Education Department Internship
Hands-on marine science outreach education at a public nature center located in Florida
Position Description:
The Education Department at Florida Oceanographic Society (FOS) is currently accepting applications
for a college- level internship program during the spring and summer of 2020. The Education Intern
will work as part of FOS’s Education team to carry out daily educational programming for visitors
to the FOS Coastal Center. This position involves considerable public speaking. The Education
Intern will conduct formal educational presentations in front of large audiences, as well as
informal educational lessons at our invertebrate touch tank, sea turtle pavilion, gamefish lagoon
aquarium, butterfly garden, and inside of our exhibit hall. Additionally, the Education Intern may
occasionally help lead field trips, group visits, outreach education, summer camp sessions,
seining, snorkeling, and sea turtle walks. This unpaid internship requires a minimum commitment of
at least two months and 24 hours per week, including some weekend shifts. Exceptional candidates
may qualify for a small stipend to assist with living expenses. We are happy to work with the
successful applicant to structure an internship program that will satisfy specific university
requirements, if necessary.
Florida Oceanographic Society is an environmentally focused nonprofit organization founded in 1964.
Our mission is to inspire environmental stewardship of Florida’s coastal ecosystems through
education, research, and advocacy. We operate the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, a 57-acre
educational nature center located on South Hutchinson Island in Stuart, Florida. The Coastal
Center provides an interactive educational experience for guests of all ages, and includes a 10,000
gallon stingray touch tank, a marine invertebrate touch tank, a mile-long nature trail, and a
750,000 gallon outdoor gamefish aquarium that is home to hundreds of native marine fishes and four
permanently disabled non- releasable sea turtles. More than 60,000 guests visited the Coastal
Center last year, including 4,000 students on educational field trips. Our Education and Research
departments are perfectly integrated to create hands-on environmental learning experiences for
children and adults. We also run a wide variety of outreach programs, including nighttime sea
turtle nesting walks, morning beach walks, youth fishing clinics, marine science summer camps,
habitat restoration projects, school outreach visits, and a community lecture series. Visit
www.floridaocean.org for more information.
Position Responsibilities:
1. Lead daily public educational programs in front of audiences of up to 100+ guests
2. Lead informal educational programs around the Coastal Center
3. Supervise guest-animal interactions at the ray and invertebrate touch tanks
4. Teach educational field trip lessons
5. Assist with guided group visits for children and adults
6. Assist with seining activities in the Indian River Lagoon and other local bodies of water
7. Assist with marine science summer camp sessions under supervision of Camp Director
8. Assist with educational outreach programs throughout the community
9. Create, plan, promote, implement, update, and evaluate education programming, signage, and
exhibits
10. Occasionally assist with educational nighttime sea turtle nesting walks
11. Assist with all Education Department special events and activities
12. Maintain a professional relationship with guests, staff, and volunteers
Qualifications:
1. Bachelor’s Degree in progress (or completed within the last 12 months) in biology, marine
biology, ecology, conservation, environmental science, or science education
2. Minimum of 4 months of science teaching experience in a formal (classroom) or informal (zoo,
aquarium, nature center) setting preferred
3. Exceptionally strong and dynamic public speaker
4. Comfortable teaching adults and children of all ages
5. Comfortable interacting with the public on a daily basis
6. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
7. Previous experience working with children
8. Able to work outdoors in Florida’s unpredictable weather, stand for up to 3 hours, and lift
50 pounds
9. Strong customer service skills and a professional attitude
10. Ability to work weekends and occasional evenings
11. Self-motivated, able to work independently or as part of a team
12. Charismatic, enthusiastic, energetic, upbeat, and pleasant personality
13. Hard working, dedicated, prompt and timely
14. Interest in building a career in the natural sciences or science education
15. Ability to carefully follow instructions, make decisions, and react effectively under pressure
16. Strong desire for personal growth and increased knowledge
17. Strong computer skills, including an advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office
18. Artistic or graphic design background and a working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft
Publisher desirable
Department Supervisor:
Director of Education and Exhibits
To Apply:
Please send a detailed letter of interest, resume/CV, and contact information for three
professional or academic references to Dr. Zack Jud, Director of Education and Exhibits at
[email protected]
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