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Summer Intern: Coservation Community Engagment

Utah's Hogle Zoo
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Organization: Utah’s Hogle Zoo (AZA-accredited institution) 
Internship: Conservation Internship II (Community Engagement)

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Utah’s Hogle Zoo is currently accepting applications for one part-time Community Engagement intern based in the Conservation Department.

 

 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Community Engagement Intern will assist with the Zoo’s research and conservation programs that involve community and volunteer engagement. This internship focuses on the Zoo’s Jordan River Program, which includes wildlife monitoring along the river corridor and community-based restoration activities, such as trash clean-ups, invasive species removal, and tree planting. Conservation interns will regularly engage with Zoo guests and volunteers. They will help increase awareness about the Zoo’s conservation programs and impact, participate in and support conservation events and communications sponsored by the Zoo and its partners, and assist with other activities as needed. Because conservation is an interdisciplinary field, this internship aims to expose interns to both the ecological and social aspects of conservation. 

 

REPORTS TO: Director of Conservation

 

SCHEDULE

  • May 27–August 23 (start and end dates can be flexible, depending on academic and Zoo schedules)
  • 15–20 hours/week, including some weekends, holidays, evenings, and multi-day overnight trips

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing this internship, interns should be able to:

  • Explain how modern zoos support wildlife conservation and are working to reduce threats to wildlife 
  • Describe the principles and benefits of community engagement in conservation
  • Effectively communicate key challenges related to restoration of the Jordan River and its watershed
  • Plan and execute community conservation events, including promotion and communications 
  • Develop engaging social media content for community conservation activities and programs
  • Understand the basic steps of evaluating community engagement in conservation events 
  • Demonstrate competency in practical field-based skills and safety protocols for outdoor fieldwork
  • Effectively use wildlife-monitoring equipment, specifically trail cameras
  • Download and analyze trail-camera data and use the Wildlife Insights platform
  • Identify common mammals, birds, and plants in the Salt Lake Valley
  • Demonstrate adept and empathetic leadership of community volunteers in field settings
  • Understand the value of interdisciplinary conservation initiatives, as applied to habitat restoration and community-based initiatives
  • Navigate the complexities of multi-stakeholder conservation projects

 

INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS

  • Final project: Design and conduct a final project. Subject to approval by the Conservation Department, interns may choose their own project topics, which should align with their interests and learning goals
  • Presentation: Give a 10- to 15-minute PowerPoint presentation that summarizes the final project 
  • Journal: Keep a weekly journal to be shared with their supervisors in the Conservation Department

 

EXPECTED DUTIES*

  • Help plan, organize, and conduct community-based activities for the Jordan River Program
  • Assist with training and managing community volunteers in the field
  • Track volunteer attendance and level of participation in community-based activities 
  • Help collect survey data using online, phone, or in-person methods
  • Manage and code survey data
  • Monitor mammals, birds, and other wildlife using trail cameras 
  • Sort, identify, and analyze data from trail cameras 
  • Develop and write social media content related to program activities
  • Interact with partner organizations (e.g., Jordan River Commission and other NGOs)
  • Communicate conservation messages to Zoo guests and volunteers and help increase awareness of the 
    Zoo’s conservation and sustainability programs and impact 
  • As needed, participate in public awareness events or off-site volunteering opportunities related to 
    conservation and sustainability 
  • As needed, collaborate with the Zoo’s Events Team to plan and conduct conservation-themed events 

 

*Duties are subject to change at the discretion of the Conservation Department, to align with any shift in Zoo priorities and needs.

 

QUALIFICATIONS 

Applicants must be:

  • Currently enrolled in a relevant undergraduate program with junior or senior standing or a relevant graduate program, OR be a recent graduate of an undergraduate program
  • In good academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA)
  • Organized, with good time-management skills, and able to work independently
  • Able to stand or walk for extended periods (3+ hours) and safely lift 40 lbs.
  • Able to drive an AWD truck on uneven terrain (valid driver’s license is required)
  • Able to swim without the assistance of other people or inflatables/floats
  • Experience paddling canoes or kayaks (preferred, but not required)
  • Eligible to work in the United States
  • TB-negative (proof of a negative TB test is required) 
  • Able to pass a drug test and background check

 

COMPENSATION

This intern position is unpaid. Professional development opportunities will be provided. College credit may be available for eligible students through their college/university. No housing is provided. Interns receive a 50% discount on food and beverage at the Zoo and a 30% discount in the gift shop. For all Zoo-led field activities, transportation, food, and camping gear will be provided.

 

Scholarship Award: Interns participating in an unpaid internship at Utah’s Hogle Zoo will have the opportunity to apply for the Hugh H. Hogle, MD Internship Award. This award provides one      scholarship annually to a Utah's Hogle Zoo summer intern; as funds are available.

 

 

TO APPLY: Applications are due by February 15, 2025. 

 

Please visit https://www.hoglezoo.org/internship-opportunities/  to fill out an application.  Attach a resume, cover letter, and informal transcript to application or send to volunteeroffice@hoglezoo.org.  Incomplete application packets will not be considered.

 

Applicants will be contacted for interviews at the end of February, please do not expect to hear from us before then.

 

Please e-mail volunteeroffice@hoglezoo.org with any questions.

 

Utah’s Hogle Zoo is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive internship program representative of a variety of backgrounds, age groups, perspectives, experiences, abilities, and strengths.