OMSI Life Science Education Internship - Wild Minds Exhibition

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is seeking a Life Science Education Intern to work with the upcoming Wild Minds exhibition. This is an unpaid position which may be completed for school credit. It offers the successful candidate a unique opportunity to learn more about informal science education and program development one of the nation's leading science museums. This position is available immediately, and will remain open until filled.

Summary of position:
The Life Science Education Intern will facilitate visitors' learning experiences with Wild Minds: What Animals Really Think, an exhibition highlighting animal cognition. This exhibit opens in OMSI's Life Science Hall on February 11, and runs through August 19, 2012.

Essential duties and responsibilities:
* Interact with visitors to help them explore and learn about animal cognition.
* Participate in the presentation of hands-on science demonstrations.
* Assist with training and supervision of adult and youth volunteers for the Wild Minds exhibition.
* Assist with the development of demonstrations and curriculum materials for the exhibit.
* Maintain integrity and appearance of the Life Science Hall and Lab exhibits. This includes caring for small animals, lab cleaning, and assistance with opening and closing procedures.
* Comfortable working with and handling live animals.
* Maintain a safe and secure environment for visitors.
* Must be dependable and punctual, and be willing to commit to a schedule.
* Must present a professional personal appearance.
* Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Life Science Senior Educator.

Knowledge/skills:
* Strong communication and customer service skills.
* Ability to present science process and content in an engaging way to a broad age range.
* Ability to take initiative.
* Basic knowledge and interest in Life Science - Biology, Anatomy, Zoology, etc.

Education and work experience:
* Working toward or having a BA/BS in science or education with college course work in science.
* Experience working with the public in formal or informal educational settings highly desirable.

Commitment:
8-16 hours per week, 3-6 months

To apply for this position, applicants should send a resume, cover letter, and OMSI's internship application (available at www.omsi.edu/internships) to Carol Cruzan at ccruzan@omsi.edu. If you have questions about the position, please contact Carol at 503-797-4693.

Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation's leading science museums. OMSI offers 219,000 square feet of brain-powered fun through hundreds of interactive exhibits and hands-on demonstrations. OMSI has five exhibit halls, eight science labs, a giant screen OMNIMAX Dome Theater, the most technologically advanced planetarium in the Pacific Northwest, and the USS Blueback submarine, the last fast-attack diesel-powered submarine built by the U.S. Navy. OMSI is located on the east side of the scenic Willamette River in downtown Portland.