Education Internship

The Education Internship offers a unique opportunity for individuals interested in learning about community-based conservation, environmental education, and participatory engagement strategies. This internship provides hands-on experience in supporting international conservation teams through the development of educational activities, logistical coordination, and collaborative planning.

Questions about this internship should be sent to Ana Griffin: griffinac@si.edu

Learning Objectives

This is an unpaid internship opportunity wherein the intern will support the Center for Conservation and Sustainability.

Through this internship, interns will: 

  • Strengthen and learn skills in community-based conservation by supporting the design of educational activities that promote community engagement in environmental projects.
  • Apply behavioral change and community engagement frameworks in real-world conservation education contexts.
  • Enhance and learn collaborative planning and facilitation skills through active participation in technical meetings with education and conservation teams.
  • Learn skills in updating and redesigning educational tools, integrating methodologies and cultural perspectives.
  • Gain proficiency in using digital collaboration to co-create planning materials and activity designs.
  • Build and learn experience in designing and coordinating participatory youth engagement events (campamento).
  • Strengthen and learn analytical skills by identifying and addressing social and cultural barriers to community participation in conservation initiatives.
  • Develop organizational and administrative skills by supporting trip logistics, maintaining shared digital folders (e.g., Google Drive), and assisting with scheduling and documentation for conservation and education activities.

Qualifications

  • Applicants must be currently pursuing or have a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
  • Ability to commit to a regular schedule, 5 days a week from 9 AM-5 PM
  • Ability to work both independently and in a team environment with staff and volunteers
  • Professional and self-motivated
  • Bilingual in Spanish is preferred but not required.
  • Accepted interns must also pass a background check.

Stipend

This is an unpaid internship. College credit is offered if desired; intern is responsible for obtaining necessary approvals from their university. Intern will be responsible for all transportation costs and personal health insurance.

Location

Washington DC

Housing

The intern will make his or her own housing arrangements in the Washington, D.C., area.

Parking

The National Zoo and the Smithsonian Institution do not provide free parking to interns.

Term of appointment

Summer Session (June – August), specific dates dependent on applicant and department schedules

Application deadline(s)

Status

Open

Internship Category

Education

How to Apply

To apply, go to: https://solaa.si.edu. Select "Don't have an Account? Create An Account." Complete the information to create an account.

Information that will be requested (in SOLAA) includes:

  • Basic personal information
  • Professional resume or CV
  • A one-page statement of your interest in pursuing this position. The statement should mention relevant experience, career goals, your reasons for wanting this internship, and what you hope to gain from the experience. Your statement is very important during application evaluations
  • Schedule of availability.

Once you create your account and provide the information above, you will see a screen where you select the type of appointment you are interested in. You will select:

  • Type of appointment: “Internship”
  • Unit of interest: “National Zoological Park”
  • Program: “National Zoological Park Internship Program”
  • Project: “Center for Conservation and Sustainability”

IMPORTANT: Your application is considered complete when you hit “Submit.” Your SOLAA-submitted application with references must be received by the deadlines as noted above.