Facility

The Living Desert

Closing Date

Description

The Living Desert Zoo’s mission is desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation. We care for 450 animals with over 150 different desert species represented.
This internship will be centered in the behavioral husbandry department. This department is the most forward centric at the zoo. This intern will be expected to conduct large scale behavioral observations. They will create enrichment items and see them through the evaluation phase. They will observe training sessions and get the opportunity to use training skills to train certain species. A base knowledge in operant conditioning and basic animal behavior is a must. The internship will end with a two-week project week in which the intern will choose an independent project that meets their interests and the needs of the zoo.
Interns will work closely with keepers, alone in animal exhibits and alongside dangerous animals therefore, the applicant will need to show maturity and be able to follow directions.

Essential Duties:
• Each internship consists of a maximum 240 hours. These hours MUST be completed within the specified time frame for which the student is registered for that specific internship.
• Each intern’s week is a minimum of 16 hours per week. Two full days preferred over half days between 6 AM-3:00 PM (including weekends and holidays). Hours and days to be determined upon acceptance.
• Punctuality/Reliability.
• Intern will be in uniform and wear a nametag while on Zoo grounds. Appropriate footwear is required, work boots, hiking shoes or similar. Appropriate outerwear is required for all the weather conditions: extreme heat, dust, rain, wind, etc.
• Must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in extreme heat.
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time.
• Provide a safe environment for the animals, themselves, keepers and guests by identifying, fixing or reporting potential safety hazards.
• Interact with guests and share The Living Desert messages.
• Be knowledgeable about The Living Desert history, conservation messages, mission and vision statements.
• Uphold The Living Desert’s brand standards and culture.
• Must follow and abide by all rules enforced through The Living Desert Employee Handbook.
The following is a list of subjects the intern may learn during an internship:
• Behavioral observations
• Enrichment creation
• Data collection and evaluation
• Welfare monitoring
• Basic training using operant conditioning

Education and Pre-requisites

Prerequisites:
• Negative tuberculosis test prior to start date
• Background check
• Program questionnaire and interview with animal management
• Must be at least 18 years of age
Internship will be from the week of May 26-August 11. This is an unpaid internship and housing will not be provided.

Compensation and benefits

Not specified.

Application instructions

Please send cover letter, resume and two references to Christine Montgomery at animalcaremanagers@livingdesert.org. Application deadline is May 1, 2019.