Organization: Birmingham Zoo
(AZA Member)
Location: Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Job or Internship: Internship
College Internship Program
Overview
The College Intern Program is designed to give college students and recent graduates, who are 18 years of age or older, the opportunity to have an in-depth, hands-on experience working in the zoo profession. Internships are available in a variety of areas that include animal husbandry, education, marketing, volunteer management and retail sales.
Please visit the Birmingham Zoo's website at www.birminghamzoo.com/support-the-zoo/volunteer/internships/ for more information and to apply.
Responsibilities
The Birmingham Zoo’s internship program offers interns the opportunity to learn within a variety of disciplines, and the chance to obtain a unique and meaningful career experience. The main responsibility of an intern in an animal area is to assist the Birmingham Zoo keepers with their daily routines and animal husbandry tasks.
Internship Length
Starting and ending dates and your weekly schedule are to be determined by the Curator, Zoological Manager, educational institution (if involved), and the intern for the assigned area. Individual (daily) shifts must be at least 8 hours in length, not including lunchtime. For example, a 24 hour week would consist of 3 days and each day would be 8 hours in length (not including a break to eat).
Non-Paid Internship
This is a non-paid position. The Birmingham Zoo, Inc. does not provide an hourly wage or stipend with this internship. The intern is responsible for providing their own room and board and other essentials.
College Credit
The Birmingham Zoo is unable to award any college credits. The institution that the student attends will decide the credit, if any, and any additional academic requirements that must be completed during the student’s internship. The Birmingham Zoo is willing to work with the different higher learning institutions in regards to completing scholastic requirements during the student’s internship.
Application and Acceptance Process
•Fill out an online application through the Birmingham Zoo's website.
•After completing the online application, you will be notified via email or phone call as to whether or not you have been selected to move forward with an interview. Only a select few applicants will receive an interview.
•Complete an orientation (including passing a background check, drug test, and turning in all required paperwork). Instructions on how to schedule your orientation will be emailed to you if you are selected for an internship following your interview.