Careers and Internships

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center seeks a Visitor Services Lead Associate with strong customer service skills who works well in a team environment. The ideal candidate enjoys the challenge of working in a busy admissions and retail setting. Lead Associate duties include greeting visitors and providing accurate information, operating TAM Retail efficiently for purchasing, receiving, and inventory information, along with ordering merchandise consistent to Squam Lakes Natural Science Center’s mission. The Lead Associate works with a second Lead Associate to price and display merchandise, develop new products consistent with mission-related themes, and maintain a clean and orderly retail space.

The position runs from mid-March to early November, 32 hours a week with a required weekend day. This is an hourly, non-exempt position with a competitive hourly wage. It is in Holderness, New Hampshire.

To apply, send resume to Visitor Services Manager Sarah Wall at with Visitor Services Lead Associate in the subject line. Electronic applications are preferred. Applications will be accepted until position is filled. No phone calls please. Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is an equal opportunity employer and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center’s Animal Care internship is an opportunity to learn and grow while gaining experience in native wild animal husbandry at a nationally accredited nature center. The Animal Care Intern assists staff with all aspects of caring for the Science Center’s animal ambassadors. The Animal Care Intern also gains experience with interpretation by presenting Up Close to Animals programs about native New Hampshire wildlife.

Internship Experiences
• Animal observations and record keeping
• Animal handling, capture and restraint
• Proper diet preparation and distribution
• General husbandry of animal and keeper areas
• Proper Association of Zoos and Aquariums protocols, policies, and procedures
• Animal training and enrichment
• Basic avian wildlife rehabilitation
• Training in environmental education and interpretation techniques
• Opportunity to receive First Aid/CPR certification
• Present Up Close to Animals – short, live animal presentations in trailside amphitheater
• Assisting with special events, and additional duties as assigned
• Complete a final project in animal training or enrichment under the guidance of animal care staff

Requirements
• College junior/senior status or graduate student with a major in biology, zoology, natural sciences, or related field
• Enthusiasm, motivation, strong time management, and a desire to work with people and animals
• Ability to effectively communicate with staff and volunteers
• Appropriate footwear is required (e.g., work boots, hiking shoes) and outerwear is required for all weather conditions (e.g., cold, rain, wind)
• Must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time
• Available from May 25 to mid- to late-August, 2020. First three weeks are training in education/interpretation and animal handling with a Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. schedule. The remainder of the summer is a Friday-Tuesday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. schedule.

Benefits
• Stipend of $150/week
• Onsite, shared housing in rustic cottage

To Apply
Email cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to Animal Care Manager Lauren Moulis at . Cover letter should address your interest in applying for this position, your career goals, and how you anticipate this position will contribute to your professional development.

Download Animal Care Intern Description

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center’s Education Program internship is an opportunity to learn and grow while gaining experience in environmental education at a nationally accredited nature center. Education Program Interns assist with presenting live animal programs to the public and teaching nature day camps.

Internship Experiences
• Receive training in interpretation and environmental education techniques
• Learn to handle live, native animal ambassadors
• Receive First Aid/CPR training and certification
• Assist with Guided Discoveries, week-long nature day camps for children ages 4 to 12, by planning and leading hands-on experiences that help children discover and connect with New Hampshire’s natural world
• Present Up Close to Animals – short live animal programs at outdoor trailside amphitheater
• Assist with presenting live animal outreach programs presented offsite at a variety venues including campgrounds, libraries, summer camps, and environmental organizations
• Interact with visitors and provide an educational presence on the exhibit trail with a live animal or biofacts (e.g., pelts, feathers, skulls)
• Assist with special events and additional duties as assigned
• Complete one or more projects supporting Education Program goals

Qualifications

• College junior/senior status or graduate student with a major in the natural sciences, environmental education or related field
• Experience working with children in educational and/or recreational settings preferred
• Enthusiasm, motivation, and a desire to work with children, adults and animals
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Appropriate footwear is required (e.g., hiking shoes) and outerwear for all weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, rain, wind)
• Must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time
• Available from May 25 to mid- to late-August, 2020 and able to work a flexible schedule including nights and weekends. First three weeks are training in education/interpretation and animal handling with a Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. schedule. Schedule will vary the remainder of the summer.

Benefits:

• Weekly stipend $150/week
• Onsite, shared housing in a rustic intern cottage

To Apply:
Email cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to Naturalist Jeremy Phillips at .  Cover letter should address your interest in applying for this position, your career goals, and how you anticipate this position will contribute to your professional development.

