Palm Beach Zoo Employment Opportunities
Job Listings
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Internship Opportunities
- Animal Care Internships (Unpaid)
- Interns will work side-by-side with professional animal care staff providing daily husbandry, enrichment, record keeping, exhibit maintenance, and diet preparation for the Zoo's animal collection. Interns will also provide interpretive talks for Zoo visitors, focusing on natural history and conservation education. A successful candidate must commit to a minimum of 240 hours of work over a 15 week period. Candidate must be able to work outdoors in typical Florida climate and be able to lift at least 50 lbs. Negative TB test required.
- Selection preference for internships will be given to undergraduate or graduate-level college students studying in the field of biological science, psychology, or other related disciplines who are looking to pursue a career in zoology. Internships are available throughout the year. The Palm Beach Zoo is currently offering Animal Care Internships in:
- Carnivore Care
- Primate Care
- Avian Care
- Reptile Care
- To Apply: Complete the attached volunteer application. Send completed application with availability as well as a resume and cover letter identifying internship area of interest. Mail: Animal Programs Manager, Palm Beach Zoo, 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach FL 33405, Email: sdampier@palmbeachzoo.org, Fax: (561) 540-1430.
- Education Internships (Unpaid)
- The Palm Beach Zoo's mission is to provide an open-air classroom of living
creatures to foster awareness, appreciation and respect for the natural
world. Education interns assist in meeting this mission, while gaining
valuable hands-on experience. Summer internships run May 25 - August 14,
part-time or full-time.
- Job Description: Gain teaching and animal-handling experience by assisting
with the zoo's summer camp program. Present animal encounters to campers
and to the public. Lead small groups of campers in zoo keeping activities.
Teach science lessons. Assist education staff in developing and evaluating
new curriculum. Assist with daily camp operations. All full-time interns are
required to complete a term project which may include a program and corresponding activity.
- Requirements: Applicants should be college students with at least one year completed, or recent college graduates. Good communication and public speaking skills required. Able to interact well with children, staff,
volunteers and zoo guests. Self-motivated, reliable, up-beat, and able to
work outdoors in hot/humid weather. Applicants must complete an internship
application and provide proof of a negative TB test within the last year and
tetanus shot in the last 5 years. All education interns must pass a drug
screen and background check.
- To Apply: Send resume and cover letter, un-official college transcript, and three letters of recommendation to Palm Beach Zoo, Attn: Education Intern Program, 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33405. No phone calls please.
- Behavioral Training Internship (unpaid)
- The Palm Beach Zoo is currently offering an uncompensated internship opportunity in the area of Behavioral Training.
- Interns will work side-by-side with professional trainers and assist with daily husbandry duties and animal training techniques. Applicants that have experience within a zoological, veterinary, environmental, or rehabilitation organization are preferred. Interns will work side-by-side with trainers in the development of our new bird show, "Wings Over Water" and our current mammal show "Wild Things." This internship experience will provide the opportunity to work very closely with a variety of different bird and mammal species, to develop a deeper knowledge of exotic animal care and behavior, and the ability to gain greater hands-on experience in the zoological field.
- A successful candidate must be able to work outdoors in typical Florida climate and be able to lift at least 50 lbs. A candidate must commit to a minimum of 240 hours of work over a 15 week period. Housing is not provided. TB test required.
- Please send letter of intent, resume, and dates of availability to: 1301 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach FL 33405, fax: 561-540-1430, or sdampier@palmbeachzoo.org, Attention: Assistant Curator of Programs.
- Conservation & Research Internship (UNPAID)
- The Palm Beach Zoo has internship opportunities available for undergraduate and graduate level students that are interested in gaining experience in the field of conservation and scientific research. The qualified candidate will participate in the following: 1) literature searches, data collection, and data entry relevant to ongoing Zoo research projects 2) interaction with guests on conservation education messages 3) completion of an independent research project delineated by the research manager that will require a written report. All candidates must be able to contribute at least 240 hours within a 15 week period.
- Undergraduate Level Qualifications: The successful candidate will have completed at least two full-time semesters of a Bachelor's degree in animal behavior, biology, psychology, zoology, or related field. Some experience in animal behavior, conservation, and/or equivalent coursework is preferred.
- Graduate Level Qualifications: The selected candidate will be currently enrolled in a graduate level program with focus on animal behavior, conservation, biology, psychology, zoology, or related field.
- Please send letter of intent, resume, and dates of availability to 1301 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach FL 33405, fax: 561-540-1430, or sdampier@palmbeachzoo.org, Attn: Assistant Curator of Programs.
- Volunteer Programs Intern (unpaid)
- Responsibilities: Are you a people person? The Volunteer Programs Intern will assist the Volunteer Programs Manager in scheduling and recruiting potential volunteers. The intern will also assist with the planning, co-ordination and implementation of the annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner, special event activities designed to encourage and promote retention of volunteers, and in setting up and facilitating recruitment opportunities.
- Qualifications: Applicant should be working on a BA in Education, Marketing, Human Resources or related field. Applicants should be detail oriented and highly organized. The applicant should feel comfortable talking to and interacting with wide varieties of volunteer staff from differing backgrounds and ages. All interns regardless of placement must present proof of a negative TB test, administered within the past year.
- Schedule: Interns are expected to commit to a regular schedule for at least one semester or minimum of 60 hours. Schedules are arranged on an individual basis in consultation with the intern's immediate supervisor. Benefits: Volunteer t-shirt and name badge provided. Reports to: Volunteer Programs Manager; Director of Education.
- Please send a completed volunteer application (available here), résumé with cover letter, three (3) letters of reference, and unofficial transcript to Volunteer Programs Manager, Palm Beach Zoo, 1301 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33405.
