Naples Zoo Internship Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide
Naples Zoo offers various internship opportunities for individuals passionate about wildlife and conservation. These internships provide invaluable hands-on experience in a zoological setting. This article will delve into the specific requirements for internships at Naples Zoo, with a focus on the carnivore and mixed mammals departments, providing a comprehensive overview for prospective applicants.
General Internship Requirements
Regardless of the specific department, several requirements are common to most internship positions at Naples Zoo.
Application Process: All applicants must submit a completed application form, resume, and cover letter. This is the standard initial step in demonstrating your interest and qualifications.
Background Checks and Drug Screening: To ensure the safety and well-being of the animals and staff, interns will undergo a drug screen and background check prior to placement. Interns are expected to remain drug-free throughout the term of the internship.
Health Requirements: Applicants selected for the program may be required to submit proof of a negative TB test (within the last year) and proof of a recent tetanus shot (within last five years).
Read also: The Historical University of Naples Federico II
Time Commitment: A consistent time commitment is expected. Generally, interns must be able to work a minimum of three days per week for 10 weeks.
Carnivore Department Internship
For those with a strong desire to work with carnivores in a zoological setting, the carnivore department internship offers a unique opportunity. Interns will be exposed to a variety of carnivores within the zoo's collection.
Responsibilities:
- Assisting in the daily husbandry of all zoo carnivores. This includes cleaning enclosures, preparing food, and providing fresh water.
- Participating in enrichment activities. Enrichment aims to stimulate the animals mentally and physically, promoting their well-being.
- Observing operant conditioning training sessions. This involves using positive reinforcement to train animals for various behaviors, often for medical or husbandry purposes.
- Routine daily record-keeping practices. Accurate records are crucial for monitoring animal health and behavior.
- Observing veterinary procedures when possible. This provides valuable insight into animal healthcare.
- Routine animal observations, reporting any concerns to the keepers on duty. This is a critical aspect of ensuring animal welfare.
- Other tasks as assigned. Interns should be prepared to assist with a variety of tasks as needed.
Safety:
Carnivores are dangerous animals, and working with and around them provides the opportunity for potentially dangerous situations and/or interactions. Zero tolerance will be had for interns who do not follow safety guidelines. Interns will be expected to follow the safety guidelines set forth by the keepers they are assisting.
Physical Requirements:
This internship is a physically demanding experience and will require intermediate levels of strength and flexibility as well as the ability to work for long periods of time on their feet. Candidates must have the ability to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, especially in rain and heat typical of South Florida.
Guest Engagement:
Engagement: informal interactions with Zoo guests on a daily basis. This provides an opportunity to educate the public about the animals and conservation efforts.
Read also: A Legacy of Learning
Mixed Mammals Department Internship
Interns will rotate through all areas within our Mixed Mammals Department, learning from our animal care team and assisting with daily husbandry, enrichment and exhibit maintenance.
Species Exposure:
This department may include the following species: giraffe, zebra, bongo antelope, yellow backed duiker, black crowned cranes, leopard tortoise, sulcata tortoise, red rumped agouti, tapir, and capybara.
Learning Opportunities:
Interns will gain exposure to operant conditioning, record keeping, guest interaction and interpretation, conservation organizations, veterinary procedures, browse identification, animal anatomy and terminology and behavioral observation and data collection.
Physical Requirements:
This internship is a physically demanding experience and will require intermediate levels of strength and flexibility as well as the ability to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions typical of the South Florida climate.
Additional Opportunities at Naples Zoo
Besides internships, Naples Zoo offers other avenues for involvement:
Read also: Your Guide to Nursing Internships
Zoo Engagement Volunteers: Zoo Engagement Volunteers play a vital role in interacting with guests and helping them enjoy their day at Naples Zoo.
Zoo Resource Volunteers: Zoo Resource Volunteers provide ongoing assistance to the many teams that keep the Zoo operating each day.
VolunTeen Program: The Naples Zoo Volunteen Program offers high school and home school students a unique opportunity to develop essential job readiness skills and earn volunteer or service learning hours. Teens will serve 2-4 times a per month in an engaging outdoor environment surrounded by animal and plant species native to habitats across the globe.
Special Events Assistance: Naples Zoo has limited opportunities in spring and fall for individuals and groups to assist with special events like Boo at the Zoo, Spring Safari, and our Zoobilee event in February.
Career Opportunities
Naples Zoo also offers career opportunities. For example, they seek a motivated and team-oriented person to join the carnivore department. This full-time position works with a unique and varied collection including the following species: lion, tiger, striped hyena, honey badger, black bear, coyote, cheetah and Florida panther.
Carnivore Keeper Responsibilities:
Under the general direction of the Carnivore Field Supervisor, this position will be responsible for the daily care, feeding, enrichment and training of animals in the assigned areas. Duties will include but are not limited to maintaining cleanliness of animal habitats, assisting with veterinary procedures, developing and implementing training plans and keeping daily records while following Naples Zoo policies and protocols. This position will also require guest interaction through scheduled keeper talks, Zoo Camp and possible media events. This position will regularly work with other department keepers in a team setting as well as independently and will require effective communication skills as well as the ability to understand carnivore specific behaviors. Keepers are required to work in extreme weather conditions typical to South Florida and have the physical ability to lift or move up to 50 pounds, operate landscaping equipment (mower, string trimmer, etc.) and simple power tools, work on varied uneven terrain, climb ladders, and ride a bicycle.
Qualifications:
Experience with carnivores at an AZA accredited facility preferred. Knowledge of animal husbandry related to carnivores as well as good observational skills of animal behavior is beneficial. An Associates degree in a Zoological science or a related Bachelors degree is required.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Naples Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The ADA requires Naples Zoo to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities.
tags: #naples #zoo #internship #requirements
