Southwick's Zoo Internship: Requirements and Opportunities
Southwick's Zoo offers a variety of internship opportunities for individuals passionate about wildlife conservation, animal care, and environmental education. These internships provide comprehensive training and practical experience in various aspects of zoo operations. The Southwick's Zoo internship aims to provide participants with comprehensive training and practical experience in various aspects of zoo operations. Interns work with the zoo’s professional staff, gaining insights into animal care, exhibit maintenance, and public education.
General Requirements
Before delving into specific internship roles, it's essential to understand the overarching requirements that apply to most Southwick's Zoo internships.
Availability
Applicants must be available to work during the zoo's normal operating season, which runs from April through October. This includes weekdays, weekends, and holidays, unless otherwise specified by the particular internship.
Enrollment Status
Applicants must be currently enrolled in college or recent college graduates.
Time Commitment
Most summer internships generally require a commitment of 300 hours, typically spread from mid-May through August. Animal Care interns are usually required to work at least 3 days each week, including at least one weekend day, with each day being approximately 8 hours long. Wild Adventure Program interns have different start/end dates and work schedules than Animal Care interns.
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Vacation Time
All requests for vacation time must be submitted at the start of the internship. For summer interns, the deadline to request vacation time is typically around June 9th.
Compensation
It's important to note that Southwick's Zoo internships are unpaid and are completed for college credit only.
Internship Opportunities
Southwick's Zoo offers internships in several departments, each with its own focus and requirements. Here's an overview of some of the available opportunities:
Animal Care and Husbandry
Interns assist zookeepers in daily tasks such as feeding, cleaning, and monitoring the health of animals. The Education and Reptile Department internships offer the chance to learn proper animal husbandry, handling, and training techniques for ambassadors housed between the EARTH Discovery Center, the Reptile and Insect Building, and various animal exhibits located throughout the zoo. In this internship, you will work with bird, mammal, amphibian, invertebrate, and reptile species. Interns will be trained to perform daily husbandry of all Education and Reptile Department species, including cleaning, feeding, diet preparation, and enrichment building. Additionally, interns will learn handling techniques to be paired with presentation skills to deliver high-quality educational programming to both on-site and off-site guests.
Bird Department
Interns in the Bird Department will play a crucial support role in the zoo’s educational free-flight bird show. Interns will learn to apply science-based positive reinforcement training to maintain the flow of both husbandry practices and show behaviors. These skills will be developed by providing an exceptional level of care to our show and exhibit birds through a deep understanding of operant condition and its function, relationship building, general husbandry practices, and enrichment preparation. Assist with veterinary procedures and consultations. Complete and present a staff-approved project for EARTH Awareness Day.
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Education and Outreach
Interns participate in educational programs and activities designed to engage and inform the public about wildlife conservation.
Research and Conservation
Southwick’s Zoo is involved in various conservation projects and research initiatives. Interns may have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing studies, data collection, and habitat restoration efforts.
Veterinary Support
For those interested in veterinary medicine, the internship offers exposure to the zoo’s veterinary care practices.
Wild Adventure Summer Program
Interns in the Wild Adventure Summer Program help guide and oversee students through their daily adventures in EARTH’s Wild Adventure Program. Summer Program Interns work with children in grades K through 11 and assist with daily program tasks and activities. Summer Program interns must be able to work 3 days a week, between Mondays and Fridays, from mid-June through mid-August. Please note that this is an education position, which utilizes the animals at Southwick’s Zoo as an educational vehicle. Availability: Please note that this internship begins in mid-June, however Summer Program interns are still required to attend orientation in May. Must be available to work at least 3 days each week Monday - Friday.
Seasonal Opportunities
While summer internships are the most popular, Southwick's Zoo also offers internships during the fall and winter. These internships typically focus more on caring for animals during the off-season and assisting with ZooMobiles. They involve less visitor interaction since the zoo closes for the season after October and remains closed until early April. Summer Internships go from May-August; Fall internships go from August-November.
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EARTH Awareness Day
EARTH Awareness Day is an annual event at the zoo that takes place on the first Saturday of August. The purpose of the event is to give visitors a fun way to learn about conservation and environmental issues. In addition to local organizations and vendors that will be located throughout the zoo, interns will be presenting their EARTH Awareness Day project. Working in some groups, interns will collaborate on a conservation topic and develop and interactive learning activity to present to the public on EARTH Awareness Day. Complete and present a staff-approved project for EARTH Awareness Day.
Additional Seasonal Positions
Besides internships, Southwick's Zoo also hires seasonal team members for various roles during its operating season. These roles can be a great way to gain experience and potentially lead to future internship opportunities.
Team Members
Team Members in this seasonal position may work part time or full time hours in a variety of locations in the zoo including the entrance, attractions, and retail locations. This position requires regularly standing and walking.
Parking Attendants
Parking attendants assist guests with parking their vehicles in a safe and organized manner. Job responsibilities include directing vehicles (including school buses) to park in the appropriate areas, directing traffic as guests cross the street, maintaining a safe environment for both drivers and pedestrians, keeping parking lots clean and free of litter, and assisting in other areas of the zoo as needed. This position would require regularly standing and walking.
Ride Operators
Ride Operators are responsible for operating the mechanical amusement rides within the zoo. They must ensure a safe environment for zoo visitors while providing excellent customer service. Operators board and secure guests, operate rides, enforce zoo safety rules and regulations, and perform additional tasks as required by management. This position requires regularly standing and walking.
Safety and Security Officers
Safety and Security Officers work part time or full-time hours in this seasonal position.
Food & Beverage Team
Food & Beverage Team members work in various venues throughout the park. Position would require regularly standing and walking.
Fall Festival Team
Come join the Zoo Crew this fall on their next Wild Adventure as we get ready for The Great Jack O’ Lantern Journey! There are many opportunities to work during the festival, that include flexible hours for nights and weekends. The festival starts Thursday, September 28th, and is open in the evenings Thursday through Sunday every week until the end of October. Festival team members can help to carve and prep pumpkins on Tuesdays and Wednesdays after school and into the early evenings. Festival team members can also work during the festival Thursday through Sunday as an Event Staff team member or working in one of our concession or retail stands. Must be of legal age to work. Prior experience working with children preferred.
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