Animal Care Internship: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium - Asian Forest Sanctuary

Parks Tacoma•Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, WA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

This Animal Care internship is designed to provide instruction in habitat maintenance, nutrition and diets, environmental enrichment, public presentation/interpretation, species natural history, training, and husbandry. The internship will take place in the Asian Forest Sanctuary and offers a unique opportunity for interns to work alongside zookeepers and gain valuable on-the-job training. Interns will work under the guidance of experienced Staff Biologists to gain experience in daily animal care, including cleaning and maintenance of exhibits and holding areas, animal observation and record-keeping, nutrition and diet preparation, environmental enrichment implementation and analysis, and animal training principles. Interns will also participate in public presentations, sharing animal stories and natural history with guests, and will be expected to design, budget, and implement a small project. A strong emphasis is placed on learning and consistently demonstrating safe work practices, especially when working in areas with dangerous animals.

Requirements

Must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent certification.
Demonstrated interest in pursuing a career towards the care and protection of wildlife.
Paid or volunteer experience working with animals (e.g., zoological institutions, wildlife rehabilitation centers, veterinary clinics, laboratories, or other related facilities).
Ability to commit to 40 hours per week for a minimum of 12 weeks.
Capable of lifting and carrying heavy objects or animals weighing up to 50 pounds.
Capable of pushing, climbing, walking, kneeling, and crouching to work with and feed animals.
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate specialized equipment and tools.

Responsibilities

Cleaning and general maintenance of exhibits and holding areas
Animal Observation and Record-keeping
Nutrition and diets, including diet preparation and appropriate vitamin supplementation
Environmental enrichment implementation and analysis
Understanding and practicing the principles of animal training (reinforcement, operant conditioning, benefits of training)
Public Presentation: Sharing to guests the stories and natural history of the animals in our care
Design, budget, and implement a small project
Learning and consistently demonstrating safe work practices, including maintaining situational awareness while working in a rotational area with dangerous animals