Organization: Chicago Zoological Society-Brookfield Zoo
(AZA Member)
Location: Brookfield, Illinois, United States
Job or Internship: Internship
Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, is currently accepting applications for our College Experiential Learning Opportunities (CELO) program.
Please visit the following site for specific details on applying and contact interns@czs.org with any other questions you may have: (http://www.czs.org/czs/Educational-Programs/Internships.aspx)
Chicago Zoological Society is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer - M/F/V/D
Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply and to identify themselves.
Title Zookeeper Internship (multiple areas)
Learning Objectives
This position contributes to the success of the Chicago Zoological Society by training individuals on job skills and practices relevant to keeper work at
Brookfield Zoo, focusing on sound science and animal welfare/husbandry. Individuals will also have practice with guest encounters, helping to improve relationships between keepers and guests and increasing guest knowledge and empathy about animals and conservation during Zoo visits.
Responsibilities
• Animal Care: Daily husbandry, exhibit maintenance, supervised animal
training, animal observations, diet preparation
• Guest Interactions: Formal and informal interactions with Zoo guests
through animal encounters, chats, tours etc
• Project/Journal: All interns are required to complete either an observation
based research project, experiential journal or other deliverable as
determined by internship area
• Research: Become familiar with Species Survival Plans (SSP), Population
Management Plans (PMP) and other zoo population management strategies
as well as natural history, current research and conservation studies related
to animals in area of internship
• Other related duties as assigned.
Requirements
• Minimum 1 year of college with 2.5/4.0 overall gpa.
• Spanish fluency a plus, but not required.
• Proof of current Tetanus and negative TB test required prior to start date.
• Must submit to complete criminal background check and prove clear on all
measures.
• Required levels of animal care experience vary between animal area
placements.
Additional Notes
Interns will be expected and required to interact with a diverse team of animal programs staff, interns and volunteers. Interns will be expected to follow
direction of full time staff for their personal safety and safety/care of all animals in the area. Interns will be expected to work irregular schedules
including weekends and holidays if applicable during placement term. This internship is a physically demanding experience and will require intermediate
levels of strength and flexibility as well as the ability to work outdoors and in all types of weather conditions. Uniforms will be provided to all interns upon start of internship. Interns will be evaluated regularly by mentors on performance and knowledge.
CZS reserves the right to dismiss an individual from the keeper internship at any point during the term.
All Zookeeper Internships are Unpaid