This internship provides introductory exotic animal husbandry experience and is open to applicants exploring the animal career field, especially conservation education.
Providing everyone the opportunity to connect with, understand and be amazed by wildlife is paramount to preserving our natural world. Our Conservation Education Internship is key to providing these opportunities for EPZ guests. CE Interns will learn how to inspire guests through delivering animal interactions and experiences at the zoo. They will gain basic animal care experience in an AZA accredited facility, knowledge of exotic animals and conservation as well as valuable public engagement experience.
As part of the internship, interns will facilitate our daily giraffe feedings with guests, perform basic care and husbandry for and manage our barn contact yard experience, assist the walk through exhibit “Harmony Hideaway”, and work directly with the Education staff to deliver the guest experience throughout the zoo. Each shift will begin with basic animal care for our barn contact yard animal collection, including our goats, sheep, mini donkeys and chickens. In addition to guest engagement and managing the interactive experiences, Conservation Education interns will observe informal education utilizing live animals in the zoo, and have the opportunity to develop educational activities for guests.
Interns will be working side-by-side with experienced educators and keepers 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.
This internship requires standing and interacting with the public for long hours. Animal care tasks are physically taxing, and require being able to lift at least 50 lbs, and a great deal of bending and lifting. Shifts occur in all weather conditions, regardless of temperature or rain, and interns must prepare to work outside in all conditions. No previous animal care experience is required for this position.
Location(s)
- Elmwood Park Zoo, Norristown, Pennsylvania
Schedule
- Fall: August – December
- Spring: January – May
- Summer: May – August
Cost/Compensation
Eligibility Requirements
- Current college students or recent college graduates preferably with a conservation education, biology or animal science related major
- Previous animal experience is not required, but preferred
- The ability to work as part of a team and good communication skills are crucial
- Must be able to work outdoors, do physical work on your feet for more than 8 hours, lifting up to 50 pounds and able to perform activities such as raking or shoveling
- Must have complete PA Child Abuse Clearance and PA Criminal Background check
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must be able to work all assigned shifts. Intern shifts occur every day regardless of holiday except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Day, New Years Eve & day
Deadline
- Fall: August
- Spring: December
- Summer: April
Application or Entry Requirements
- Completed online application
- Resume
- Must be able to complete a video interview and attend an in person orientation prior to the start of the internship
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
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Elmwood Park Zoo was established in 1924 when a local farmer transferred 16 acres and a small menagerie to the Borough of Norristown, Pennsylvania. Today, the zoo is owned and operated by the Norristown Zoological Society, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster an appreciation for wildlife and the environment that will inspire active participation in conservation. Under the Society’s careful management, Elmwood Park Zoo has attained the elite status as one of only 230 institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The mission of the Elmwood Park Zoo is to foster an appreciation for wildlife and the environment that will inspire active participation in conservation.
