Opportunities From: Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

ANIMAL DEPARTMENT INTERNSHIP POSITION OVERVIEW

Interns will be able to work alongside keepers in the day-to-day care of these species and interact with guests. Interns will learn about animal husbandry, behavior, dietary requirements, operant conditioning training, enrichment, animal restraint, and species management.

Duties:

Interns are supervised by animal care staff within the department; however, with some specific projects, interns are expected to have the ability to work autonomously following directions. In addition to assisting with cleaning, interns will have the opportunity to be involved with public presentations, diet preparation, animal feeding, and special projects, including the creation of enrichment items and participation in research programs. Interns will be exposed to various animals ranging from invertebrates to mammals. Assignments and opportunities that are available to animal department interns are based on individual progress during the internship.

Program Description:

Animal Department Internship encompasses a wide variety of species and is dependent on the department selected. Interns will be able to work alongside keepers in the day-to-day care of these species and interact with guests. Interns will be able to learn about animal husbandry, behavior, dietary requirements, operant conditioning training, enrichment, animal restraint, and species management.

Program Objectives:

Provide support to the Animal Department staff in daily animal care duties. Allow qualified individuals the opportunity to gain professional hands-on experience. Promote an opportunity to gain a strong understanding of potential careers in animal husbandry, research, and conservation.

Responsibilities:

Animal Department interns are supervised by animal care staff within the department; however, with some specific projects, interns are expected to have the ability to work autonomously following directions. In addition to assisting with cleaning, interns will have the opportunity to be involved with public presentations, diet preparation, animal feeding, and special projects, including the creation of enrichment items and participation in research programs. Interns will be exposed to a wide variety of species. Assignments and opportunities that are available to an intern are based on individual progress during the internship.

Qualifications:Must be 18 years of age or older.Upperclassmen and recent college graduates are preferred.Must be able to work 16-24 hours/week.Must be able to work approximately 8 hours per day on assigned days.Must provide proof of negative TB test and submit to drug testing prior to the start of the internship.Must be able to work efficiently and safely around live animals.

Physical and Environmental:

This position involves a lot of walking and lifting. Time outdoors is expected in all different weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, or dust. It may also involve considerable physical exertion such as climbing, reaching, assuming awkward positions, repetitive motions, and lifting and/or moving heavy objects (up to 50 pounds) on a regular basis. Due to the nature of this environment, interns will have some public contact requiring considerable communication skills.

To Apply: Complete Online Internship ApplicationEligible applicants will be contacted for a phone interview by the Animal Department shortly after the application deadline.

Internship Dates and Deadline to Apply:

Fall Term – (September – December with a deadline to apply by  July 15th)Spring Term – (January – April with a deadline to apply by November 15th)Summer Term – (May – August with a deadline to apply by March 15th)

The start date is normally within the first 2 weeks of the first month of the internship and it is a 3-month, 16 hours per week unpaid internship.

For questions about our internship programs please email volunteers@centralfloridazoo.org

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW

This internship position includes assisting the Zoo Teacher education team with education programs at the Zoo. Our exciting education programs offer students a wide variety of fun and interesting topics to learn about, including endangered species, careers in zoos, animal adaptations, Florida wildlife, island animals, and much more!

Duties:

Duties will include setting up programs, supervising students, assisting Zoo Teachers with program activities, and clean up. As part of assisting the Zoo Teacher team with teaching duties, the internship will also include training to work with program animals in the Education Department.

Qualifications:Must be 18 years of age or older.Upperclassmen and recent college graduates are preferred.Must be able to work 10-24 hours/week.Must be able to work approximately 5-8 hours per day on assigned days.Must submit to drug testing prior to the start of the internship.Must be able to work efficiently and safely around live animals.

Physical and Environmental:

This position involves walking, standing, and potentially lifting. Time outdoors is expected in all different weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, or dust. It may also involve considerable physical exertion such as climbing, reaching, assuming awkward positions, repetitive motions, and lifting and/or moving heavy objects (up to 50 pounds) on a regular basis. Due to the nature of this environment, Education interns will have a lot of public contact requiring considerable communication skills.

To Apply:Complete online internship application.The Education team will contact eligible applicants for a phone interview after the application deadline.

Internship Dates and Deadline to Apply:

Fall Term – The deadline to apply is July 15thSpring Term – The deadline to apply is November 15thSummer Term – The deadline to apply is March 15th

For questions about our education internship programs please email dawnd@centralfloridazoo.org

OCIC DEPARTMENT INTERNSHIP POSITION OVERVIEW

Interns will be able to work alongside keepers in the day-to-day care of Eastern indigo snakes, striped newts, and other Florida Native reptiles. Interns will learn about animal husbandry, behavior, dietary requirements, animal restraint, and species management.

Duties:

Interns are supervised by animal care staff; however, with some specific projects, interns are expected to have the ability to work autonomously following directions. In addition to assisting with cleaning, interns will have the opportunity to be involved with public presentations, diet preparation, animal feeding, and special projects, including participation in research programs. Interns will be exposed to various animals, including Eastern indigo snakes, striped newts, and other Florida native reptiles. Assignments and opportunities available to interns are based on individual progress during the internship.

Program Description:

Interns will be able to learn about animal husbandry, behavior, dietary requirements, animal restraint, and species management.

Program Objectives:

Provide support to the OCIC staff in daily animal care duties. Allow qualified individuals the opportunity to gain professional hands-on experience. Promote an opportunity to gain a strong understanding of potential careers in animal husbandry, research, and conservation.

Responsibilities:

OCIC interns are supervised by animal care staff; however, with some specific projects, interns are expected to have the ability to work autonomously following directions. In addition to assisting with cleaning, interns will have the opportunity to be involved with public presentations, diet preparation, animal feeding, and special projects, including participation in research programs. Interns will be exposed to a wide variety of species. Assignments and opportunities available to an intern are based on individual progress during the internship.

Qualifications:Must be 18 years of age or older.Upperclassmen and recent college graduates are preferred.Must be able to work 16-24 hours/week.Must be able to work approximately 8 hours per day on assigned days.Must provide proof of negative TB test and submit to drug testing before the start of the internship.Must be able to work efficiently and safely around live animals.

Physical and Environmental:

This position involves a lot of walking and lifting. Time outdoors is expected in all different weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, or dust. It may also involve considerable physical exertion, such as regularly lifting, reaching, assuming awkward positions, repetitive motions, and lifting and/or moving heavy objects (up to 50 pounds). Due to the nature of this environment, interns will have some public contact requiring considerable communication skills.

To Apply:Complete online internship application.The OCIC will contact eligible applicants for a phone interview after the application deadline.

Internship Dates and Deadline to Apply:

Fall Term – The deadline to apply is July 15thSpring Term – The deadline to apply is November 15thSummer Term – The deadline to apply is March 15th

For questions about our OCIC internship program, please email nickc@centralfloridazoo.org