Job Opportunity – Wildlife Summer Intern

Title:   Wildlife Summer Intern
Division:   Wildlife
Classification:   Seasonal, hourly
Directly supported by:   Executive Director
Directly supports:  Curator of Wildlife, Senior Wildlife Specialist
Salary Range:   $20.00 per hour

About us

Since opening in 1982, HIGH DESERT MUSEUM has brought together wildlife, cultures, history, art and natural history to promote an understanding of North America’s High Desert country. We do so through indoor and outdoor exhibits, wildlife in natural habitats, living history demonstrations and dynamic programs on a beautiful, 135-acre campus in the pine forest. The Museum is a nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was awarded the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Services. During the 2018-19 fiscal year, 195,000 visitors enjoyed the Museum.

The Museum is located in Bend, Oregon, a fast-growing, charismatic city nestled against the Cascade Range at the edge of the High Desert. We strive to be inclusive, culturally humble, relevant, curious, and mindful. As a team, we work together to wildly excite and responsibly teach, creating connection to and dialogue about the High Desert.

About this job and what you’ll do

We are seeking a qualified person interested in a career working with wildlife to support the Wildlife Team in caring for a diverse collection of animals and delivering seasonal summer programs to museum audiences. Wildlife Interns gain hands-on experience with the biology, husbandry, and handling of animals in human care while simultaneously learning to deliver engaging and effective interpretive programs with an emphasis on wildlife conservation. Interns may work with Museum staff and college/university advisors to ensure their experience meets requirements for any applicable college coursework, if necessary.

About who you are

You have one year or more of college coursework in a biological science and/or 6 months of practical experience in animal care, OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities. You possess an enthusiasm for learning about and staying current on all aspects of wildlife and human relationships with the landscape of the High Desert region.  Not only do have a strong interest in zoo, museum, biology, veterinary or other areas working with wildlife, but you have an enthusiasm and strong presentation skills for interpreting wildlife biology, natural history, and conservation.

Want to learn more?

For a detailed job description listing the essential functions of this position and the education, experience, and skills requirements, click here.

Importantly, we recognize and honor that the qualifications required to excel in this position can come from a range of both professional and lived experiences. In the job description we describe what we believe to be important qualifications for a candidate to have while remaining open to the diversity of experiences that can lead to these skill sets. Position descriptions are often presented in a way that leaves qualified candidates feeling unwelcome, intimidated, uncomfortable and/or unqualified to apply. Recognizing that, we strongly encourage anyone who feels passionate about this work and believes they have what it takes to thrive in this role to apply.

Want to apply?

Please send a resume & cover letter to: jobs@highdesertmuseum.org

The Museum provides an equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/transgender status, age, disability, veteran or marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Mission

The High Desert Museum wildly excites and responsibly teaches through innovative, interdisciplinary experiences, creating connection to and dialogue about the High Desert.