Chester Zoo - Animal Husbandry Internships

11 MONTH WORK PLACEMENT/ INTERNSHIP (ANIMAL HUSBANDRY)

Chester Zoo is one of the leading zoological collections in Europe with an international reputation for achieving its mission in conservation breeding programmes, research and education.

We are looking for highly committed, motivated individuals to join our animal husbandry departments on an 11 month work experience / internship placement within this unique scientific/conservation environment.

These placements are demanding but highly rewarding voluntary positions and many of our past interns go on to careers in zoos.

The Internships:

 Maximum eleven month’s duration, commencing in September 2009 and finishing August 2010.

 Interns will be assigned to one of our animal keeping sections specialising in birds or mammals or reptiles, amphibian and invertebrates or fish and aquatic invertebrates.

 In addition to animal husbandry duties, interns will be required to assist with the production and distribution of animal feeds (including management of invertebrate colonies, forage production, browse provision etc). There may also be opportunities to assist zoo staff with collection of behavioural and clinical data and involvement in environmental enrichment programmes.

 There may be the opportunity to gather data for your own course-specific projects (agreed on an individual basis with our Research Officer).

 Interns will receive on the job training in the husbandry of the species with which they work including basics of nutrition, zoo management, breeding programmes, in-situ conservation programmes, record keeping, enrichment etc.

 This is a full time and physically demanding position. Hours of work are from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily, working ten days in fourteen, including alternate weekends, bank holidays etc as rostered. As we are a registered Charity, funded entirely by visitor fees and donations, we regret we are unable to offer any wages or salary for the placement. We will provide luncheon vouchers for the days that you attend work. No other benefits are offered.

What we are looking for in our interns:

 You must currently be studying for or have completed an animal science related course, at HND or Degree level or level 4 NVQ.

 You must have a genuine interest in all aspects of animal husbandry and be empathetic to the mission of the Zoo.

 You must be able to work as an individual and as part of a team, with a reliable and conscientious attitude and good communication skills.

 Have the ability to financially support yourself for the entire length of the internship.

Interested?

For an application form please ring the recruitment line on 01244 389477. Interviews will be held for these positions. Applicants from outside the UK would be expected to fund their travel and relocation costs if successful.

Closing date: 15th May 2009.

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