Facility
The Learning Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
The Learning Zoo, Conroe, TX
thelearningzootx.com
The Learning Zoo is a small, family-run children’s zoo outside of Houston, Texas. Owned by a graduate of the Santa Fe Teaching Zoo and focusing on families and children ages 5-12, The Learning Zoo is dedicated to fostering respect and appreciation for wildlife through hands-on experiences and educational programs.
We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about education and interacting with the public, and interested in gaining more in-depth experience with educational programs and ambassador animals.
The ideal candidate must be outgoing, good with children (including rule enforcement during tours and programs), and be stellar with public speaking, in addition to being a passionate animal professional.
Our collection currently trends heavily toward reptiles, including large lizards, tortoises, and various pythons and colubrids, as well as a petting zoo with domestic hoofstock, including goats, Kune Kune pigs and a female pony, and we have recently added African Crested Porcupines to our collection, with plans to expand into more exotic mammal species. Many of our reptiles are housed outdoors, including carpet pythons, Cyclura iguanas, and tortoises, which presents novel learning opportunities and challenges for keepers who want to expand their knowledge of reptile behavior and husbandry beyond the basics.
Duties:
We are offering a 6 month internship, with candidates scheduled to work 30-40 hours a week in an animal care role, responsible for diet prep, feeding, cleaning and maintenance of exhibits, enrichment and training of ambassador animals, and recordkeeping. They would also assist with construction of new enclosures, pathways, and guest amenities as the zoo expands and prepares to add small mammals such as large rodents, macropods, and small carnivores to the collection.
In addition to animal husbandry, our intern will also support in party preparation, lead guided tours of the zoo and lead animal encounters and presentations for birthday parties and other groups. These shows offer a fantastic real-world opportunity to hone your skills as a speaker, an animal handler, and an educator.
Time will also be spent caring for on-site colonies of rodents, insects, and quail that serve as feeder animals.
Start Date: Mid to Late July, with some flexability to allow for move-in to the on-site housing.
Education and Pre-requisites
Requirements:
Ideal candidates will have prior experience with reptiles (preferably in an education or presentation setting), as well as livestock, small mammals, and birds. Recent graduates with degrees in Zoo Animal Technology are preferred, but Zoology, Psychology, and similar disciplines are a plus.
Candidates must be able to work outdoors in Texas summer heat and humidity, lift and carry at least 50 pounds, and stand or walk for long periods of time. Good written and verbal communication skills are a must, as are observation skills and attention to detail.
Teamwork, cooperation, and being able to adjust to new circumstances on short notice are important for this internship.
Candidates must be comfortable working with and handling large constrictors and arachnids, as well as feeding live insects or pre-killed whole prey to carnivores.
Any candidate selected will be required to complete a drug test and background check, and there is no smoking allowed on property, including the on-site housing.
Compensation and benefits
A stipend of $600 per month will be provided, as well as private housing on-site, with all utilities included.
Additional compensation will be offered for each guided tour or group presentation they give, at a rate of $20 per tour and $50 per birthday party.
Application instructions
Please send a cover letter, résumé, and three references to thelearningzootx@gmail.com, Subject Line : Learning Zoo Internship
Interviews will be conducted over Zoom or phone, and applicants may be asked to give a mock animal presentation of 2-3 minutes.