Life Support Internship

Title: Life Support Internship

Reports to: Life Support Operator(s) and Maintenance Manager

Overview:

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is currently seeking enthusiastic candidates for its Life Support Internship Program. The Life Support team is responsible for maintaining the water filtration systems which are critical to the care of many of the animals throughout the zoo.

Interns will have the opportunity to contribute to the creative team and utilize their current skills while developing new skills under the supervision of the Life Support department. During the internship, there is a potential for developing and leading projects under the advisement of the Life Support team. It is also a great opportunity to work on and improve your current resume.

Responsibilities:

Assisting with exhibit maintenance and repairs as needed.

• Participating in the daily maintenance of the life support systems including backwashes, filter cleaning, etc.
• Working with a wide variety of tools and equipment to solve minor life support issues.
• Liaison with other departments including animal programs and facilities to maintain the highest level of care for the animals.
• Preparing ideas and concepts from listening to input from others in regard to exhibits design and maintenance.
• Performing related duties as assigned by the Life Support team.
• Please note that this is not meant to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities and that the requirements of the internship are subject to change as required.
  
  
  

Qualifications:

• Ability to work closely with others and autonomously depending on the current project.
• Pursuing or recently acquired a degree in a science-related field (i.e. Zoology, Marine Biology, Engineering, etc.) with a focus on animal care.
• Experience with/desire to learn about: PVC pipes and glue, power tools, pumps, sand filters, water chemistry, and/or other applications.
  
  
  

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to work in all weather conditions including heat, humidity, rain, cold, and dust.

• Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, crawl, and kneel for long periods of time.
• Must be able to work with tools and chemicals using appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment)
• Ability to lift 50 pounds without difficulty.
• Ability to traverse zoo grounds and operate a motorized cart.
  
  
  

Additional Qualifications:

Education and Experience

• Enrollment in or graduation from an associate or bachelor’s degree program in a related field.
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong work ethic: dependable, timely, responsive, productive, organized
• Effective verbal and written communication skills including professional and respectful interpersonal skills
• Excellent safety practices including safe operation of hand tools, vehicles, and equipment
• Basic computer operations, including Microsoft Office, and willingness/ability to use technology
• Ability to learn new tasks and follow written and verbal instructions
• Effective time management including prioritization
• Sound judgment and critical thinking skills
• Ability to remain focused despite interruptions and manage stress to perform job effectively
• An inclusive mindset with strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Acceptance and application of constructive feedback
• Maintains confidentiality where required
• Able to work individually and in a team
  
  
  

Inclusion, diversity, and equity as a value

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens embraces diversity in a meaningful way and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of a person's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, sex, age, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, weight, or height.

EOE / DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE