Intern: Behavioral Programs
Utah’s Hogle Zoo is currently accepting applications for an internship with Behavior and Enrichment
(1 position available).
Utah’s Hogle Zoo’s Behavioral internship program is designed for college students interested in pursuing a career in animal behavior, enrichment, behavioral research or other zoological professions to provide an individual with a practical learning experience while gaining valuable knowledge related to his/her career goals. This internship will focus on the support, development and implementation of the Zoo’s behavioral husbandry program. Primary duties will include providing assistance to and under the direction of the Curator of Behavioral Programs who facilitates all enrichment and training applications Zoo wide. The intern will assist with various behavioral enrichment projects throughout the Zoo including data entry, enrichment construction, behavioral observation/analysis, delivering public presentations, development of new ideas, and overall assistance in behavioral program procedures. Our internships offer a hands-on opportunity to work in a behavioral program in a zoological setting and require a minimum commitment of twelve weeks. The internship is unpaid.
REPORTS TO: Curator of Behavioral Programs & Ambassador Animals
DATES: Summer May 26- August 15, 2020 (start and end date may be flexible based on school schedule)
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Behavioral Programs internship is designed to provide participants with practical learning experience and knowledge in the field of behavioral enrichment and training. In return, the intern makes a significant contribution to the behavioral enrichment program at Utah’s Hogle Zoo. Intern duties may include the following (may vary based on skill level and departmental needs):
- Data entry and computer based applications.
- Assist with behavior-related education and interpretation.
- Organize and distribute enrichment items.
- Help organize supplies for enrichment projects, help to monitor these projects.
- Attend, video record, review and/or transfer various training, enrichment or behavioral observation sessions.
- Attend and transcribe notes for training and enrichment related meetings around the zoo.
- Research training, enrichment and behavioral issues and needs.
- Help develop and organize the documentation needed to support training and enrichment programs in various departments, including: training plans, enrichment requests, training session documents, observation forms, etc.
- Help with development and implementation of new training and enrichment program components, including enrichment calendars, behavioral observations, and enrichment and training evaluation.
- Complete a written and oral evaluation of the internship.
- Keep a daily log and summary report of activities and experiences.
- Complete an independent project.
QUALIFICATIONS: Be currently enrolled in a college or university, or have recently graduated. Have a minimum of one year of course work in a major field of study to be applied during the internship (e.g. Biology, Zoology, Psychology, Environmental Science, etc.) and should have a basic knowledge of operant conditioning and/or of animal behavior. Interns need to have a recent TB test, and tetanus shot. Because of the nature of working close to a variety of animals, both alongside the management and keeper staff, the applicant needs to demonstrate maturity, self-motivation, and an ability to follow direction. Applicant must be able to work 24 hours per week for 12 weeks. A basic knowledge and understanding of computer word processing and PowerPoint is helpful. The ability to gain and hold a driver’s license is required. First Aid/CPR certified preferred. They must also pass a background check and a drug test if selected.
WORK SCHEDULE: 24 hours a week for a minimum of 12 weeks. Interns are expected to work on holidays and weekends.
COMPENSATION: The Behavioral Programs Internship is unpaid. Professional development opportunities will be available. Possible college credit is available for those able to receive it through their college/university. No housing provided.
TO APPLY: Applications are due by February 15, 2020. Please visit https://www.hoglezoo.org/jobs_volunteers/internships/ to fill out an application. Applicants will be contacted for interviews at the end of February, please do not expect to hear from us before then.
Please e-mail volunteeroffice@hoglezoo.org with any questions.