Facility
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is seeking aspiring animal care professionals who are interested in learning about the high quality care, guest stewardship, and award winning training we provide every day.
CMZ’s internship program consists of 360 hours of intensive, one on one training between the interns and the keepers within a given animal area. Though we strive to cater the internship to the individual’s interests on a case by case basis, all interns will be introduced to the following topics: animal observations, diet preparation and distribution, cleaning and disinfection of animal enclosures and public areas, preparing and administering medications, enrichment creation, distribution, and evaluation, positive reinforcement training, veterinary procedures, presentation of information to guests and staff, safety procedures, rules and policies of AZA and USDA.
Intern Responsibilities include:
• A minimum of 3 days per week scheduled
• Must be on time to assigned shift and location
• Intern will be in uniform including appropriate footwear. Appropriate outerwear is required for all the weather conditions: rain, snow, wind, hail, etc.
• Must be able to lift and carry 70 lbs. with reasonable assistance
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time
• Must be able to move quickly to avoid obstacles, climb fences and hills
• Provide a safe environment for the animals, themselves, keepers and guests by identifying, fixing or reporting potential safety hazards
• Interact professionally and positively with guests and share CMZ messages
• Throughout the internship, interns may be given other opportunities that are not assigned in the intern handbook. Flexibility is mandatory.
• Must follow and abide by all rules enforced through the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Intern Handbook
Certificate of Completion is awarded upon meeting the following criteria:
• Minimum score of 70% on Final Evaluation
• Minimum score of 70% on Final Test
• Completion of 360 internship hours
Since we approach our internships as enrollment into a learning institution, certain fees apply. These fees include a zoo membership that is valid through the duration of your internship, and includes all the benefits that come with the membership (e.g.: free admission to the zoo on your days off, discounts on zoo programs, etc.) A discount is applicable during our off season between September 1st and February 28th. Please consult your career counselor at your school to inquire about receiving academic credit for your internship.
When possible area preference will be given to those who submit their application for the Spring/Summer season (April – August) by March 1st, 2020.
Education and Pre-requisites
Pre-requisites to become an intern are as follows:
• CMZ Animal Department Program Application- CMZ approval
• CMZ Animal Department Program Questionnaire- CMZ approval
• Resume
• Negative Tuberculosis test prior to start date
• Background Check
Required Skills for Interns
• Communication skills for effective working relationships with all Zoo staff and Zoo guests
• Writing skills to effectively communicate through dailies and other pertinent paperwork
• Ability to work as an effective team member
• Ability to work alone with minimal supervision
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions
• Ability to remain calm and think rationally under pressure
• Ability to increase speed of work pace throughout duration of internship
• Ability to pay great attention to detail
• Ability to be flexible when changes occur
Compensation and benefits
Not specified.
Application instructions
For more information and to apply, please visit CMZOO.org