Department: Zoological Department

Effective Date: February-March 2022

Status: Temporary Unpaid Internship

Hours: 24-32 hours/week (minimum 3 days per work week) for 8/10/12 weeks*

This is a flexible-length internship. We want to provide potential interns with more choice in the length of internship that works for them and their individual situations.

How to Apply: Please send resume and cover letter to Lead Animal Keeper at kcastrogiovanni@ecotarium.org with “zoo intern” in the subject line.

Application Deadline: January 14, 2022

Position Summary:

The Zoological Department at The EcoTarium is looking for an enthusiastic student to join our animal care team for the Spring of 2022. The intern will aid in all areas of husbandry including feeding, cleaning, record keeping, training animals, enrichment, and behavioral observations. Interns will work with a variety of animals under our care, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. The intern will be expected to complete several assigned projects throughout the internship, including public presentations, enrichment design, and record keeping. The position is physically demanding and requires working in all weather conditions.

Qualifications:

  • Must be recent graduate or currently enrolled in a college program working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Animal Science, or related field preferred
  • Excellent observational and record-keeping skills
  • Must be available to work one weekend day and potential holidays
  • Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift, push, pull, carry, or otherwise move objects, climb a 5-foot ladder, and work outdoors in all weather conditions and temperatures
  • Must be comfortable moving quickly, position oneself to reach and access awkward and tight spaces, bend, stoop, or stand for long periods of time.
  • Excellent communication skills and comfort with performance and/or public speaking
  • Must pass a CORI/SORI background check

Responsibilities:

  • Aid in providing daily care of animals, including but not limited to diet preparation, exhibit cleaning, and medical care.
  • Conduct behavioral observations, provide enrichment and aid in/observe daily training of animals utilizing operant conditioning necessary for husbandry care and stimulation.
  • Help maintain daily files and records on animals in written and computerized form, as well as records of individual intern progress
  • Perform all physical aspects of the job, including raking and hauling mulch, gutting exhibits, re-perching bird enclosures, and conducting pool drains and cleans, hosing exhibits, etc.
  • Present formal and informal wildlife programs to the general public and groups, at the museum and off-site, and interact with guests to answer questions
    • Work with team to identify opportunities to educate guests on conservation issues
  • Participate in seminars covering relevant topics pertaining to the animal care field, and perform projects or tasks assigned upon completion of seminars.

Learning Opportunities:

  • Daily hands-on experience relevant to the field
    • Animal husbandry, housekeeping, enrichment, behavioral training, veterinary care, public programs, teamwork, observational skills, etc.
  • Veterinarian visits for demonstrational learning opportunities*
  • Staff-lead seminars on a variety of zoological topics
  • Bird anatomy wet lab with humanely sourced cadavers*

Instructions to Apply:

Please send your resume and a cover letter to kcastrogiovanni@ecotarium.org

*Note: Many aspects of this internship, including the above marked, are susceptible to change per COVID-19 regulations and safety protocols. Interns will be notified at the earliest possible date of any changes to the program or effected dates, but due to the nature of an ever-evolving pandemic, nothing can be safely set in stone.