Facility
Kentucky Reptile Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
The Kentucky Reptile Zoo internship program offers college students or recent graduates the chance to receive hands-on training experience at a facility with one of the most extensive and diverse reptile collections in the world. We have available internships for every season. Starting dates are flexible, but a minimum of three months covering spring (April-June), summer (June-August), fall (September-November) and winter (December-March) is required. The intern will assist in the captive maintenance of the zoo’s reptile collection, collect admissions to the exhibit, give interpretive talks and interact with the public, assist with educational outreach programs, and perform other duties as assigned. In the winter, greater emphasis is placed on the general upkeep of the facility and its animals; our visitor traffic is significantly lower and so other duties become more prevalent than public interaction. In addition, the intern will have the option to complete a research project related to the field of herpetology. The intern will not be involved in the handling of any venomous species.
Education and Pre-requisites
Eligibility Requirements:
– A college student or recently graduated college student; former interns have arranged for academic credit with their institutions
– Students majoring in the biological or natural sciences are preferred
– A valid driver’s license
– Personal transportation is recommended
– Must be willing to work weekends, receiving two days off during the week instead
– An ability to communicate effectively with people
– Comfortable handling snakes and other reptiles on a daily basis
– Must be willing to do work such as lifting, bending, stooping, carrying heavy objects, and be willing to do work outdoors in a range of weather conditions
– Orientation to details
– Positive attitude and strong work ethic
– An interest in reptiles!
Compensation and benefits
Benefits include experience at one of the most well known reptile facilities in the world alongside professional herpetologists, housing, and $55/week stipend to cover expenses. The vast majority of our interns have been successful in finding zoo keeper positions!
Application instructions
The deadline to apply is Friday, November 17, 2016.
To apply, send a cover letter, resume, transcript, and at least 2 (preferably 3) references to:
Kat Dale
Internship Coordinator
Kentucky Reptile Zoo
200 L&E Railroad
Slade, KY 40376
or email to: reptilezoo@bellsouth.net
(Please put “Winter internship” in the subject line.)