Intern, Communications

Association of Zoos and Aquariums•Silver Spring, MD

50d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is seeking a Communications Summer Intern to join their External Affairs team. This internship provides a valuable opportunity to gain experience in public relations and communications. The intern will assist with writing and editing for media, communicating with member zoos and aquariums for collaborative opportunities, and drafting and scheduling social content. The internship is designed for hands-on learning through project-based assignments, training, and ongoing feedback. This internship is based in the Silver Spring, MD headquarters and is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Interns must be based in DC, MD, or VA for the duration of the internship. The internship will run for 10 weeks during the summer, from June to August, with core dates from June 8 – August 14. Start and end dates are flexible based on the intern’s summer calendar.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in (at least a Junior) or recently graduated from a college or university program in communications, public relations or a related field.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Detail-oriented and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
A positive attitude and willingness to learn.
Experience writing for media and basic understanding of social media.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Nice To Haves

Interest or experience with zoos and aquariums is preferred.
Experience with Sprout, Meltwater, and Canva is a plus.

Responsibilities

Communicating and coordinating with AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums around the world on social media campaigns
Coordinating and implementing a SAFE PSA campaign outreach across the U.S.
Writing and editing a media release and a digital Connect article
Compiling media coverage from member facilities for Member Headlines
Drafting content and scheduling posts on Sprout for AZA social media pages