Essential Tasks

Interns will work in a fast paced, team setting learning the daily ins and outs of being an Animal Care Specialist. Each day offers a wide variety of learning experiences. Working side by side with a diverse team of experienced Animal Care Specialists, interns will spend their day performing the following tasks:

✔ Diet preparation for species in the collection.
✔ Complete cleaning of animal enclosures as well as cleaning and maintenance tasks of both public and behind the scenes areas.
✔ Education and interacting with guests.
✔ Working alongside mentor to complete an individual project.
✔ Evaluating and distributing species-specific environmental enrichment
✔ Husbandry data collection and record keeping
✔ Delivering browse to areas around the zoo (seasonal)
✔ Learning natural history of the species in the collection.
✔ Conducting behavioral observations.
✔ Working hands on with animals is dependent on each intern’s individual skill level, and is under close staff supervision.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be able to meet the following requirements:

✔ Completion of three (3) years of college or equivalent (junior and seniors)
✔ Overall grade point average of 3.0 (out of 4.0)
✔ Must be willing to accept the internship as an unpaid position and commit to a minimum of at least 12-17 weeks, up to 40 hours a week.
✔ Candidates should be able to maintain a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and desire to learn.
✔ Candidates should possess the ability to work cohesively in a team or be trusted to work independently.
✔ At this time, we are not able to accept international candidates.

Scheduling Requirements

Interns will have a set schedule that includes a five-day work week, with two consecutive days off.  The scheduling requirements for this internship are as follows:

✔ Applicants should be available to work during the entire term of the internship, including any weekdays, weekends, and holidays that may fall within the internship term.
✔ Shift times vary by day, and will be either 7:00-4:00, 8:00-5:00, or 9:00-6:00.  Interns are expected to work the full shift to which they are assigned for the day, with a one-hour lunch.
✔ Applicants should notify the Habitat Africa! - Forest staff of any anticipated scheduling needs at the time of the interview, including starting a new year of schooling, maintaining a second job, etc.
 

Physical Expectations

The daily activities of an animal caregiver are often very strenuous physically. To give applicants a clear idea of the physical nature of the position, we have listed the following physical requirements:

✔ Must possess the ability to stand, kneel, or squat for long periods of time. A majority of the day will be spent standing or walking, and very little time will be spent sitting
✔ Interns may be expected lift up to 50 lbs on a daily basis
✔ Applicants must be comfortable handling insects, and frozen whole prey.
✔ Applicants must be comfortable working in close contact with large mammals.
✔ Applicants should be willing to work in varying weather conditions, including working outside in inclement weather, working in very warm climates, and working in very cold temperatures, depending on the season.
 

Application Submissions

Completed application packets must arrive no later than the final deadline. Applications that are incomplete or arrive after the final deadline will not be considered.

✔ Current Resume
✔ Professional Cover Letter
✔ College transcript(s) - Official or unofficial copies are accepted.
✔ Two (2) letters of recommendation