SAMi Partnership Intern: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Sam Partnership Internship

The SAM Partnership Internship is a unique opportunity for a recent graduate of Tacoma Public Schools' Science and Math Institute (SAMi) to gain hands-on experience in collaborative conservation education and program impact evaluation. The intern will work alongside Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (PDZA) education staff to share their lived experiences and subject matter expertise, support the administration of a newly developed program evaluation system, and contribute to strategic planning for future partnered programming between PDZA and SAMi. This internship is designed to provide worksite learning in: community partnerships, conservation education program logistics coordination, program impact evaluation, empathy for wildlife best practices.

Essential Duties

Under the guidance of PDZA's Conservation Engagement team and PDZA/SAMi Partnership work-unit staff, the selected Intern will have the opportunity to gain experience in a variety of areas, including but not limited to:

• Program Impact Evaluation: utilizing recently developed evaluation tools and strategies to collect data on partnership impact. Review and analyze data in a variety of formats including conversation-based/observational data and online surveys. Provide input on feasibility of evaluation tools and efficacy of strategies to contribute to planning for a long-term, sustainable evaluation methodology.
• Partnership Representation and Engagement: represent PDZA at SAMi events and meetings, and SAMi at PDZA events and meetings. Engage with PDZA professional committees and work-units, drawing on lived-experience of attending SAMi. Engage directly with SAMi teachers to support evaluation activities. Engage with SAMi mentor groups and other student-groups for evaluation data-collection and information sharing.
• Promoting a Culture of Conservation: Champion Empathy for Wildlife best practices within SAMi staff and student work. Encourage active participation amongst SAMi staff and students in partnering with PDZA. Synthesize lived-experience to provide input and direction to strengthen student learning outcomes and PDZA/SAMi partnership.
• Continuous Improvement: provide constructive feedback on evaluation methods, partnered programming, and fellowship experience. Track and record amount of time spent on various aspects of program evaluation protocol to support future planning.

Minimum Qualifications

• Recent graduate of Tacoma Public School's SAMi High School (Classes of 2024, 2025, or 2026 eligible).
• Must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma from SAMi, must have graduated from SAMi with good academic standing.
• Must be proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite/Windows or other digital tools for word processing, data analysis, information sharing, presentations.
• Demonstrated interest in educational program coordination and conservation learning.
• Demonstrated interest in positive and productive partnership between PDZA and SAMi.
• Strong interpersonal, active listening and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work both independently and in close collaboration with team members.
• Ability to work collaboratively with community members of various backgrounds and diverse perspectives.

Preferred Experience:

• Engagement with PDZA during time at SAMi including:
• Internship
• Youth leadership development program
• Zoo Conservation course
• Other relevant Zoo based experiences

Additional Information

Work Environment:

• Indoor and outdoor settings in varied weather conditions.
• Frequent interaction with high school students, educators, zoo staff, and the public.
• Possible close contact with wild animals.
• May require evenings, weekends, and variable hours.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk (or move independently) in various offices spaces, classroom spaces, zoo grounds, and varied outdoor terrain.
• Ability to sit or stand at a workstation for extended periods of time.
• Manual dexterity for computer work and field equipment.
• Ability to hear, speak, and see for communication and information processing.

Potential Hazards:

• Exposure to dissatisfied program participants and/or challenging interpersonal interactions.
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals, exhaust fumes, and wild animals.

This Internships is a limited-term program, with stipend generously provided by the ACE for Wildlife Network, administered by The Zoo Society. Stipends are considered taxable income and should be reported to the IRS on your tax return. Interns are not officially classified as employees of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, ACE for Wildlife Network, The Zoo Society or Parks Tacoma.