Facility

The Zoo at Chehaw

Closing Date

Description

The Zookeeper Internship is a paid, 6-month program providing an opportunity to learn about and perform daily husbandry, enrichment, training, and medical procedures. Participants will work alongside zookeepers and gain valuable on-the-job experience. The program is designed to prepare interns for a career in zookeeping or any other animal-care field. Housing and a stipend are provided for the duration of the program.

The zoo collection includes a variety of species, and interns will be assigned to areas as decided by staff. Some animals in our collection are: Black Rhinoceros, Cheetah, Bactrian Camels, Red Wolves, Straw-colored Fruit Bats, nonvenomous and venomous reptiles, raptors, Lesser Flamingos, Colobus Monkeys, and Lemurs.

WORKING HOURS:
40 hours (5 days) per week – ANY DAY Mon-Sun
Interns will be required to work weekends and holidays.

PROGRAM LENGTH:
6 months

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Enclosure cleaning and maintenance
• Diet preparation and feeding
• Participation in an animal training program
• Animal observation and proper record documentation
• Implementation of approved enrichment
• Animal handling during public presentations
• Development of public speaking skills through conservation-themed programs

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
• This position requires interns to work in all weather conditions including heat, humidity, rain, cold, and dust
• Interns will spend 6 months working in/with all aspects of the Zoological Department
• This position involves considerable physical exertion such as repetitive bending, pushing/pulling/carrying heavy loads, and regular lifting of heavy objects (up to 80 pounds)

Education and Pre-requisites

• Candidate must possess a High School Diploma or equivalent; a college degree is preferred
• Candidate must possess a valid drivers license
• Candidates do not need previous animal-care experience, but working in kennels, stables, or other animal facilities will be beneficialw

Compensation and benefits

Pay: $3 per hour stipend
Housing and utilities: Provided on-site

Application instructions

Send resume and cover letter to Ssassone@chehaw.org, on or before listed closing date, with subject line: March 2019 Internship.
No telephone calls will be accepted.