Summer Intern: Commissary and Night Keeper
Organization: Utah’s Hogle Zoo (AZA Member)
Unpaid Internship: Commissary and Night Keeper Internship (1 position available)
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
POSITION SUMMARY:
Utah’s Hogle Zoo’s commissary and night keeper internship is designed to allow an individual to learn about the wide variety of foods that our animals eat on a daily basis as well as the preparation that goes into making those diets. The commissary part of the internship offers a hands-on opportunity to create those diets and learn just how specialized some of the diets really are. In the night keeper portion of the internship, you will shadow the night keepers as they go around to different areas of the zoo to give animals access to holding areas, feeding animals, and administering medications when needed. Focus areas will include; diet preparation, commissary cleaning and organization, and shadowing night keepers.
REPORTS TO: Animal Care Supervisor of Night Program and Primary Night Keeper
DATES: Summer May 24- August 16, 2021 (start and end date may be flexible based on school schedule)
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Interns will assist in diet preparation for species throughout the zoo. In addition, interns will the processes involved in nightly care of animals across a variety of animal care areas. This internship is designed to meet the following objectives:
· Intern will learn how specialized animal diets are and how diet adjustments are communicated
from the veterinarians/nutritionists down to the individual areas and commissary team.
· Intern will learn about all the different moving parts of a zoo’s commissary department.
· Intern will learn about how zoos manage their collections once the guests have left for the day.
TASKS MAY INCLUDE:
· Following a variety of animal diet sheets to prepare regular and special diets for consumption by animals.
· Washing and cutting fruits, vegetables, dry goods, and frozen and raw meats according to the diet sheets prescribed.
· Washing and sanitizing food receptacles as directed and maintaining commissary cleanliness to meet USDA standards.
· Moving pallets of grain or other food items using a pallet jack.
· Doing inventory checks for any or all supply items in the commissary.
· Assisting with hay deliveries.
· Browse processing.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Be currently enrolled in a college or university, or have recently graduated. Have a minimum of one year of course work in a major field of study to be applied during the internship (e.g. Biology, Zoology, Environmental Science, etc.). Experience working with animals preferred. Applicant should have a strong career interest in animal husbandry and informal education in a zoological setting. Qualified applicants must be able to work in a team environment with people of all ages. They should be able to lift 50 pounds and work outdoors in the typical Utah climate. Interns must be able to stand for at least 3 hours. Interns need to have a recent TB test, and tetanus shot. The applicant needs to demonstrate maturity, self-motivation, and an ability to follow direction. The ability to gain and hold a driver’s license is required. First Aid/CPR certified preferred.
WORK SCHEDULE:
· 12-week period
· Flexible up to 16 hours a week
· Days worked can be discussed at interview to fit with your schedule
COMPENSATION: The Commissary and Night Keeper Internship is unpaid. Professional development opportunities will be available. Possible college credit is available for those able to receive it through their college/university. No housing provided.
TO APPLY: Applications are due by February 14, 2021.
Please visit https://www.hoglezoo.org/jobs_volunteers/internships/ to fill out an application. In addition to completing the application send a resume, cover letter, and informal transcript to volunteeroffice@hoglezoo.org .
Applicants will be contacted for interviews at the end of February, please do not expect to hear from us before then.
Please e-mail volunteeroffice@hoglezoo.org with any questions.
Utah’s Hogle Zoo is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive internship program representative of a variety of backgrounds, age groups, perspectives, experiences, abilities, and strengths.