Facility
Oregon Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Deadline to apply: February 11, 2018 @ 5:00 pm, PST
Salary: Unpaid
Position Summary:
One-two internship opportunities are available.
The Oregon Zoo’s Conservation Research Internships are educational and provide students with real world experience that complements their academic training. We offer a structured internship program and work with each student to define the nature, scope and appropriate schedule of the internship. Interns are expected to take on an ‘independent study’ during their term, typically focused on a particular aspect of captive husbandry, butterfly biology, ecosystem conservation, or an element of husbandry data not yet thoroughly explored. There are no fees involved in participating in an internship at the Oregon Zoo; however, all of our internships are unpaid and we are unable to provide any form of compensation or assistance.
The Butterfly Conservation Program is one of a handful of programs conducting captive rearing of threatened and endangered species for release to the wild. The Conservation Butterfly Intern will receive the opportunity to work both with keepers in the Imperiled Butterfly Lab and with Conservation Research staff.
Captive rearing
During the active rearing season, February – October, staff care for thousands of butterfly larvae that are cleaned and fed daily; dish washing, leaf (food) preparation, and record keeping are constant. The work can be tedious, the procedures are highly detailed and the margin for error very small.
Conservation Science
In addition to the captive rearing, our butterfly projects are Research Programs. Many of the records kept during husbandry routines are entered into a database to be summarized for reports and analyzed for comparison across rearing years &/or facilities. Each of Oregon Zoo’s captive rearing projects are part of much larger Species Recovery Programs that include partners from federal, state and local agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Information about our Butterfly Conservation Programs can be found at: https://www.oregonzoo.org/conserve/fighting-extinction-pacific-northwest
At the Oregon Zoo, we hire a workforce representative of the communities we serve, understanding that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We value diversity and support a positive and welcoming environment where all of our employees can thrive.
Education and Pre-requisites
• Successful completion of at least one year of classes at an accredited institution of higher education including 1 year of general biology.
• Internship must fulfill an academic requirement of an accredited Institution of Higher Education in a directly related field of study.
• Proficiency in computer use including word processing, manipulating spreadsheets, creating presentations, online research, and willingness to learn new software as necessary.
• Availability to dedicate 25-40 hours/week including one weekend day.
• Completion of tuberculosis testing (TB Skin Test) prior to start of internship (see more information below).*
* TB Skin Test
Tuberculosis can be transmitted from humans to some Zoo animals; therefore, all employees, volunteers and interns who have contact with Zoo animals must be tested annually for TB. Individuals are responsible for ensuring that this requirement is met on an annual basis. Verification is required.
Preferred
• Coursework in conservation biology, ecology, invertebrate zoology, environmental science, and chemistry are strongly preferred.
• Competitive applicants have coursework in research methods and applied field conservation or research experience.
Due to the critical nature of caring for small, live animals and to ensure integrity of research data, the successful intern must be self motivated and possess a strong attention to detail.
Compensation and benefits
Unpaid internship
Additional Information: Course credits: We encourage interns to apply to their academic institution for course credit and financial support for their internships. It is the responsibility of the intern to ensure that all university or college requirements are met to receive credit/funding. Conservation staff are available to support this process.
Application instructions
To apply: visit www.oregonmetro.gov/jobs for the complete job announcement and a link to our online hiring center.
Application requirements
In addition to the electronic application, please include:
1) a curriculum vitae (coursework resume), including experience related to the minimum requirements and essential expectations of the internship AND
2) a letter of recommendation from your academic advisor or sponsor. Please instruct your academic advisor or sponsor to submit the letter of recommendation separately from this application, to the following email address: HR-Recruitment@oregonmetro.gov and include “Letter of Recommendation” in the subject line. A confirmation will be sent to the sender and applicant once it has been received. Alternatively, a signed PDF may be attached to this electronic application. All materials must be received by the application deadline.
Metro is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.