Stacey Luhring Sr. Education Specialist Volunteer and Guest Services Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

1. Stacey Luhring Sr. Education Specialist Volunteer and Guest Services Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

2. Internships – What are they? Academic ? Externship Career Change

3. PDZA Internships = Academic Provide college students or recent college graduates practical experience in a zoological environment

4. PDZA Internship Program History • Prior to 2004 Each departments own program • 2004 Volunteer section recruit and process applications • 2006 Started database - Volgistics for management • 2009 Academic section oversight of entire program • 2010 18 individuals, 6 departments

5. Overview of Management • Zoological • Aquarium • Rocky Shores/Tundra (marine mammals) • Veterinary Student Preceptorship • Veterinary Technician • Wild Wonder Theater Animal Handling • Budgie Buddies Exhibit • Education • Interpretive Services • Summer Camp Programs • Academic & Community Programs • Gift Shop/ Business Services • IT

6. Parameters (PDZA) • 3 to 4 months long; 32-40 hour workweek or 400 hrs. • Flexible schedule with ability to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays. • All positions are unpaid. • No housing $

7. Application Requirements • Enrolled in a college or recently graduated • One year of course work in a major field of study • Be capable of the physical abilities required to work with animals (i.e. lift 50 pounds, etc.) • Application • Cover letter (including your career goals) • Resume • Application questions. • Letters of recommendation

8. Internship Process

9. Recruitment • Website – Description and Applications (Academic) • Posting Opportunities (Academic & Depts.) • Universities • Professional Organization (AZA, AAZK, IMATA, etc.) • Professional Schools (Moorpark, Veterinarian Schools) • Word of Mouth

10. Internship Process

11. Selection • Tracking Form Created (Academic) • Applications sent to departments for review (Individual departments) • Interview and select applicants (Individual Departments)

12. Internship Process

13. Paperwork • Background Check • Disclosure Statement • Sexual Harassment • Drug & Alcohol Agreement • Departments Send to Applicants • Academic collects paperwork • Volunteer input into Volgistics Institution Forms • Intern Contact • Intern Liability Release • Intern Swim Form • TB • Department specific Department Forms

14. Internship Process

15. Internship • Departments manage the internship • Schedule, projects, tests, check offs • Interns track hours on Volgistics

16. Internship Process

17. Completion & Evaluation • Review of projects (Department) • Exit interview (Department) • Notification of end date (Department to Volunteers)

18. Internship Process

19. Annual Reporting • Hours - Volgistics • # of interns - Volgistics • Included in Academic annual report

20. Strengths • Cooperation between departments • Strong Communication • No applicant is lost • Tracking form • Volgistics • Ease the workload on departments • Better placement of interns (good fit) • Each department strong program based on staff strengths

21. Areas for Improvement • Common curriculum template/ format • Enrichment Program • Some departments already do but not all • Cross department field trips or shadows • Common evaluation - track goals & outcomes • Improve annual reporting • Copy of evaluations in their file • Write up of final projects

22. Thank you!