Shark Center Intern

Position Summary: The AWSC Shark Center Intern will play a critical role in delivering our mission to participants in our education and ecotourism programs. In this position, the Shark Center Intern will engage visitors, assist in daily operations, and lead education programs at the Shark Center. This position will also lead one of our ecotourism programs, a harbor cruise throughout Chatham Harbor.  During the internship, the individual will also work on a project that aligns with their skills and interests, with guidance from their internship advisor. Potential projects could include incorporating new ideas to strengthen guest experience, improving volunteer training materials, and creating a new prop or a new exhibit for the Shark Center. 

Internship Period and Schedule: The internship period is from June 1st through Labor Day. Interns work about 35 hours per week and follow a Monday to Friday schedule. 

Responsibilities:

• Engage visitors and assist in daily operations at the Shark Center, the outreach facility of the AWSC, located in Chatham, MA. 
• Lead story time at the Shark Center one day a week. This involves reading a children's book and creating a sing-a-long with matching movements and a fun activity to go along with the story and song.
• Help manage the outdoor fossil dig area and create shark tooth necklaces for guests. This role is outside under a shaded area and requires being on your feet for an extended period of time.
• Lead an hour-long harbor cruise aboard a small vessel 1-2 times a week. This is one of our ecotourism programs, in which you travel around Chatham Harbor and educate guests about shark research. This is not a shark viewing trip.
• Opportunities to assist with training and mentoring volunteers may arise
• Other projects and tasks, as needed. 

Qualifications: Applicants should be pursuing a degree in marine science, environmental conservation, museum studies, education, or a related field. Must be self-motivated, organized, personable, and hardworking. The applicant should also have the ability to interact effectively with staff and work both independently and collaboratively in a small nonprofit environment. If selected, interns are required to complete a criminal background check.  

Ideal candidates should have experience in and be looking to grow the following skills: 

• Science communication
• Public speaking
• Ability to engage audiences of all demographics
• Museum operations
• Curriculum planning
• Informal education programming 

Training: All Interns will receive intensive and thorough training in marine science topics, education pedagogy, the work of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. CPR/First Aid training and media training will also be provided. Internship participants will work with various AWSC staff and collaborators during the training period. 

This is an unpaid internship, but co-ed housing is provided with the other participating interns. If you are unable to bring your own transportation, bikes will be provided. 

AWSC will work with the candidate’s college or university to complete any paperwork if the candidate would like to earn college credit for this internship. 

Please visit the internship page to review the general information for all AWSC internships prior to completing the application. 

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Diversity of opinions, experiences, and backgrounds is a key asset.