Title: Hospital Animal Care Internship Reports to: Hospital Animal Care Specialist(s) and Animal Health Manager Overview: The Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is currently seeking candidates for its Hospital Animal Care Internship program. This internship is suited for those interested in pursuing careers in zoo-keeping, animal husbandry, exotic medicine and/or the general animal care field. This internship will provide valuable experience in an animal health setting with opportunities in assisting with veterinary procedures, wildlife and learning animal husbandry for a wide variety of animal species. Interns will assist animal health keeper staff with basic animal husbandry duties. Special projects may be arranged or designed to meet qualifications for school credit. Emphasis for interns is on general zoo keeping skills in a hospital setting, enrichment, helping with medical procedures and working as a member of a team. Projects may include literature searches, facility organization/cleaning or researching husbandry requirements. The Animal Health Department consists of many positions including veterinarian, veterinary nurse, animal keeper, administration, animal nutrition center and wildlife service’s technician. Interns will have the opportunity to shadow or be rotated through all of these areas on an “as needed” basis. 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 depend 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 Hospital Animal Care staff in meetings 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.
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. Interns assist with the collection of browse on a regular basis, and that this is a physically strenuous task that requires heavy lifting, walking long distances, and working outside in a variety of weather conditions
- 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.
We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment regulations EOE / DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
|
Your email job alert is now active!