Facility

Utah’s Hogle Zoo

Closing Date

Description

Organization: Utah’s Hogle Zoo (AZA Member)
Internship: Spring Conservation Internship 2023
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Utah’s Hogle Zoo is currently accepting applications for two part-time internships within the Conservation Department.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The area of conservation is a multidisciplinary field and this internship, based at Utah’s Hogle Zoo, aims to reflect that. The Conservation Interns will work with both our Utah Conservation Programs Supervisor and our Conservation Action Coordinator, with opportunities to shadow in both the animal care and education departments (COVID dependent). Focus areas will include; wildlife habitat connectivity, increasing guest awareness to the conservation work conducted by Hogle Zoo, and wildlife camera based fieldwork.

REPORTS TO: Utah Conservation Programs Supervisor
DATES: 15th February – 12th May (start and end date may be flexible based on school schedule)

POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Internship Learning Objectives:
• Intern will learn how modern zoos support and encourage conservation. They will learn about habitat loss, and other threats to wildlife, and the many in-situ conservation projects supported by Utah’s Hogle Zoo
• Intern will learn about the development and implementation of community science and community engagement projects, from recruitment through training, and implementation
• Intern will learn how sustainability action is the base for long-term success for wildlife conservation. This includes continuation of education for staff and guests, recycling and waste management education and monitoring, and sustainability technologies that can be implemented to improve our positive environmental impact
Internship Requirements:
• Intern completes ~180 hours over a ~12-week period
• Journal: each intern must keep a weekly journal to be shared with their supervisor and mentor

Tasks May Include:
• Investigating ways in which the Zoo can expand their community science programming
• Research opportunities for wild habitat development on Zoo grounds, e.g.: wetlands in a box, pollinator habitat, maximizing zoo tree nursery and garden space, beetle habitat, pollinator habitat
• Further develop and pilot community engagement habitat connectivity project “Hogle Hive”
• Taking part in public awareness events in matters regarding conservation and sustainability, e.g.: develop a resource related guest engagement initiative
• Assisting in field days that may include monitoring amphibians, planting or cleaning along the Jordan River, checking wildlife cameras
• Develop a curriculum for activities relating to Jordan River conservation and restoration that can be conducted on Zoo grounds
• Reducing and monitoring bird window strikes on Zoo grounds through installation of window decals and development of reporting form
• Work with Events Team to research opportunities for Zoo events related to habitat connectivity, e.g. plant show
• Assisting in photo sorting and data management relating to wildlife camera project
• Helping identify areas of Zoo operations that can be improved so as to more closely align with AZA sustainability guidelines
• Helping increase guest awareness of local conservation work the Zoo is undertaking
• Helping increase guest and staff awareness of recycling efforts we have going on currently at the Zoo
• Help manage conservation engagement through social media content
• Participating in off-site volunteering opportunities or tours

SCHEDULE:
• 15th February – 12th May
• ~12-week period
• Flexible 16 hours a week
• Interns may be required to work some Saturdays, holidays, and evenings
• Days worked can be discussed at interview to fit with your schedule

Education and Pre-requisites

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Applicants must be currently enrolled in, or considered a recent graduate of, an undergraduate or graduate program with sophomore standing or above
• Applicants must be in good academic standing (3.0 GPA)
• Applicants must be able to provide proof of a negative TB test and current tetanus vaccine as well as pass a drug test and background check
• Applicants must be able to stand/walk for at least 3 hours and safely lift 40 lbs.
• Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States
• Applicants must have a clean driver’s license and be confident driving the field truck
• Applicants must have good time management skills and be self-motivated

Compensation and benefits

COMPENSATION: This 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 is provided.
During your internship you will receive a 50% discount of food and beverages at the Zoo and a 30% discount in our gift shop.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD:
The Diversity in Conservation Scholarship will provide a $1000 stipend for the duration of the internship. Thanks to the generosity of The Beagle Foundation, this scholarship provides to underrepresented groups the opportunity to study and participate in the field of conservation, through an unpaid internship with Utah’s Hogle Zoo.
Scholarship can only be awarded to individuals identifying as female, those assigned female at birth but identify as non-binary or male, and all genders who are of one or more of the following ethnic minority classifications: African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Asian, Latino, Hispanic or Pacific Islander, as defined by The Beagle Conservation Scholarship.

Application instructions

TO APPLY: Applications are due by January 16th, 2023.

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 informed of our decision/ invited to interview by September 21st
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.