Animal Care Intern (Summer)

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves with integrity through our Core Actions: Inspire Awe, Safety, Care, and Connect, and by embracing our Core Values: Welcoming, Curious, United, Courageous, and Transformative in all that we do.

The Animal Care Intern is responsible for learning how to provide safe and exceptional habitats, nutrition, training, behavior, and welfare for animal species at the zoo.  All Animal Care Interns will be expected to regularly interact with guests of varying ages, as well as other staff and volunteers. Applicants will be asked to rank these areas in order of preference later in the application:

• Primates: includes great apes, Old World monkeys, New World monkeys, prosimians, some birds, and other small mammal species. Previous animal experience preferred.
• Hoofstock: includes a diverse collection of antelope, equid, giraffe, avian, and camelid species. Previous large animal experience is required.
• Birds: includes a diverse bird collection of ratites, water birds, cranes, raptors, hornbills, a large variety of soft-billed species, and an avian propagation center. Previous animal experience preferred.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Introduction to animal care through on-the-job training to develop husbandry skills

• Prepare and feed approved diets to animals.
• Clean yards and enclosures and maintain exhibits.
• Observe animal training.
• Record keeping.
• Monitor physical and behavioral aspects of the animals under assigned care.
• Interact with guests, in both formal and informal settings.
• Follow all DZCA safety protocols.

Guided professional and personal growth

• Meet regularly with mentors to assess progress on the provided learning plan.
• Regularly receive feedback and implement it.
• Become an active team member, and gain confidence working with others.
• Interact with fellow interns during intern program experiences such as workshops, presentations, and projects.

Technical/Professional Requirements & Qualifications

• Completion or in pursuit of an associate or bachelor's degree in a science-related field.

Schedule & Work Environment

• 40 hours per week, not to exceed a total of 640 hours total over the summer.
• Schedule: Work on weekends and holidays may be required.
• Work Location: On campus.

Position Conditions

• Ability to pass a physical examination, background check, and pre-employment drug and alcohol screen.
• Clear driving record.
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs.
• Negative TB Test.

Compensation

The hourly rate for this position is $19.00.

Benefits

This is a seasonal position and as such is not eligible for benefits at this time; however sick time is accrued.

Application Process & Timelines

Resumes / Completed applications must be submitted by March 14, 2025. Review of applications will begin immediately. DZCA reserves the right to close the position before this date.

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status or any other characteristic protected by law.

www.denverzoo.org