Herpetology Internship

Title: Herpetology Internship

Reports to: Senior Herpetology Care Specialist(s) and Curator of Herps, Birds, and Others

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.

Excluding venomous taxa, the Herpetology Intern will learn all aspects of the day-to-day husbandry of the zoo’s reptile and amphibian collection and assist the herpetology division with daily routines and various other tasks. These species include, but are not limited to, easter indigos, caiman lizards, giant leaf-tailed geckos, Philippine pit vipers, greater siren, mantellas, dart progs, and striped newts. Duties include diet preparation and feeding, exhibit maintenance, data collection and record keeping, and monitoring animal health and behavior.

Qualifications:

• Enrollment in or graduation from an associate or bachelor’s degree program in any animal science or related field.
• Prior animal care or rehabilitation 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.
• Proof of negative TB test and tetanus vaccination.
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate motor vehicles safely.
• Ability to lift fifty 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 Herpetology Care Specialist(s) 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.
  
  
  

Internship Duties:

• Compliance with policies and protocols that prioritize human and animal safety
• Professional animal care standards and regulations
• Habitat maintenance: cleaning, washing windows, propping, security checks, pool maintenance
• Diet and enrichment preparation and distribution
• Behavioral observations for routine, medical, or research related monitoring
• Record keeping on behavior, health, reproduction, food waste, etc.
• Animal medical procedures or translocations
• Species natural history and individual animal characteristics
• Guest interactions
  
  
  

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.

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
  
  
  

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