Facility
Little Rock Zoo, Little Rock, AR
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
The Little Rock Zoo is now accepting applications for 2016 summer animal care internships. The Zoo is seeking dependable, hard working college students interested in the field of animal care. Interns will gain valuable experience with exotic animals by training with professional zookeepers. These internships are unpaid and experienced based. Housing and transportation are the responsibility of the intern. The 2016 summer internship term will begin Friday, May 27th, 2016 and will continue until mid-August. End dates may be no earlier than August 8th and no later than August 22nd.
Available Animal Care Internships :
Carnivore Internship
(3 positions)
Interns work alongside carnivore keepers learning their daily routines. Tasks may include, but are not limited to feeding, cleaning, enrichment, training, exhibit maintenance, and public speaking. Daily tasks include some strenuous activity so candidates must be in good physical condition, able to lift up to 50lbs, and able to apply safe working practices. Interns will be trained in all carnivore areas; Big Cats, Bears, and Small Carnivores. Species include Lion, Sloth Bear, Ocelot, Fox, Grizzly Bear, Serval, Tiger, River Otter, Bush dog, Jaguar, Fossa and many more. Weekly schedule may vary so interns must be flexible; any possible conflicts must be mentioned prior to the acceptance of the position.
Hoofstock and Birds Internship
(2 positions)
This position will offer interns the opportunity to learn husbandry practices for a wide variety of birds and hoof stock. Interns will shadow keepers in the Large Hoofstock, Small Hoofstock, and Birds Teams. The Large Hoofstock area includes Camel, Rhino, and Asian Elephant. During the interns time in Large Hoofstock, interns will be exposed to the elephant program and daily routine, however direct experience with the elephants will be limited. Daily tasks include some strenuous activity so candidates must be in good physical condition, able to lift up to 50lbs, and able to apply safe working practices. Other animals will include Greater Kudu, Plains Zebra, Giant Anteater, Maned Wolf, Warthog, Lorikeet, Bald Eagle, Stanley Crane, a variety of free flight tropical birds and more.
Great Apes Internship
(1 position)
Professional keepers will instruct interns in the daily husbandry of great apes. Interns will experience feeding, cleaning, enrichment, training, observational studies, and visitor interaction. Daily tasks include some strenuous activity so candidates must be in good physical condition, able to lift up to 50lbs, and able to apply safe working practices. Suitable candidates must be positive, patient, good workers with well-developed observational skills. Species in this area include Gorilla, Chimpanzee, and Orangutan.
Primates Internship
(1 position)
Interns will shadow professional keepers to learn the daily husbandry of a variety of small primates and lesser apes. Interns will participate in feeding, cleaning, enrichment, observational studies and visitor interaction. Daily tasks include some strenuous activity so candidates must be in good physical condition, able to lift up to 50lbs, and able to apply safe working practices. Suitable candidates must be positive, patient, and able to follow instructions.
Arkansas Heritage Farm Internship
(1 position)
Interns will have the opportunity to experience the routine in the Zoo’s newest section, The Arkansas Heritage Farm. Interns will learn the daily husbandry tasks including feeding, cleaning, enrichment, record keeping and visitor education. Interns will also help in the farm’s contact area monitoring animal and guest interaction. The Farm includes Heritage breed goats, sheep, chickens, horses, and donkeys along with a variety of waterfowl and small mammals. Daily tasks include some strenuous activity so candidates must be in good physical condition, able to lift up to 50lbs, and able to apply safe working practices.
Reptiles Internship
(1 position)
Interns will be instructed by professional Reptile keepers. Interns will be trained to safely handle non-venomous species in the reptile department. Venomous species will not be handled by any interns; however interns will have the opportunity to learn about the care and handling of venomous animals. Daily tasks include some strenuous activity so candidates must be in good physical condition, able to lift up to 50lbs, and able to apply safe working practices. The reptile department is home to over 75 species of snakes, lizards, amphibians, and turtles.
Penguins and Wild Wonders Internship
(2 positions)
A position designed for students who are interested in conservation, education and zoo animal husbandry. Each intern will experience the Penguin and Wild Wonders daily routines. Amount of time in each area will be dependent on intern’s area of interest and zoo needs. Interns will be instructed by the penguin and education keeper staff learning training and handling techniques as well as enrichment, medical treatment, record keeping and general husbandry of a variety of birds of prey, small mammals, non-venomous reptiles, are more. Interns will also participate in the zoo’s educational programs including the Wild Wonders Animal Show. Candidates must have a strong work ethic and be self-motivated. Applicants should also have excellent public speaking skills and be willing to work as part of a team. A basic dive certification is also a plus but not a requirement. Species in the Wild Wonders education area include Bald Eagle, Opossum, Hissing Cockroaches, and a large variety of other small mammals, birds of prey, and reptiles. The penguin area features Black Footed Penguins.
Education Internship
(1 Position)
Little Rock Zoo Education Department is dedicated to helping people connect to nature through unique, fun, dynamic learning experiences that inspire reverential and responsible stewardship of nature. A team of skilled, talented and dedicated conservation educators strive to achieve this mission through the delivery of highly engaging education and interpretation programs, classes, presentations and shows. Little Rock Zoo invites you to come be a part of our team and help us achieve this important mission while gaining invaluable experience and knowledge about effective program development, delivery, evaluation and administration in a public zoo setting. As an Education Intern you will assist the Education Department in fulfilling the mission of the Zoo by assisting with a variety of tasks such as program delivery of Zoo camps, Zoo Snoozes, presenting animal encounters both on and off site, conducting guided tours of the Zoo, and delivery of interpretive presentations, activities and possibly animal chats. Interns will also be involved with the behind-the-scene program development as well as inclusion in the administrative tasks in order to get a well-rounded understanding of a zoo education department. Education Department interns will be required to successfully complete program animal training and certification practicum with a variety of animals (small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and arthropods). Interns are supervised by the Education Department staff.
Education and Pre-requisites
Requirements:
-College student or recent graduate in biology, zoology, or related field
-Must have completed a minimum of 4 semesters at the start of the internship
-Student in good standing, GPA 2.5 or higher
-Capable of lifting 50lbs
-Up-to-date vaccinations, recent physical and negative TB test (dated within 6 months of start date). Documentation will be required the first day of the internship term.
-Available to work weekends and holidays
-Available to work 32-40 hours per week a minimum of 10 consecutive weeks beginning on Friday May 27th 2016
*Acceptance into the program is contingent on passing a background check
**Animal experience is preferable, but not required
Compensation and benefits
Not specified.
Application instructions
To apply:
Applicants must submit all of the following documents to be considered
-resume
-letter of interest including dates of availability
*please include any prior obligations and time off requirements
-school transcript (may be unofficial)
-completed internship application
MAIL COMPLETED APPLICATION PACKAGES TO:
Little Rock Zoo
Attn: LRZ Internship Program
One Zoo Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205
DO NOT E-MAIL APPLICATIONS
APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED ELECTRONICALLY
Please Visit www.littlerockzoo.com to download an application.
Click on the Learn Tab to find Internships
ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED TOGETHER IN ONE COMPLETE PACKAGE
Deadline for summer 2016 applications is Tuesday, March 1st. Packages received after that date will not be considered regardless of postmark dates.
If you have questions not answered by this page you may e-mail kbarszczowski@littlerock.org or shollister@littlerock.org, or leave a message at (501) 661-7271 and we will return your call.