Animal Care
Interns will apply their major-related knowledge to support our animal care staff in various responsibilities associated with maintaining the animal collection. Interns will gain hands-on experience in various areas of a public zoo/aquarium environment.
Responsibilities
Interns will support our animal care staff in various responsibilities associated with maintaining the animal collection. Tasks include, but are not limited to, routine cleaning of enclosures, diet preparations, observation, behavioral enrichment, laboratory tests, maintenance of animal records and guest interactions.
Qualifications
Open to those majoring in biology, environmental studies or other life sciences-related areas of study. Qualified applicants should have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to work well in a team environment, as well as to work with minimal supervision. Some areas can be physically demanding and may require the ability to lift 50 lbs. and the intern will have to work in various weather conditions. Fall/Spring applicants will need to commit 15-30 hours per week for the duration of the semester. Summer applicants will need to commit 20-37.5 hours per week for the duration of the summer.
Environmental Education
Maymont’s environmental education program focuses on engaging the guests through the learning of natural history and ecology of the James River, native Virginia wildlife and numerous environmental science topics. The combination of live animal exhibits, interactive science displays, and a wide variety of educational programs provide a unique opportunity for college students to gain experiences in program implementation, interpretation, and reporting in a large scale nature center.
Responsibilities
Interns will assist with Maymont’s SOL-based field trip and outreach programs and help with daily duties of the environmental educators, including presentation of public programs and program development. Interns will work with animals and children. Special projects will be assigned that may include computer literacy and written results. Uniform shirts and manuals will be provided. School credit may be earned if all school requirements are met.
Qualifications
Open to those enrolled in education, biology, environmental studies, or other life sciences-related areas of study. Qualified applicants should have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to work well in a team environment. Completion of orientation and training; desire or willingness to work with children; and learning of policies and procedures for handling select ambassador animals required. Fall/Spring applicants will need to commit eight hours per week for the duration of the semester, for a total of 120 hours. Summer applicants will need to commit 30 hours per week for 12 weeks between May and August.
Citizen Science (Summer Only)
Maymont offers a 100-acre green space within the City of Richmond for both guests and wildlife to enjoy. As a Citizen Science Intern, you will work with the Environmental Education department to assist in collecting and recording data for three ongoing citizen science projects. Current projects at Maymont include: Rivertrends water quality testing, Eastern Bluebird nest box monitoring, bat box monitoring, and FrogWatch USA frog and toad monitoring.
Responsibilities
The intern will monitor and report on current projects, aid in developing educational material or programming lesson plans that incorporates citizen science. Opportunities will be provided to develop your own citizen science project.
Qualifications
Interns must be a life sciences or environmental science major. Qualified applicants will have excellent written and verbal skills, be computer literate, maintains an attention to detail, and follows procedures. Completion of orientation and training; ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds and walk at least two miles on hilly terrain required. Applicants must commit to 15 hours per week for a minimum of 10 weeks between May and August.
Maymont Mansion
Maymont Mansion internships provide an opportunity to work in a variety of museum positions within the mansion, and may be customized to individual career goals. Interns will be introduced to the history of Maymont Mansion and the collections.
Responsibilities
Interns will learn how to accession objects including proper handling and marking procedures, scanning and re-housing archives, how to use a collection database, and how to give an effective tour to a diverse audience. The intern may have additional projects assigned during the internship, including research opportunities. Interns will have the opportunity to work in a variety of museum positions within the mansion and the internship may be customized to individual career goals.
Qualifications
Must be goal-oriented with an interest in late nineteenth century history, interior design history or art history.
Development Office
Development Office internships are geared towards college students looking to pursue a career in fund development. Interns will work closely with the development staff on various projects and staff will provide supervision and professional guidance for students interested in gaining hands-on experience in the field of non-profit fund development.
Responsibilities
Interns will work alongside staff to complete various tasks that will support Maymont’s fund raising projects. These tasks might include prospect research, data entry, large mailings, and special events assistance.
Qualifications
Must have a strong interest in pursuing fund development as a potential career path, will be fluent in Microsoft Office, and have a willingness to take on projects.