Facility

Utah’s Hogle Zoo

Closing Date

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:
This internship is geared towards college students and recent graduates who are interested in playing a direct role in understanding more about feeding strategies of carnivores at the zoo. The internship is in the Animal Care Department studying the effects of multiple feeding strategies for the zoos carnivore population. Interns will be working with keepers from a minimum of two different areas, focusing primarily on the zoo’s large obligate carnivores.

All applicants should be organized, self-motivated and have excellent people skills. This internship is an in-depth program requiring a 40 hour per week commitment for 12 weeks. Interns must be flexible with their schedule, and have the ability to work weekdays, weekends and holidays. It is an unpaid position and there is no housing provided. All internship positions are on a voluntary basis only. Housing, travel expenses and transportation are the responsibilities of the candidate.

REPORTS TO: Associate Director of Animal Care

DATES: Summer: May 24- August 16, 2021 (start and end date may be flexible on a case by case basis)

POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The selected candidates will assist the Animal Care department’s carnivore feeding program. This internship is designed to provide opportunities to study the following disciplines: animal behavior, nutrition and diet preparation, record keeping, public education and knowledge of species under your care. Primarily, the intern will review the efficiency of multiple feeding strategies among selected carnivore species at the zoo. Intern duties may include the following under keeper supervision (may vary based on skill level and departmental needs):

Gorge-Fast Program
1. Maintain feeding and consumption data for selected carnivores
2. Collect daily fecal quality data on 1.1 Amur tigers
3. Develop a consumption timeline for carnivores
4. Monitor and chart carnivore weights
5. Develop a digital photograph library of body condition scores for carnivore species
6. Monitor anticipatory behavior and correlate with gorge fast calendar

Carcass Feeding Program
1. Take Inventory of carcasses and update calendar
2. Establish current storage capacity and future storage needs
3. Help with quartering and field dress as needed
4. Monitor behavior during carcass feeds
5. Monitor consumption of carcass feeds

WORK SCHEDULE: 40 hours a week for a minimum of 12 weeks. Interns are expected to work on holidays and weekends.

Education and Pre-requisites

QUALIFICATIONS:
Be currently enrolled in a college or university, or have recently graduated. Have a minimum of one year of course work in a major field of study to be applied during the internship (e.g. Biology, Zoology, Environmental Science, etc.). Experience working with large animals or course work in comparative nutrition or carnivore nutrition preferred. Applicant should have a strong career interest in animal nutrition in a zoological setting. Qualified applicants must be able to work in a team environment, able to lift 50 lbs. and work outdoors in the typical Utah climate. Interns need to have a recent negative TB test and tetanus shot. They must also pass a background check and a drug test if selected. Because of the nature of working close to a variety of animals, both alongside the management and keeper staff, the applicant needs to demonstrate maturity, self-motivation, and an ability to follow direction. A basic knowledge and understanding of computer word processing, excel, and PowerPoint is helpful. The ability to gain and hold a driver’s license is required. First Aid/CPR certified preferred.

Compensation and benefits

COMPENSATION: The Carnivore Nutrition Intern position is unpaid. Professional development opportunities will be available. Possible college credit is available for those able to receive it through their college/university. No housing provided.

Application instructions

TO APPLY: Applications are due by February 14, 2021.

Please visit https://www.hoglezoo.org/jobs_volunteers/internships/ to fill out an application. In addition to completing the application send a resume, cover letter, and informal transcript to volunteeroffice@hoglezoo.org .

Applicants will be contacted for interviews at the end of February, please do not expect to hear from us before then.

Please e-mail volunteeroffice@hoglezoo.org with any questions.

Utah’s Hogle Zoo is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive internship program representative of a variety of backgrounds, age groups, perspectives, experiences, abilities, and strengths.