Cheetah Team Animal
Keeper Internship
This internship
provides the opportunity for the selectee to gain experience in the zoo keeping
field by participating in daily animal keeper activities including animal
husbandry, nutrition, enrichment and training, and visitor education. The SCBI
Cheetah Team is seeking an applicant for consideration to serve as an intern
for the 2017 fall/winter session.
Duties and
responsibilities:
- Learn alongside professional animal care staff basic animal husbandry of carnivores including cleaning enclosures, preparing food and enrichment activities, and assisting with environmental enhancements..
- Learn formal and informal interpretive educational programs for guests.
- Learn how to develop and implement animal enrichment programs.
- Learn and follow animal/keeper safety guidelines, operations, and polices.
- Learn USDA and AZA guidelines, NZP directives, procedures and protocols and other related literature.
- Have the opportunity to develop an independent training, enrichment, or research project with guidance from cheetah team staff.
- Present a short summary to SCBI Department of Animal Programs staff.
Qualifications:
- Good physical condition; able to lift and carry a minimum of 50 lbs.
- Willingness to be available outside normal business hours including weekends and holidays.
- Capable of participating outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to be an effective team member, often times with minimal supervision.
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
- Ability to remain calm and think rationally under pressure.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to be flexible when changes occur.
- Intern must have appropriate footwear. Appropriate outerwear is required for all the weather conditions: rain, snow, wind, hail, etc.
- Experience and Qualities Preferred:
- Previous internships within the animal care field.
- Interest in learning about carnivore management with aspirations to advance in the wildlife or zoo field.
- Experience with exotic carnivores or wildlife animal care.
- Experience in a zoo, wildlife conservation, or similar setting.
Stipend:
This is an unpaid
internship. Special consideration will be given to applicants who receive
college credit for internship. Intern is responsible for obtaining necessary
approvals from their university. Intern will be responsible for all
transportation costs and personal health insurance.
Housing:
Intern will be
provided on-site government housing (dormitory, non-smoking, no pets and
additional codes of conduct apply) at the Front Royal, Virginia, campus.
To apply and learn
more click HERE
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant        |
