Virginia Living Museum
Internships
College students interested in gaining knowledge in the fields of Biology, Marine Biology, Veterinary Medicine or Development are invited to inquire about internships at the VLM. We offer unpaid internships, providing the opportunity for hands on experience within our Aquarium Care Herpetology or Development areas. Students will gain practical experience for entering the job market. See details about internships below. For more information, email the Volunteer Department or contact our Volunteer Office at 757-595-1900 ext 262. For information about paid employment opportunities, click here.
Internships
Aquarist Internship
The Virginia Living Museum takes applications for Internship sessions on a rolling deadline. Spring Internships begin January/February, Summer Internships begin May/June and Fall Internships begin August/September each year. This Internship posting is in the aquarium section within the Museum’s Curatorial Department.
Duration: These internships are non-compensatory and are for at least 9-10 weeks/2 to 3 days a week; may include some weekends and holidays.
Duties: Assist in aquatic exhibits husbandry and maintenance, food preparation, feeding, cleaning of aquariums, specimen collection and quarantine, water quality monitoring, systems repair and enrichment.
Qualifications:
- Current student or previous college level work in biology, marine science or related fields.
- Candidates should have a strong career interest in the marine biology field.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Willing to get dirty and/or wet.
- At least 18 years of age.
- It is necessary that you report on time when scheduled. If you are not able to attend, it is required that you inform Volunteer Services so that a substitute can be found.
Training:
- New Volunteer Orientation
- On-the-job training with aquarium care staff.
Supervisors:
- Reports directly to the Aquariums staff.
- Also reports to Volunteer
Services staff.
Please submit a volunteer application to the Volunteer Services Office. Be sure to specify “Aquarist Internship” on top of application.
Herpetology Internship
The Virginia Living Museum takes applications for Internship sessions on a rolling deadline. Spring Internships begin January/February, Summer Internships begin May/June and Fall Internships begin August/September each year. This internship posting is for the reptile and amphibian section within the Museum's Curatorial Department.
Duration: These internships are non-compensatory and are for at least 10 weeks, 1 to 3 days a week. Includes some weekends and holidays.
Duties: Prepare and distribute food for the amphibians and reptiles. Clean animals' enclosures. Assist staff in performing various medical procedures (to include the handling of animals). Assist with specimen collection and quarantine. Participate in habitat construction, animal enrichment and data entry. Observe animal behavior.
Qualifications: Current student or previous college-level work in biology, zoology or related fields. Candidates should have a strong interest in snakes, lizards, turtles and various amphibians. Previous experience with reptiles, amphibians, hand tools or veterinary science is a plus. Be punctual and dependable. At least 18 years of age. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Willing to work in old clothes and to get dirty at times.
Please submit a volunteer application to the Volunteer Services office. Be sure to specify "Herpetology Internship" on top of application.
Development Internship
Purpose: To provide support for the Museum’s Development Office, for a variety of membership and special event tasks.
Duration: These internships are non-compensatory and are for at least 10 weeks, 1 to 3 days a week. There is the ability to intern for two semesters.
Duties:
- Writing basic Museum solicitations to donors
- Creating Excel spreadsheet lists of potential corporate and individual donors
- Soliciting (by phone) contact names from potential corporate donors
- Researching potential sponsors via web and phone book
- Inputting new member and sponsor information as well as updating current information into Development Database (Raiser's Edge)
- Labeling and collating Museum member packets
- Survey response tallying
- Miscellaneous office tasks (copy, addressing envelopes, stuffing envelopes)
Qualifications:
-
Punctuality & dependability - if you are not able to attend when scheduled, it is required that you inform Volunteer Services of your absence.
-
Enrolled in college; Communications and Marketing majors preferred.
-
Ability to Intern for two semesters.
-
Computer skills: Intermediate knowledge Microsoft Office programs; Raiser’s Edge experience a plus. Ability to learn new software programs.
-
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Training:
- New Volunteer Orientation
- On-the-job training with Development staff.
Supervisors:
- Directly supervised by Assistant Development Director and Development staff.
- Also reports to Volunteer Services staff.
Please submit a volunteer application and two writing samples to the Volunteer Services office. Be sure to specify "Development Internship" on top of application.
