Facility
LEO Zoological Conservation Center
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
LEO Zoological Conservation Center, is a nonprofit, off-exhibit breeding facility. We are located in Greenwich, CT, just an hour outside of New York City. The facility offers our animals a low impact, stress-free environment and we propagate for accredited zoological institutions. We are closed to the public but allow a limited number of visits seasonally, split between Special Cause Groups and donors.
LEOZCC is looking for dependable, hardworking, college students and recent graduates interested in gaining valuable experience working with rare and endangered animals and working one-on-one with seasoned professionals. We welcome students from educational institutions for internships projects for credit, recognizing that what one learns in the classroom is enhanced by hands on experience of caring for animals and helping to explore animal husbandry and its relationship to conservation. This ten-week program is unpaid. For more information and videos of previous interns: http://leozoo.org/leo/internships/
Shadowing Internship Program Summary:
LEOZCC offers the chance to supplement classroom studies and get your hands dirty! Our staff will put their efforts into sharing their knowledge and providing a breadth of experience that will help students realize their individual goals. Here are some of the elements of our shadowing internship experience:
• Enclosure care, including upkeep inside and outside of animal enclosures
• Participation in providing for and monitoring health, growth, diet, behavior, reproduction, safety and comfort of our animals
• Behavior observation, including monitoring and documenting specific animal behavior
• Enrichment activities, which help keep captive animal’s minds active
• Exposure to veterinary and tech work
• Kitchen duties, including preparation of species-specific daily diets and cleaning the kitchen area
• Participation in a USDA Animal Care Clinic
Our Shadowing Internship Program will also help students who have successfully completed the internship by opening doors for future animal work. After completing the program, our Wild Partners (an organization our center partners with that works directly with an endangered species in their natural habitat) are willing to accept students to continue their development in their area of interest in the wild.
Offered Sessions:
Spring Session (March 2 – May 17) – application deadline: February 13, 2015
Summer Session (June 1 – August 16) – application deadline: April 10, 2015
Fall Session (September 9 – November 25) – application deadline: August 14, 2015
* Session are 10 week periods. Please indicate which session you are applying for, unless available for any time period
Education and Pre-requisites
Minimum Qualifications:
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must have 3 months previous experience in animal care and training and/or completed collegiate level courses in related science.
• Must have good vision and hearing.
• Must be willing to listen and follow both written and verbal instructions.
• Must be willing and able to work at least 40 hours a week, both indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions.
• Must be available to work weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Must possess the mental and physical capacities necessary to perform primary responsibilities.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
Compensation and benefits
This is an unpaid position.
Application instructions
Applicants with experience in zoology, animal behavior, psychology, biology, veterinary studies, and education, or with environmental or rehabilitation organizations are preferred. We are looking for self-motivated and upbeat candidates who will interact well with current staff, volunteers, and zoo guests. The internship is unpaid and housing is not available at this time.
Please complete the online Intern Application (http://goo.gl/forms/OBfPAxawz3) and send a cover letter specifying area of interest with preferred session, resume, and proof of college enrollment (if needed) to info@leozoo.org
Academic Credit
The LEO Zoological Conservation Center is able to award academic credit through universities. Students are encouraged to fill out the required proper paperwork directly with their adviser and/or department.