Browse Intern

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium • Omaha, NE

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is seeking an intern for the Nutrition Department to assist in browse collection and distribution for animals at the Zoo and Wildlife Safari Park. The Nutrition Department at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is comprised of a Nutrition Laboratory, a centralized Animal Commissary, and a Browse Team. Together these areas work to make sure that every animal at the Zoo and Wildlife Safari Park is provided with a nutritionally complete diet that encourages engagement in natural feeding behaviors. The Browse Team is responsible for collecting and distributing browse to meet the specialized dietary and behavioral needs of all the Zoo’s browsing herbivores, as well as preserving adequate browse to supply these animals through the winter months.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must have effective time management skills for working in a fast-paced and flexible work environment.
• Must possess strong communication skills; Communicate frequently and in a professional manner with supervisor and team members.
• Must have the ability to follow detailed instructions.
• Offered candidates are required to pass a pre-employment background check and drug screening.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience working at an AZA institution is preferred, but not required.
• A minimum of one year of coursework in a major field of study to be applied during the internship (e.g. animal science, biology, nutrition, zoology, horticulture, etc.) is preferred.
• Must be motivated to continue expanding knowledge base as it applies animal nutrition.

Responsibilities

• Develop, work on, and present an internship project aligned with the research needs of the Nutrition department.
• Attend weekly professional development sessions.
• Complete learning goals on internship checklist.
• Participate in and complete a mid-point and final evaluation.
• Assist with planting, caring for, and harvesting from approved browse harvesting locations.
• Learn to reliably identify toxic and approved species of browse.
• Assist distributing browse to animal areas.
• Learn about various browse preservation techniques and assist with preserving and storing browse through freezing or ensiling.
• Help maintain records of browse activities and assist with browse-related nutritional studies as-needed.
• Must follow safety guidelines and always demonstrate safe working practices.
• Must work well with others and have the ability to work independently.
• Must be team-oriented and willing to work with other interns, volunteers, and staff members to further not only the goals of the Department but also of the Zoo’s mission statement.
• Must attend shifts on time and as scheduled.
• Interns will interact with the public frequently throughout their internship and are expected to always exhibit professionalism and exceptional customer service.
• Interns may be asked to engage in public speaking opportunities, including but not limited to informal educational presentations for the public.

Benefits

• This position offers no direct animal interaction.
• We will do everything possible to accommodate school requirements for those seeking to earn class credit.
• We do our best to accommodate the schedules of interns with full or part-time job requirements.
• Please note this position does not provide any medical coverage.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree