Elmwood Park Zoo Conservation Education Internship- Fall Session (Aug 12Th - December 15Th)

The Elmwood Park Zoo

The mission of the Elmwood Park Zoo is to foster an appreciation for wildlife and the environment that will inspire active participation in conservation.

Elmwood Park Zoo Conservation Education Internship- Fall Session (Aug 12th

• December 15th)

Applications for Conservation Education are due by July 31st.

This internship provides introductory exotic animal husbandry experience and is open to applicants exploring the animal career field, especially conservation education.

Providing everyone the opportunity to connect with, understand and be amazed by wildlife is paramount to preserving our natural world. Our Conservation Education Internship is key to providing these opportunities for EPZ guests.

CE Interns will learn how to inspire guests through delivering animal interactions and experiences at the zoo. They will gain basic animal care experience in an AZA accredited facility, knowledge of exotic animals and conservation as well as valuable public engagement experience.

As part of the internship, interns will facilitate our daily giraffe feedings with guests, perform basic care and husbandry for and manage our barn contact yard experience, assist the walk through exhibit "Harmony Hideaway", and work directly with the Education staff to deliver the guest experience throughout the zoo. Each shift will begin with basic animal care for our barn contact yard animal collection, including our goats, sheep, mini donkeys and chickens. In addition to guest engagement and managing the interactive experiences, Conservation Education interns will observe informal education utilizing live animals in the zoo, and have the opportunity to develop educational activities for guests.

Interns will be working side-by-side with experienced educators and keepers as well as staff and volunteers from various departments in the Zoo and should be comfortable working in a team environment. All applicants should be willing to approach the internship as a valuable opportunity to learn, gain experience, and create a network to advance their career.

This internship requires standing and interacting with the public for long hours. Animal care tasks are physically taxing, and require being able to lift at least 50 lbs, and a great deal of bending and lifting.

Shifts occur in all weather conditions, regardless of temperature or rain, and interns must prepare to work outside in all conditions. No previous animal care experience is required for this position.

Experience Required

If you are interested in pursuing a career in conservation, conservation education, zookeeping, informal education, or other animal or science-based career the Conservation Education Internship is an opportunity to get beginner animal care experience, real-world experience engaging with the public about wildlife, as well as managing interactive animal experiences which is crucial to most, if not all, careers relating to conservation and animal science.

Further Comments

The CE internship requires 1 shift per week minimum, but 2 days is recommended. Candidates looking to complete 2 or more shifts per week will have an advantage for acceptance.

CE shifts occur on set days of the week, ie: all Tuesdays. The hours for this position are not flexible, and there are no virtual opportunities. Interns must be present for their shift in the zoo from 7:15 AM to 5 PM. Interns must be present for that whole session length. 2 to 3 pre-planned absences can be negotiated per session.

Perks

• The opportunity to learn in a AZA accredited facility that meets the highest standards in zoo practices

• Beginner Animal Care Experience

• Provided with hands-on experience, experiential learning and mentoring by our talented education team

• Internships at Elmwood Park Zoo are developed to provide a rich learning experience and are non-remunerative

• Elmwood Park Zoo Internships may be applied to receive college credit in accordance to your school's policy

Salary

0$ Unpaid

How to Apply

To apply, visit the Elmwood Park Zoo Internships page and fill out the application of your choice.

https://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/employment/internships/

You can be considered for multiple internships by ranking your preferences in the application for ZK, AMB and CE internships, only one total application is needed per applicant.

If you will be moving to the area for the internship or need your decision sooner than August 1st for some specific reason, complete an application and also send an email to sharrington@elmwoodparkzoo.org. Explain your need for a faster decision, and we will do our best to work with you.

The Elmwood Park Zoo

1661 Harding Blvd

Norristown, PA 19401

Phone: 610-277-3825

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@ElmwoodParkZoo

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