Download Education Program Intern Description

The Science Center’s Guided Discoveries Internship is an opportunity to learn and grow while gaining experience in environmental education at a nationally accredited nature center. Guided Discoveries are weeklong nature day camps that provide children ages 4 to 12 with hands-on experiences that help them discover and connect with New Hampshire’s natural world. The Guided Discoveries Intern assists the Guided Discoveries Instructor with the planning, preparation, and instruction for these theme focused day camps. The Guided Discoveries Intern also gains experience handling and teaching about native New Hampshire wildlife.

Internship Experiences
• Receive training in interpretation and environmental education techniques
• Learn to handle live, native animal ambassadors
• Receive First Aid/CPR training and certification
• Co-teach eight weeks of Guided Discoveries, week-long nature day camps for children ages 4 to 12, by planning and leading hands-on experiences that help children discover and connect with New Hampshire’s natural world
• Assist with special events and additional duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• College junior/senior status or graduate student with a major in the natural sciences, early childhood education, elementary education, environmental education, or related field
• Experience working with children in educational and/or recreational settings preferred
• Enthusiasm, motivation and a desire to work with children and animals
• Ability to effectively communicate with staff and volunteers
• Appropriate footwear is required (e.g., closed toed shoes) and outerwear is required for all weather conditions (e.g., cold, rain, wind)
• Must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time
• Available from May 25-August 21, 2020 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. First three weeks are training in education/interpretation and animal handling. Remainder of internship is planning and teaching Guided Discoveries nature day camps.

Benefits:

• Stipend of $150/week
• Onsite, shared housing in rustic cottage

To Apply:
Email cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to Education Director Audrey Eisenhauer at . Cover letter should address your interest in applying for this position, your career goals, and how you anticipate this position will contribute to your professional development.

Download Guided Discoveries Intern Description

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center seeks a college student as a Marketing Intern. The Marketing Intern will gain experience working in a nationally-accredited nature center. The Marketing Intern will work with the Marketing Manager to help strategically manage the Science Center’s promotional and marketing efforts for its environmental education programs, mission to the general public, membership, and school groups.

Internship Experiences
• Video creation and editing for social media channels
• Press release, blog, and other publicity related writing
• Analysis of online pay-per-click advertising
• Photography of all aspects of the Science Center
• Surveying visitors including weekly scheduled time on the live animal exhibit trail
• Opportunity to receive First Aid/CPR certification
• Editing and proofreading materials
• Designing event flyers
• Updating calendar of event listings
• Managing press lists
• Assisting with special events

Qualifications:

• College junior or senior status
• Strong time management skills and ability to work independently
• Strong written and oral communications
• Ability to manage multiple projects on deadlines
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite products is a plus
• Available from May 25 to mid- to late-August, 2020, approximately 40 hours per week. Schedule may include occasional evening and weekend event assignments.

Benefits:

• Weekly stipend $150/week
• Onsite, shared housing in a rustic intern cottage

Email letter of interest and resume to Amanda Gillen, Marketing Manager at . Cover letter should address your interest in applying for this position, your career goals, and how you anticipate this position will contribute to your professional development.

Download Marketing Intern Description

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center’s Volunteer Program Internship is an opportunity to learn and grow while gaining experience in volunteer administration, public speaking, and live animal handling at a nationally accredited nature center. Over 300 volunteers contribute more than 9,000 hours each year supporting all aspects of Science Center operations from education to animal care to facilities to events. The Volunteer Program Intern assists the Volunteer Manager with overall support and administration of the volunteer program.

Internship Experiences
• Plan and lead volunteer training sessions
• Serve as mentor for new volunteers
• Help manage volunteer schedule and communicate with volunteers on schedule updates
• Lead group volunteer events
• Assist docents with handling live animals
• Receive training in interpretation and environmental education
• Present Up Close to Animals – short, live animal programs at outdoor trailside amphitheater
• Receive first aid/CPR training and certification

Qualifications:

• College junior/senior status with an interest in the natural sciences, human resources, nonprofit management, or volunteer administration
• Experience as a volunteer, in volunteer administration, or human resources preferred
• Enthusiasm, motivation, and a desire to work with animals and people of all ages
• Available from May 25 to mid- to late-August, 2020. First three weeks are training in education/interpretation and animal handling with a Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. schedule. The schedule the remainder of the summer will be Thursday-Monday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with some evenings for trainings and special events.

Benefits:

• Weekly stipend $150/week
• Onsite, shared housing in a rustic intern cottage

Email letter of interest and resume to Volunteer Manager Carol Raymond at . Cover letter should address your interest in applying for this position, your career goals, and how you anticipate this position will contribute to your professional development.

Download Volunteer Program Intern Description