Education Internship 2027

Nashville Zoo; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 17,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hourly wage

Living stipend

Housing provided

AZA accreditation

Professional development

Job summary

Nashville Zoo Education Internship is a Spring 2027 program designed to provide hands-on experience in interpretation, developing and leading education programs, and expanding knowledge across conservation, wildlife biology, botany, history and park management.

Interns assist with on-ground, on-site, and virtual education activities, align programs to standards, and complete a project reflecting their interests to benefit their department.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Ability to stand for long periods and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Interest in working with animals and understanding animal behavior.
• Entry level position for gaining experience in this field.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Willingness to learn about Nashville Zoo amenities, layout, operations and conservation efforts.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to work outdoors in all seasons and weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Assist in development, facilitation and evaluation of education programs and interpretive experiences for a wide range of audiences on grounds, off grounds and virtually
• Interpreting for a variety of species throughout the zoo and at the Grassmere historic home and farm
• Creating programs aligned with Nashville Zoo’s Program Content Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and Common Core Standards in Science, Math, Reading and Language Arts
• Developing program evaluations that assesses participant learning as well as informs program development
• Learning to make positive contributions to enhance the guest experience at Nashville Zoo
• Complete one project highlighting intern’s interest and take aways from the experience and benefitting intern’s department

Job description

NASHVILLE ZOO PAID INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
EDUCATION INTERNSHIP | Spring 2027 | 1/18/2027- 4/16/2027

OVERVIEW: As an Education Intern at Nashville Zoo, you will have the opportunity to gain experience in interpretation, developing and leading education programs, and developing your knowledge on a variety of topics including conservation, wildlife biology, botany, history and park management.

Education interns will assist with all aspects of the Nashville Zoo Education Department. These duties include interpretation on grounds, onsite education programs, animal outreach programs, historic site management, and volunteer/teen program evaluations. Education interns will become familiar with conservation education best practices and demonstrate the effectiveness of its programs for achieving mission-based outcomes.

TIME COMMITMENT: This is a full-time position, 30-40 hours a week, for ~12 weeks. There are no opportunities to work overtime. Start Date is 1/18/2027. End Date is 4/16/2027.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assisting in development, facilitation and evaluation of education programs and interpretive experiences for a wide range of audiences on grounds, off grounds and virtually
• Interpreting for a variety of species throughout the zoo and at the Grassmere historic home and farm
• Creating programs aligned with Nashville Zoo’s Program Content Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and Common Core Standards in Science, Math, Reading and Language Arts
• Developing program evaluations that assesses participant learning as well as informs program development
• Learning to make positive contributions to enhance the guest experience at Nashville Zoo
• Complete one project highlighting intern’s interest and take aways from the experience and benefitting intern’s department

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

• Must be at least 18 years of age and current
• Must have the ability to stand on feet for long periods and lift moderately heavy loads
• Interest in working with animals and understanding animal behavior
• This is an entry level position for those looking to gain experience in this field
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Willingness to learn about Nashville Zoo amenities, layout, operations, animal collection and conservation efforts
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to work outdoors in all seasons and weather conditions.

INTERN TRAINING

All interns will be present for New Hire Orientation, Animal Care Orientation, Education Orientation, and a 4 presentation professional development series throughout the course of their internship.

BENEFITS

• Hourly rate of $12.50 per hour for up to 40 hours per week
• $700 living stipend for each 12-week term
• Housing provided if outside of a 40 mile radius of Nashville Zoo
• Provides opportunities to learn proper management of animals in human care
• Observe and participate in husbandry, training, and additional care for our resident animals
• Receive first-hand experience in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institution
• Professional development series highlighting topics such as guest engagement, resume building, etc.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Submit to a criminal background check and drug screening.
• Provide proof of a negative TB test.
• Provide proof of a valid driver’s license.

Pay Range

$12.50 - $12.50 USD

As set forth in Nashville Zoo’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.