around the globe.
The New England Aquarium serves as a responsive community resource that attracts and involves the broadest possible audience; seeks a culturally diverse staff and governing board that reflect our community; adheres to the highest standards of animal stewardship; and is committed to delivering the highest quality visitor experience in a welcoming and enjoyable manner that evokes wonder, curiosity, understanding, caring and action.
Departmental Description:
The role of the Visitor Experience Department is to ensure that all visitors will have an engaging, logistically smooth, and educational experience so that they will leave the Aquarium knowledgeable about what’s happening in the world’s oceans, the role they can play in making positive changes, and inspired to take action to support the blue planet.
To Apply: