What are the responsibilities and job description for the Jim Hill Fellowship for Education (Guest Engagement) position at Tennessee Aquarium?
The Jim Hill Fellowship program honors the legacy of one of the Tennessee Aquarium's early leaders, who championed inclusivity in all areas of the Aquarium's work.
The Jim Hill Fellowship offers a 9-week, work-based learning opportunity at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It seeks to provide valuable experience and support, with the goal of encouraging greater participation in conservation science careers. This fellowship aims to guide and empower students with a passion for conservation, to explore practical solutions to conservation challenges while gaining meaningful hands-on experience.
Selected Fellows will be paid a $15.00 hourly wage along with campus housing and parking. The Fellowship period is May 19th to July 18th, 2025, and fellows must be available for the full 9 weeks.
Jim Hill Guest Engagement Fellows will work closely with the Aquarium's award-winning team of professional educators. Education Fellows should have a passion for engaging people in learning about science, animals, conservation, and the environment. Fellows will primarily focus on helping to facilitate interpretive experiences for Aquarium guests through exhibit interpretation, cart programming, facilitating activities for conservation awareness days, and assisting in tours. Each fellow will have an opportunity to work with people of all ages, reflect on how to engage different audiences through public learning experiences and learn how to evaluate these experiences within the Aquarium. Fellows will also have an opportunity to do a special project and present this project to Aquarium staff and relevant parties.
Key Responsibilities:
•Able to work indoors and outdoors in heat and humidity to take part in guest engagement programs for several weeks during the summer.
•Creatively engage guests of all ages in science, the environment, and conservation using a positive, professional, and inviting manner.
•Willing to interact with and learn about education animals, including reptiles, amphibians, insects, and others, and how to present conservation messages about them.
•Interest in learning more about surveys and other ways of evaluating programs and carrying out those evaluation methods.
Key Requirements:
•Currently enrolled, college student with a science or education major
•Able to commit to the full internship of 9 weeks (May 19-July 18)
•Show a high interest in science, education, and conservation.
•Able to lift and carry 50 pounds on occasion.
•Responsible for own transportation from campus housing to the work location
Seasonal, hourly; 36-40 hours/week from May 19th through July 18th (must be available for all 9 weeks); weekend and holiday work may be required; Fellowship includes University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus housing & campus parking; paid parking near the Aquarium during work hours.
Please be prepared to upload a resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcripts during the application process.
All submissions must be received by March 9, 2025, at 5:00 PM (EST).
The Tennessee Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting an inclusive environment
that values and supports diversity and equity among staff, volunteers and all of its audiences.
Salary : $15