Veterinary Internship
Purpose: To provide assistance to the museum's Veterinary division within the Curatorial Department. It is intended for students who plan to pursue a veterinary career. This is an unpaid position that requires a minimum of 60 previous hours as an Animal Care Assistant at the Virginia Living Museum.
Duties:
-
Duties will include (not limited to) assistance with veterinary records, documentation, filing and other administrative work.
-
Clinic upkeep.
-
Assist with various veterinary procedures when needed.
-
Handle certain animals when necessary and appropriate. Must follow the Virginia Living Museum’s animal handling guidelines.
-
Advise supervisor of any problems or concerns with the animals.
Qualifications:
-
Must have worked as an Animal Care Assistant for 60 hours and shown consistent commitment and responsibility to be considered.
-
Must commit to work at least one 4 hour shift a week for 6 months. Availability for other shifts as needed and arranged for medical procedures or animal emergencies.
-
At least 18 years of age.
-
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
-
Strong interest in wildlife or natural history.
-
Previous animal handling experience desired, with wild animal experience preferred.
-
Willing to work in old clothes that may get soiled at times.
-
Desired qualification, but not required: pre-exposure rabies shots.
-
It is necessary that you report on time when scheduled. If you are not able to attend, it is required that you give Volunteer Services a 24 hour notice.
Training:
-
New Volunteer Orientation.
-
Animal Care Assistant training.
-
Veterinary Assistant Training.
Supervisor:
Reports directly to the Veterinary Technician.
Also reports to Volunteer Services Staff.
Submit the attached application. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing.
Volunteer Services Internship
Unpaid Internship, up to 15 hours weekly
General Statement of Duties
Under supervision of the Volunteer Services Director, the Volunteer Services Intern will assist with the on-site management of Volunteers. Assists in the oversight of volunteers while they are on duty and ensures that policies and dress code are followed. The Intern may also be called upon to assist with the recruitment, screening, placement, recognition, evaluation and retention of volunteers in the program.
Reports To: Volunteer Services Director, and the Volunteer Supervisor in the absence of the Director
Qualifications
- This position is open to students currently enrolled in an academic program of study through a College or University.
- Preferred coursework in Organizational Psychology, Psychology, Management, Communications or other related field.
- Must be available for both semesters: Fall 2011 and Spring 2012. Must also have the ability to work some hours during breaks and Holidays. (Museum closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Day). Some evenings and weekends required.
- Organizational ability, enthusiastic, friendly personality.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to multi-task and adapt to fast-paced environment with multiple volunteer schedule changes.
- Desire to gain experience in supervising & coordinating volunteer activities.
- Computer skills: Microsoft Word and other Windows programs. Familiarity with VolunteerWorks a plus.
- Ability to interact positively within a variety of social, economic levels wherein volunteers may be recruited.
- Ability to work with a minimum of supervision; excellent attention to detail, yet flexible.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Ensure compliance with volunteer position descriptions and policies.
- Monitor volunteer performance, especially with regard to schedule and duties, reporting and assisting with disciplinary actions when necessary, and as directed.
- Supervise volunteers working as interpreters; maintain communication with volunteers working in other areas.
- Ensure that open volunteer spots are filled in a timely manner.
- Assist as needed in screening applicants, determining suitability for program as well as best placement in conjunction with the Volunteer Coordinator.
- Assist in orienting new volunteers into Museum routine; monitor attendance.
- Attend departmental staff meetings.
- Launder smocks and towels 2 – 3 times weekly.
- Interpret the Touch Tank as directed (training provided).
- Perform other duties as may be assigned.
Application Instructions
Submit cover letter and resume to:
Ms. Shandran Thornburgh, Volunteer Services Director
524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd,
Newport News, VA 23601
Email or fax: 757-599-4897.
No walk-ins. Deadline: April 10, 2012 for summer 2012 internship.
|
Volunteer Application
Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing
To volunteer, please download and fill out our application:
Junior applicants need to fill out the above application as well as:
Please fill out the above forms and mail them to:
Volunteer Coordinator
Virginia Living Museum
524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd
Newport News VA 23601
Please call 757-595-1900 ext. 262 for more information about volunteering, or email the Volunteer Department.
You must have Adobe® Acrobat® Reader installed on your system in order to use the printable volunteer application. If you do not have it, go to Adobe's Acrobat Reader download site by clicking here.
|