Mammal Area 3 Intern

Title: Mammal Area 3 Intern

Reports to: Mammal Care Specialist(s) and Assistant Curator

Overview:

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens seeks interns who are ready to learn and support our mission of connecting communities with wildlife and wild places. We embrace an inclusive culture of collaboration to make progress in five Strategic Plan pillars: Conservation, Animal and Plant Wellbeing, Relevancy, Financial Sustainability, and being an Employer of Choice.

This internship is an introduction to being an Animal Care Specialist. While it cannot offer complete training on every aspect of wildlife husbandry in human care, it provides a taste of what it is like to work in this field and what it takes to be successful.

Mammal Area 3 Interns collaborate closely with Mammal Care Specialists to learn professional animal care skills for wildlife in human care. The team is responsible for Primate Forest and Bear areas. Resident animal species include bonobo, gorilla, mandrill, Angolan colobus, Guereza colobus, black-and-white ruffed lemur, blue-eyed black lemur, Coquerel’s sifaka, crowned lemur, mongoose lemur, ring-tailed lemur, black bear, and kinkajou.

Qualifications:

• Enrollment in or graduation from an associate or bachelor’s degree program in any animal science or related field
• Prior animal experience is beneficial.
• Ability to work 20 - 40 hours weekly for twelve consecutive weeks.
• Term start dates dependent upon orientation date and intern availability.
• Schedule is negotiable and flexible around education and employment commitments, but typical shifts are 7am - 4pm or 7am – 1pm.
• Proof of negative TB test and drug screen, and tetanus vaccination,
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate motor vehicles safely.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds, crawl, climb, jump, rake, stoop, sweep, bend, lift, reach and lift overhead, kneel, and carry objects for short distance without difficulty.
• Ability to work in adverse weather conditions including rain, heat, and cold.
• Ability to traverse Zoo grounds on foot and stand/walk for extended periods of time.
• Visual and auditory acuity appropriate for animal care and general safety practices
• Housing is the responsibility of the intern.
  
  

Responsibilities:

• Ensuring safety is always the top priority.
• Support Mammal Care Specialists in meeting and exceeding modern and progressive animal care regulations and standards.
• Contribute to a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
• Enhance guest experiences.
• Support revenue-generating plans and functions.
• Comply with policies and procedures.
  
  
  

Opportunities to Learn:

• Accurate observation and reporting of animal behavior, health, and wellbeing.
• Preparation and distribution of animal food, water, and enrichment.
• Maintaining safe and sanitary animal habitats: cleaning, washing windows, propping, security checks, pool maintenance, etc.
• The importance of browse for wildlife in human care and assisting the Browse Program Technician with routine browse harvesting runs.
• Species natural history and individual animal characteristics.
• Learn about animal training and enrichment programs and why they are important.
• Supply acquisition and waste transport: hay bales, grain bags, animal diets, animal waste.
• Observe and/or assist with guest interactions like specialist talks, and behind-the-scenes experiences.
• Observe and/or assist animal medical procedures, behavior monitoring and approved research projects.
  
  
  

This is not an exhaustive list, and opportunities/responsibilities are subject to change.

Skills Required:

• Ability to prioritize human and animal safety during all job functions.
• An inclusive mindset with strong collaboration and teamwork skills
• Strong work ethic: dependable, timely, responsive, productive, organized.
• Effective communication including respectful interpersonal skills.
• Keen observation skills and attention to detail
• Safe operation of hand tools, vehicles, and other equipment
• Ability to work individually and in a team setting.
• Basic computer literacy, including Microsoft Office
• Ability and openness to learn new tasks, skills, and technologies.
• Effective time management including prioritization.
• Sound judgment and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to remain focused and manage stress to perform the job effectively.
• Acceptance and application of constructive feedback
• Self-motivation and ambition
  
  
  

Upon evaluation, an internship may be extended if that opportunity is of interest. Current interns are also eligible to apply for internal paid positions.

Physical Requirements:

• Proof of negative TB test and tetanus vaccination
• Ability to lift fifty pounds without difficulty.
• Ability to work in adverse weather conditions including rain, heat, and cold.
• Ability to traverse zoo grounds on foot and operate motorized vehicles safely.
• Visual and auditory acuity appropriate for animal care and general safety practices.
• Ability to remain on feet for extended periods of time.
• Ability to crawl, climb, jump, rake, stoop, sweep, bend, lift, reach and lift overhead, kneel, and carry objects for short distance without difficulty.
  
  
  

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