Facility
Utah’s Hogle Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Utah’s Hogle Zoo is currently accepting applications for an internship with their Small Animal Building Areas. This internship is geared towards college students and recent graduates who are interested in playing a direct role in caring for a variety of birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and amphibians. 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: Small Animal Building Husbandry Staff and Supervisor
DATES: May 28, 2018- August 17, 2018 (start and end date may be flexible based on school schedule)
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
There are currently two small mammal/bird intern positions for the Small Animal Building in the Temperate and Tropics Zones. In the Temperate Zone interns will have the opportunity to assist with the care of black-footed cats, rock hyrax, prevosts’ squirrel, red pandas, as well as a variety of birds in the rainforest exhibit. In the Tropics Zone interns will have the opportunity to assist with the care of straw-colored fruit bats, burrowing owls, amazon parrots, kinkajou, titi monkeys, armadillos, and golden lion tamarins. Animal collections may change over time depending on the needs of the building. The selected candidates will assist the Keeper staff in all aspects of maintaining mammal and bird exhibit collections at the Zoo’s Small Animal Building. This internship is designed to provide instruction in the following areas: animal husbandry, nutrition and diets, record keeping, enrichment and training, as well as public education and knowledge of a variety of animals. Intern duties may include the following under keeper supervision (may vary based on skill level and departmental needs):
1. Assist with exhibit maintenance and cleaning
2. Prepare daily diets and perform daily feeding
3. Assist in the maintenance of back-up areas
4. Conduct precise record-keeping
5. Assist with exhibit construction
6. Provide positive and educational interaction with zoo guests
7. Participate in animal enrichment
8. Complete various projects
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 mammals and birds is preferred. Applicants should have a strong career interest in animal husbandry. Candidates should be able to lift 50 pounds, need to have a recent TB test and tetanus shot. The applicant needs to demonstrate maturity, self-motivation, and an ability to follow direction. A basic knowledge and understanding of computer word processing and PowerPoint is helpful. The ability to gain and hold a driver’s license is required. They must also pass a background check and a drug test if selected.
Compensation and benefits
COMPENSATION: The Small Animal Building 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 March 15, 2018.
Please visit http://www.hoglezoo.org/jobs_volunteers/internships to fill out an application and send a resume, cover letter and at least three references to:
Internship Committee
Utah’s Hogle Zoo
2600 E Sunnyside Ave.
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Email: interncommittee@hoglezoo.org