Animal Care Internship

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center • Anchorage, AK

19h • Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Care Intern assists the year-round Animal Care team with husbandry tasks and the year-round Education team with animal encounters and daily programs as needed. The internship is designed for college students interested in working with wildlife and entry-level animal care professionals seeking additional experience. The intern works the days and hours assigned by the Animal Curator, for 40 hours and five days per week, with a maximum of eight hours per day. The internship lasts up to 20 weeks, with a minimum duration of 16 weeks available for the right candidate.

The role involves animal husbandry and care, facilitating encounters and educational programming, interpreting for guests, and assisting with orphaned animal care as needed. Work takes place outdoors in changing and sometimes extreme weather and includes physically demanding tasks and extensive walking on uneven terrain. The position requires a highly variable schedule, including weekends, early mornings, and nights.

On-site, dormitory-style housing is available to seasonal team members with a refundable deposit. Housing includes shared bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, living room, and laundry facilities, with Wi-Fi. Staff living on-site who have a valid driver’s license and safe driving record may occasionally access an AWCC vehicle for group grocery and supply runs. Uniform items are provided; employees are responsible for additional outdoor and personal clothing and gear. Employees receive free AWCC admission for friends and family and a discount at the Be Wild Gift Shop.

Requirements

• Ability to work in a team environment to help achieve AWCC’s goals and objectives.
• Professional, positive, and respectful attitude and strong work ethic.
• Attention to detail and time-management skills.
• Ability to compromise, listen, learn, understand, and follow instructions.
• Comfort working around animals in human care.
• Ability to work outdoors in drastically changing weather, including extreme wind, temperatures, pouring rain, and winter conditions.
• Ability to work long hours on one’s feet and walk long distances over uneven terrain.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including cleaning and moving up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to work directly with the public and diverse audiences, providing information and assistance as needed.
• Ability to work a highly variable schedule as needed, including all weekends, early mornings, and nights.
• Current driver’s license.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.
• Must have received or be willing to receive a tetanus vaccination by the date of hire; proof of vaccination is required.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred internship length is 16–20 weeks, starting in May and ending in mid-September.
• Some college or graduate coursework in a related field, such as Education, Interpretation, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Studies, Natural Resources, Zoological Sciences, Ecology, or Animal Science.
• Application demonstrates how the opportunity would be a career-building opportunity.
• Application demonstrates knowledge of AWCC programs.
• Experience with Alaska’s wildlife and environment.
• Rabies vaccination may lead to more animal care opportunities, depending on the animals in care during the internship.
• Fluency in multiple languages.
• First Aid and CPR certification.
• The position may qualify for academic credit through the University of Alaska system and several other universities; applicants interested in earning credit should inquire in their application packet.

Responsibilities

• Assist keepers with husbandry tasks, including diet preparation, browse collection, habitat cleaning, feeding, watering, enrichment, and dishes.
• Facilitate animal encounters with porcupines, Sitka black-tailed deer, reindeer, moose, and bears.
• Provide frontline interpretation, support positive guest interactions, and manage guest behaviors and needs.
• Lead daily programs, talks, and tours with the Education team as needed.
• Assist with orphaned animal care as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• On-site housing is available to seasonal team members with a refundable deposit.
• Occasional access to an AWCC vehicle for group grocery and supply runs may be available to eligible staff living on-site.
• Uniform items, including a jacket, rain jacket, mid-layer, and shirts, are provided.
• Free AWCC admission for friends and family.
• Discount in the Be Wild Gift Shop.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed