Elephant Intern

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

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is seeking an intern in the Elephant Department. Under the direction of the Elephant Care Staff, along with the Elephant Supervisor and the Large Mammal Curator, elephant interns assist animal care staff in most aspects of the daily husbandry requirements for the elephants. This internship is designed to provide an opportunity to form a knowledge base as it pertains to managing elephants in an AZA accredited facility in the following areas: general knowledge, daily husbandry, nutrition, data collection and record keeping, environmental enrichment and animal wellness, behavioral observations, operant conditioning, conservation Issues, and guest interactions.

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 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.
Must have the ability to follow detailed instructions.
Offered candidates are required to pass a pre-employment background check and drug screening.
A negative TB test is also required.

Nice To Haves

Training and/or experience, through previous internships or employment, that demonstrates the knowledge and skills required to work with elephants or other large animals, is preferred.
Interns must be currently enrolled in, or have recently graduated from, a college or university.
A minimum of one year of coursework in a major field of study to be applied during the internship (e.g. biology, zoology, animal behavior, etc.) is preferred.
Knowledge of elephant natural history, biology, captive husbandry, and conservation issues preferred.
Must be motivated to continue expanding knowledge base as it applies to elephants.

Responsibilities

Develop, work on, and present an internship project aligned with the research needs of animal care staff in the Elephant Department.
Attend weekly professional development sessions.
Complete learning goals on internship checklist.
Participate in and complete a mid-point and final evaluation.
Assist in diet preparation and kitchen clean-up.
Clean exhibit spaces and holding areas, including 3.5 acres of outdoor habitats and a 25,000 sq ft barn.
Identification and collection of browse.
Assist with resource management.
Preparation and distribution enrichment items.
Behavioral observations.
Daily cleaning and organization of tools and enrichment items.
Read through department protocols and sign upon completion, acknowledging that the information contained within (safety guidelines, daily operations, elephant profiles, etc.) is understood.
Observe animal care staff as they demonstrate proper animal interaction techniques and operant conditioning training techniques when applicable.
Always be accompanied by animal care staff when in an unoccupied elephant space and will not be left alone in elephant yards or holding areas.
Other duties may be assigned.
Follow safety guidelines and always demonstrate safe working practices.
Immediately voice any safety concern.
Interact with the public frequently throughout their internship and are expected to always exhibit professionalism and exceptional customer service.
May be asked to engage in public speaking opportunities, including but not limited to informal educational presentations for the public.
Guest concerns, questions or complaints should be promptly addressed to the Lead Keeper, Supervisor or Curator.