EES Entomology Intern

Title: Environment and Ecological Services (EES) Entomology Intern

Position Reports To: EES Manager

Direct Reports: None

Timeframe: Monday, August 19 - Friday, December 20, 2024

About Butterfly Pavilion: At Butterfly Pavilion, we transform the way people think about invertebrates. These small but mighty animals that surround us are so much more than people think. They are everywhere, because everything depends on them. They are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom. As the leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiration and connection, Butterfly Pavilion works to foster an appreciation of these critical animals by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. Whether it is providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future.   

Looking forward, we are committed to providing the most enriching experience for our audience, being recognized as a scientific and invertebrate research and conservation authority and being a leading educational resource on invertebrates. Butterfly Pavilion is currently engaged in a $55 million Capital Campaign to expand Butterfly Pavilion into a new global, state-of-the-art research, education, and conservation hub breaking ground in 2025.

Our Core Values are a large part of who we are as an organization:

• Make Science Cool
• Love What You Do
• Go Above and Beyond
• Lead Change
• Know Your Stuff
• Be Positive
• Welcome All

These aren't just words, but words for us to live by here at Butterfly Pavilion.

Commitment: 16 hours per week. This position runs from August 19th, 2024- December 20th, 2024.

Position Summary: Butterfly Pavilion is seeking a highly driven, motivated and energetic individual with an interest in invertebrates and field work. This is a great opportunity for those looking for hands-on experience in collecting, preserving, and identifying invertebrates. This position would assist the Environmental and Ecological Services (EES) team in field work, data organization, insect collection, preservation and identification. The EES department focuses on working for oil and gas companies as well as larger local cooperation's in restoring land and creating native pollinator friendly habitat. By collecting and ID'ing invertebrates at each individual site we are able to give a baseline idea of what invertebrates are present, and how we can recommend native plantings to attract and support more pollinators. This is a great opportunity for those looking for hands-on experience in field and laboratory settings who are seeking a career in research and conservation.

Compensation: Unpaid; school credit can be earned for this internship in most cases.

Location: Based in Westminster, Colorado and sites are spread throughout the state.

Housing: Housing and vehicles are not provided.

Key Skills Learned:

• Visual observation and identification of invertebrates in the field
• This position requires some previous experience in insect identification through previous work or coursework
• The selected candidate will need to show ability and drive to learn how to ID in a fast-paced, outdoor environment.
• Invertebrate collection
• This position requires an intern to hike around field sites, setting up pan traps, pitfall traps, and using aerial and sweep nets.
• Data organization
• This position will require the use of excel spreadsheets to compile data collected in the field.
• Invertebrate Preservation and ID
• This position involves working in the lab with invertebrate specimens. Pin, point, and preserve specimens of large and small sizes.
• Use microscopes to identify specimens to family level.
• Label specimens with family name and pertinent collection information.
• Teamwork
• This position works closely with a variety of team members including members of other departments. This internship will provide opportunities to learn how to work cooperatively and collaboratively to achieve common goals.
• Public Speaking
• Upon completion of internship, a presentation directed at a small group of fellow interns and BP staff is required. This will allow them to learn how to project their voice, speak clearly, and engage their audience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide support to the EES team
• Maintain a clean working environment
• Assist the EES team in outdoor field work, visual identification, and collection of invertebrates
• Transfer field data to excel spreadsheets for online use and storage
• Assist EES team in lab work consisting of preservation and identification of invertebrates
• Meet deadlines and expectations to complete an independent project over the internship. Professionally present this project to Butterfly Pavilion team members at the end of the internship.
• Uphold AZA accreditation standards
• Comply with USDA containment standards

Training: Successfully complete the following:

• Successfully complete New Volunteer and Intern Orientation and All Team Training.
• Department specific onboarding training.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Interest in invertebrate conservation work (lab and field)
• Attention to detail, especially when preserving and identifying invertebrates and correct data input.
• Actively pursuing an associate degree or higher in biological science, environmental, or a natural resources field from an accredited university. Recent graduates also accepted.
• Experience conducting ecological research, particularly participating in fieldwork, a plus
• Basic computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets) Microsoft Suite
• Basic fieldwork skills, including using a global positioning system, are a plus
• Enthusiastic and patient
• Organized and flexible
• Able to pass a criminal background check
• Valid Driver's License
• Personal Vehicle
• Criminal background check

Minimum Age Requirement: At least 18 years of age.

Physical Demands: These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an intern to successfully perform the essential functions within this position.

• .At Butterfly Pavilion, the team member is occasionally exposed to moderate to loud environmental noise for extended periods of time. While performing the responsibilities of this position, the team member is required to talk and hear. The team member is often required to sit and stand, use their hands and fingers, to handle/feel/grasp. The team member is occasionally required to reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The team member should be able to lift, carry and items up to 50 lbs.
• Able to work in small spaces or awkward positions that require bending or stretching
• Able to tolerate strong odors such as dust, animal fecal matter, etc.
• Able to work outdoors in all environments for extended periods of time
• This position will require you to walk long distances on uneven ground in the field to collect invertebrates. This position will require the use of a GPS and written data collection.
   

Sustainable Impacts: The EES Entomology Intern will gain valuable hands-on experience and training that can help them gauge their interest or advance their career in the field of invertebrate and pollinator conservation, environmental and ecological work and working at an AZA facility. Butterfly Pavilion provides this internship as an opportunity to provide fresh perspectives and new ways of thinking about invertebrate conservation.

• Intern will acquire experience in an AZA-accredited facility
• Intern will complete a self-directed research project under the leadership of intern supervisor
• Internship can create new pathways into invertebrate environmental and ecological work, and research and conservation.

Evaluation:

• The EES Entomology Intern will meet with their supervisor every week to discuss progress on duties and their project and any challenges they are facing.
• At the midpoint of the internship, the intern and supervisor will meet to conduct a formal review at which point the supervisor will provide feedback on the intern's performance and offer suggestions for improvement.
• At the end of the internship, the intern and supervisor will meet to conduct a final review of the intern's performance and discuss their experiences.

Application Deadline:

• August 12th, 2024

How to Apply:

Butterfly Pavilion encourages people of all backgrounds to apply for open positions and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or veteran status.

Fill out the form to the right and click "Apply for this Position" to start the application process. Must submit a cover letter and resume.