Butterfly House Intern

Position type: Seasonal employment, early June-late September internship. Non-Exempt under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Description: Norfolk Botanical Garden is looking for a qualified intern to join our Adult Education team! Our Adult Education department provides quality educational programs for our guests, and seeks an intern who can assist with our Butterfly House activities and interpretation.

This intern should be prepared to work in a customer service-based environment, and will finish the internship having gained broad experience in various aspects of biological sciences, education, horticulture, communications, tourism and related fields.

Essential Functions:

• Greet the guests entering the house and lead tours educating the public on the lifecycle of butterflies.
• Collect and preserve butterfly eggs for study, preservation and fostering.
• Direct the visitors to the appropriate resource for questions you cannot answer utilizing a radio.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Physical Functions:

• Must be comfortable speaking to individuals and groups.
• Able to work outside and stand for the entire shift in high heat, humidity and light rain.
• Able to walk to and from the Butterfly House to the parking lot; approximately ¼ of a mile.
• Frequent bending, stooping, reaching and lifting up to 25 pounds required.

Qualifications:

• Interests in horticulture, entomology, biology, or a related field is preferred.
• Customer service experience is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills is a plus.

Program Goals:

At the end of the internship, the Intern will understand and develop skillsets with regard to:

• Customer service and public speaking
• The development and verbal/visual delivery of educational programs.
• The structure and functionality of a special event within the educational outreach and tourism industry.
• The collection, preservation and study of Virginia’s native butterfly and moth populations.
• The relationship between native plants and wildlife, and the importance of conservation of these species.

Hours: Flexible, up to 30 hours/week

Shift: Flexible, but afternoons and evenings preferred

Internship Duration: Flexible, early June-early October highly preferred

Reports to: Senior Director of Adult Education & Conservation

Benefits:

• Staff discounts on programming & gift shop.
• NBG logo wear for work provided.
• EAP services for all employees.

Equal Employer Opportunity (EEO) statement: NBG is committed to the principles and ideals of equal employment opportunity. It is, and shall continue to be, the policy and practice throughout NBG to foster equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for applicants, employees, and volunteers without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, marital status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, status as a veteran, or other protected status, if qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Pay: $15.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Free parking

Work Location: In person