Fall Session Ambassador Care Applications are due no later than July 31st.

This internship will provide interns with a valuable hands-on husbandry and handling experience for a number of animals from the zoo’s varied Education Ambassador Animal Collection including but not limited to : Gopher Tortoise, Skunk, Blue Tongued Skink, Opossum, Eastern Screech Owls, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, Bearded Dragon, Porcupine, Ball Python, Chinchillas, Corn Snake, Rose-Haired Tarantula, African Bullfrogs, Three Banded Armadillo, Eastern Box turtles etc.

Please note the AMB internship provides no opportunity to work hands-on training with our large birds of prey.

Ambassador Care interns will work directly alongside our dedicated and experienced Educators in order to gain experience in all aspects of education ambassador animal care and management in an AZA-accredited zoological organization.

These duties may include, but are not limited to : daily animal husbandry, diet and nutrition, regular cleaning and maintenance of animal areas and exhibits, animal enrichment, and guest education interactions.

AMB interns may be provided opportunities to observe or assist with ambassador animal training programs.

In addition to hands-on experience with animals, Ambassador Care Interns will receive valuable public speaking and engagement experience that is crucial to most animal job opportunities.

Through bringing education animals out to guests and assisting with interactive animal experiences in the zoo like our barn contact yard and giraffe feeding, Ambassador Care Interns will learn how to present animals to the public as well as how to engage audiences in order to promote empathy and conservation goals.

In addition, interns may have the opportunity to gain experience in the following areas as available : animal behavior projects, positive reinforcement training programs, animal welfare / wellness assessments, and record keeping.

Interns will be working side-by-side with experienced education keepers, educators, as well as staff and volunteers from various departments in the Zoo and should be comfortable working in a team environment.

All applicants should be willing to approach the internship as a valuable opportunity to learn, gain experience, and create a network to advance their career.

Experience Required

Individuals with advanced professional domestic animal care experience (including volunteering and internships) or some previous exotic animal care experience who are exploring the conservation and animal career field should apply.

Further Comments

For the fall session, AMB interns are required to complete a minimum of two 8 hr shifts per week. They can request to complete up to a maximum of 4 shifts per week.

Shift start and end times are not flexible. Shifts occur from 8 AM to 5 : 00 PM every day of the year. Interns must be present for the entire length of the internship.

2 to 3 absences per session can be negotiated in the fall. There is a mandatory onsite orientation the weekend before the internship begins which interns must plan to attend.

Please note, no EPZ internships offer the opportunity to work exclusively with veterinary staff.

Perks

The opportunity to learn in a AZA accredited facility that meets the highest standards in zoo practices -Provided with hands-on experience, experiential learning and mentoring by our talented education team -Internships at Elmwood Park Zoo are developed to provide a rich learning experience and are non-remunerative -Elmwood Park Zoo Internships may be applied to receive college credit in accordance to your school’s policy

Salary

0$ Unpaid

Last updated : 2024-06-13