Marketing & Communications Intern

About the Erie Zoo:

The Erie Zoo’s mission is to foster appreciation of nature through memorable experiences and meaningful action. The Erie Zoo celebrated 100 years in 2024 and offers a welcoming and inclusive culture for all employees, guests, and volunteers.

The Erie Zoo is actively seeking to bring on a Marketing, Communications and Events Intern to support the creation and execution of the Erie Zoological Society’s marketing, communications, and event planning strategies. The ideal candidate is creative, detail-oriented, and has strong written and verbal communication skills. They should be comfortable working independently and as part of a team, taking the initiative to complete tasks accurately and by established deadlines.

Minimum Qualifications/Experience

Pursuing a Bachelors or Post-Graduate Degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field of study from an accredited university or college, at least in junior year for 2025.

Key Responsibilities:

Marketing & Communications Support:

• Assist with public relations, digital media, and communications projects.
• Assist with managing social media platforms and contributing to the website.
• Contribute to the creating and updating of written and visual content for newsletters, social media posts, press releases, email blasts, signage and other marketing materials using tools like Canva, Adobe, Constant Contact, and other applicable software.
• Assist in developing marketing strategies and contribute ideas for ongoing projects.
• Help to improve our social media and online presence by optimizing copy and assisting with our content marketing strategy.
• Learn how to measure and report on website and social media performance and gain insights into the success of lead generation tactics.

Event Planning, Management and Execution Support:

• Play an active role in planning, coordinating, and executing both private and public events.
• Assist with event logistics including setup, breakdown, vendor coordination, and guest support.
• Provide on-site support by posting signage, capturing photos and videos, and assisting vendors in locating their stations.
• Contribute creative ideas to enhance the guest experience and improve future events.
• Collaborate closely with the Special Events team to ensure smooth event execution and help troubleshoot issues as needed.

Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with social media platforms and content creation
• Basic understanding of design principles and tools like Canva or Adobe
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Creativity, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn and contribute.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with social media platforms and content creation
• Basic understanding of design principles and tools like Canva or Adobe
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Creativity, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn and contribute.

Internship Details:

This is a temporary part-time position running from the date of hire through September 2025. Weekend availability is required, with some weekday hours also preferred. There is potential for expanded hours during the summer months. Successful completion of the internship will provide valuable skills in marketing, communications, and event planning within the non-profit sector, adding a strong asset to your professional portfolio.

Essential Functions:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above and below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Job Demands:

• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects up to 25 pounds.
• Sedentary work involving mostly sitting, with occasional walking and standing.
  
  

The Erie Zoological Society is an equal opportunity employer.