Project Prairie Internship

Toledo Zoo Education Project PRAIRIE Intern

Reports to:         School and Community Programs Coordinator                           

Schedule:            Flexible time periods and hours based on the needs of the department and the candidate but generally 20-28 hours/week for a minimum of four months.

Internship Overview:

This internship runs from mid-March through August and is designed for college students or recent graduates interested in pursuing a career in informal education, conservation, or related field. Interns will work directly with the School and Prairie Programs Specialist, School and Community Programs Coordinator, and other education staff teaching Project PRAIRIE programs. Project PRAIRIE (PP) is a conservation education program of the Toledo Zoo (TZ) that works with the TZ Conservation Department to install prairie habitat on school campuses throughout northwest Ohio. The TZ Education Department then trains teachers about the prairie habitat and how to incorporate the prairie into their lessons. Additionally, TZ educators work directly with elementary, middle and high school students in the prairie, facilitating inquiry and citizen science-based lessons. The intern will work with TZ education staff teaching PP teacher professional development events and conducting inquiry and citizen science-based lessons with students in school prairies.  The intern will conduct some working hours with the Toledo Zoo conservation team working on prairie management in the field and greenhouses. 

This internship is a paid position at $12/per hour. 

Requirements:

• Junior or Senior in college or recent graduate with a major/minor in Education, Biology, Ecology or related field;
• Strong willingness to learn, positive attitude, and team mentality
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite preferred
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Willingness to work outdoors in heat, rain, snow
• The Toledo Zoo is a drug-free workplace, including marijuana.   

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assist with Project PRAIRIE related teacher professional development events;
• Assist with PP related programming at schools and at the TZ;
• Develop PP related inquiry and citizen science based lessons;
• Assist the TZ Conservation Department in prairie installations and PP related activities;
• Assist with control of invasive species using IPM (Integrated Pest Management), which may include use of pesticides;
• Conduct inquiry and citizen science related activities on the TZ prairies;
• Organize PP related equipment and materials;

For more information:

                                Alexandra Burris

                                School and Community Programs Coordinator

                                The Toledo Zoo

                                alexandra.burris@toledozoo.org

                                 419-385-5721 ext. 2049