Environmental Education Intern

NOTE: This is for a paid internship position. Aark strives to ensure that interns receive a rewarding experience full of learning opportunities. In addition to operating as a camp counselor, interns will have the opportunity to take part in programs/workshops, care for ambassador animals and invertebrate collection, and organize lesson plans with the Director of Education.

I. POSITION SUMMARY:

The Internship will be approved and monitored by the Director of Education; Aark Wildlife is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to the care and treatment of injured/orphaned Pennsylvania and Migratory Wildlife. An Aark Wildlife Environmental Education Intern will gain experience working with groups of students in a multitude of subject matters such as biology, wildlife conservation, botany, entomology, ecology, herpetology, and mammalogy just to name a few. Interns will work hands-on with students of all ages both inside the education center and out on the 10-acer property. Interns will work under the supervision of the Director of Education. Internship covers nine sessions of camp and additional programs that may occur over the duration of the internship. Intern is not expected to work all 9 weeks of camp, unless they request otherwise.  Interns must be present for their assigned camp weeks they are scheduled for. During the time between your assigned camp weeks, interns will have the opportunity to care for Education Center ambassador animals and invertebrate collection, help with workshops and programs, and organize lesson plans with the Director of Education. Interns may also be asked to help create social medial content and center displays. Interns may also be asked to preform record entry into computer systems.

II.  EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

·       Must be 18 years of age or older

·       Must be enrolled in undergraduate program

·       Experience working with children preferred, but all levels of experience are welcomed

·       Background in biology, environmental science, wildlife conservation preferred

·       Basic understanding of our organization and mission. Familiar with the clinic. 

·       Ability to work well with people and children

·       Must be proficient on the computer

·       Ability to be a self-motivated worker and finding tasks that need to be completed

·       Excellent interpersonal, communication and documentation skills

·       Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment

·       Ability to communicate with other Aark staff and the Director of Education

III. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

·       Aid the Director of Education in summer camps and other outreach programs.

·       Operate as a counselor and secondary instructor during all summer camp sessions

·       Care for ambassador animals in the center with direction from the Director of Education

·       General cleaning such as sweeping, mopping, and sanitizing

·       Organizing programs supplies and preparing materials

·       Interacting in a positive and friendly manner to the public and students

·       Perform all other duties as assigned

IV. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to be on your feet for the duration of the shift. This work requires the following physical activities, reaching, sitting, lifting, grasping, repetitive motions, talking, hearing and visual acuity. The work is performed both indoors and outdoors in close proximity to animals.

V. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

All interns must submit all necessary documentation before starting their internship. Interns will work 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM during the sessions of camp they are assigned to. During the off weeks between their assigned camp sessions, interns will be scheduled as needed to help with a multitude of things, including animal care, outreach programs, social media content, and office work.

VI. CLEARANCES:

All interns are required to complete state mandatory clearances in order to work in the Education Center. The Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) requires a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, a Pennsylvania State Background Check, and an FBI Criminal History Background Check.

Please visit http://www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov/resources/clearances/index.htm to complete these clearances. Interns operate as volunteers. The Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, and Pennsylvania State Background Check are both completed online, free of charge. Interns are not permitted to start until all clearances have been completed and delivered to the Director of Education. If assistance is needed, please contact the Director of Education for help getting clearances completed.

VII.  DRESS CODE:

All interns are required to wear closed-toed shoes (sneakers or boots). Long pants or shorts of acceptable length are permitted. Interns can choose to purchase an Aark T-shirt or wear a clean t-shirt with no obscene images or language. All long hair must be tied back. Hanging jewelry is not permitted due to safety reasons. Strong scents from perfumes and lotions are also not permitted due to the sensitivity of some of the animals.

VIII. ATTENDANCE:

You are required to be present during your assigned weeks of camp. In the event you are sick or need to call out for personal matters, you must call the Director of Education. No shows or repeated call outs will not be tolerated and will be tracked. We will terminate an individual’s internship based on attendance. 

IX. HOUSING

We do not provide housing at our facility. If you are planning to relocate for the duration of your internship, you must find housing and plan ahead.

X. PHOTOGRAPHS:

All photographs taken on site at Aark must be approved by the Director of Education before it can be posted on any type of social media. We encourage taking appropriate photos of animals when time and situations permit, but our protocol is strict regarding how those images are used. Photos of campers and students are not permitted. Social media platforms are monitored and if not in compliance with the “Aark Wildlife Photo Release Guidelines”, we will request a post to be removed. Internships may be terminated if not in compliance.

XI. HOURS FOR CREDIT:

All interns are required to sign-in and out of their shifts. The hours documented will be the hours that are submitted to the intern’s college or university. Failure to clock-in and out will result in fewer hours submitted to the college or university. Interns can also not ask for more hours to be submitted to the college or university than what has been completed up to that date. The number of hours an intern plans on completing during their internship must be noted on the internship application.

XII. EARLY TERMINATION FROM INTERNSHIP:

We reserve the right to terminate an internship based on attendance and performance. While this is not a decision we make lightly, we are a busy, fast-paced rehabilitation clinic that heavily relies on volunteers and interns. We need dedicated interns that will be punctual and professional.

XIII. INTERNSHIP APPROVAL AND DOCUMENTATION:

 All internship requests and documentation must be submitted to the Director of Education. Once all mandatory material is received, internship requests will be approved.

XIV. CAMP SESSION DATES

·        06/16/25 to 06/20/25 - Avian Exploration Camp - Ages 12 to 14

·        06/23/25 to 06/27/25 – Avian Exploration Camp - Ages 8 to 11

·        07/07/25 to 07/11/25 – Wildlife Camp - Ages 8 to 11

·        07/14/25 to 07/18/25 – Animal Caretaker Camp - Ages 8 to 11

·        07/21/25 to 07/25/25 – Young naturalist Camp - Ages 12 to 14

·        07/28/25 to 08/01/25 – Herpetology Discovery Camp - Ages 12-14

·        08/04/25 to 08/08/25 - Herpetology Discovery Camp - Ages 8-11

·        08/11/25 to 08/15/25 – Wildlife Camp - Ages 5 to 7

·        08/18/25 to 08/22/25 – Animal Caretaker Camp - Ages 5 to 7