Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo, is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year.

Duration: 12 weeks

Scheduling: Full time, 35 hours/week

As a Nature Boardwalk Research Intern you will gain valuable experience by assisting the Urban Wildlife Institute (UWI) with various wildlife monitoring and research projects based on zoo grounds and at the Nature Boardwalk, a naturalized wetland at the south end of the zoo. Your work will include monitoring the colony of state endangered Black-Crowned Night-Herons that nests on zoo-grounds, surveying various pollinator species, conducting turtle population assessments, monitoring changes in water quality, processing and organizing data and maintaining research equipment. This position will work closely with the Wildlife Management Coordinator to analyze data gathered from the various projects conducted over the summer. If transportation is available and COVID protocols allow, the intern may be able to assist with field work related to Chicago-based wildlife research projects. As a senior intern, this position will be asked to assist in managing and mentoring other summer research interns (high school and early college age) from time to time. Additionally, this intern is encouraged to practice creative, public communication skills and participate in relevant environmental outreach opportunities, COVID protocols allowing. These may include LPZ camp programs, university tours, or non-LPZ outreach events in which UWI may be asked to participate and will involve learners of many ages, backgrounds, and knowledge levels. The Nature Boardwalk research intern should be self-motivated, collaborative, and enthusiastic to work both in the field and in front of a computer. They will have the opportunity to create and execute a unique project of interest provided the essential job functions are met. This is a 12 week paid, full-time position (35 hours per week) beginning in mid-May 2022.

Learning objectives

The intern will learn about…

• Urban wildlife ecology and field techniques for studying wildlife, including trail cameras and acoustic recording devices, nest surveys, wildlife capture & handling
• Identifying images of common urban wildlife species
• Managing data resulting from a broad-scale, long-term study and interpret collected data
• Designing and conducting a scientific study
• Communicate various ecological principles and research results to the public

Essential Job Functions

• Conduct wildlife surveys at Nature Boardwalk and on zoo grounds, COVID
  protocols allowing
• Perform data entry with high attention to detail and enthusiasm
• Assist with organizing data, test field equipment, inventory supplies, and field
  work preparations
• Occasional local travel in Chicago for field projects (provided transportation will depend on COVID restrictions and vehicle availability)
• Attend Lincoln Park Zoo and/or Urban Wildlife Institute-related meetings and activities as necessary
• Local travel in Chicago for field projects
• Serve as a credible source of information about general ecosystem functions pertaining to Nature Boardwalk

Additional Responsibilities

• Complete a personal project that is mutually agreed by the intern and staff.
• Assist in managing and mentoring volunteers and junior interns when appropriate
• Assist with literature reviews related to urban wildlife research projects
• Write a blog post(s) related to a topic learned during the internship (an observation, an interesting result, new ecological information about a species)
• Participate in intern program activities such as career panels with staff and other interns at the zoo
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

The applicant should…

• Demonstrate an understanding of and genuine passion for ecology and scientific research
• Possess some expertise in field techniques for wildlife research
• Possess strong computer, organizational, and interpersonal skills (written and spoken)
• Be willing to work outside in challenging field conditions (i.e., summer and winter) and to work early morning or later afternoon/evening hours as necessary
• Be able to interact positively, enthusiastically, and creatively with the public about our research when appropriate
• Works well in a team environment as well as independently
• Experience with diverse backgrounds and multicultural environments
• Maintain a positive and flexible approach to daily responsibilities

Educational Requirements

• Bachelors Degree (in progress or recently completed), preferably in biology, ecology, natural resources, or related field

Preferred Experience

We prefer applicants that:

• Have conducted or assisted with wildlife ecological studies, including use of remote-triggered cameras, experience in ornithology, or some fieldwork experience
• Have some familiarity with software including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, program R, program MARK, and ArcGIS
• Possess some knowledge of Illinois fauna

Additional Requirements

Proof of full COVID-19 Vaccination, defined as two-weeks after second vaccination of a two-dose vaccine series (Pfizer or Moderna) or two-weeks after a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson)