Guest Programs Internship
Exercise your talent in a unique public setting. The Minnesota Zoo is seeking creative communicators and artists with a passion for the natural world. With the return of Dinosaurs! and Africa!, coupled with other award-winning exhibits, the Zoo is expecting over 400,000 guests this summer alone. We need talented individuals to create and deliver magical moments for all.
Internship Opportunities:
May-August (with opportunities to continue thereafter)
20-40 hours/week
College credit required
Unpaid
Duties to include:
- Work with Education and Guest Services Staff to create and deliver brief performances (1-4 minutes) that can take place in multiple locations, especially where guests gather. Performances may use humor, props or puppets, dance, and even costumes in order to delight guests of all ages, offer them opportunities to learn about animals, and encourage then to visit specific areas and activities throughout their visit.
- Work with Volunteer Coordinators, Guest Services and Education Staff to develop several short (under 7 minutes) story times that can be delivered in the “Bee Hive” play area. The outcome is to enhance Members Mondays (part of the Membership Retention Strategy) as well as conduct small workshops for your concept on how to deliver the stories. Perform story times in other zoo areas to determine the feasibility of expanding the location scope.
- Develop and deliver a routine that adds humor and movement to the extremely important first impression of the Zoo – that of “traffic director” in the parking areas on busy days. Conduct small workshop , to enable year-round staff to continue delivering your concept.
- Work with Guest Services staff, and Volunteers to create a written “Can’t Miss It” guide for each trail of the Zoo. This guide will offer key interpretive points that anyone can share with guests about favorite trail animals and plants. Beyond just an interesting list of facts, this guide will provide simple dialogue prompts for how to engage guests and offer pointers for interacting with guests of all ages. It will be based on the intern’s own experiences walking the trails and engaging guests in conversation.
- Work with the Interpretive Programs Coordinator to develop a paleontologist costumed character that will entertain and enlighten guests at the Dinosaurs! entry area and along the exhibit pathway. Interns will be responsible for writing scripts and delivering this performance.
Guest Programs Interns are:
- Outgoing, enthusiastic and energetic with an ability to engage diverse guests throughout the day.
- Comfortable with public speaking and being “on stage.”
- Flexible; able to achieve goals working as an individual or in a group setting.
- Experienced or have a background or interest in education, music, dance, theater, or storytelling.
- Comfortable working outdoors or indoors in various weather conditions, possibly in costume.
- Critical thinkers which is required to identify audiences and alter content delivery mechanism accordingly.
- Able to maintain a level of fun, sometimes under trying circumstances, and are able to laugh with guests.
- Comfortable standing or walking for up to three hours at a time.
Internship applicants must be able to work outdoors under a variety of conditions. We’re looking for energetic, enthusiastic, reliable interns who work well with people (variety of ages) and are both interested and able to locate and help identify native wildlife species. Ability to use digital SLR cameras and GPS units is preferred but not required. Good computer and writing skills are also preferred.
For more information, please contact:
Internship Coordinator, Human Resources
13000 Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley, MN 55124
E-mail: Human.resources.mnzoo@state.mn.us
Fax: 952.431.9211
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