Internships

Internships at Tanganyika Wildlife Park are an excellent way to gain experience in various animal fields while helping a conservation-minded organization. Interns will be utilized in a variety of departments at Tanganyika. Read below to learn more about our internship opportunities.

Keeper Internship

Tanganyika Wildlife Park is seeking dedicated and highly self-motivated individuals to fill the position of Keeper Intern during the 2012 Season. Keeper Interns will assist Keeper staff in a variety of ways, detailed below. This internship program is perfect for current students or recent graduates looking to gain experience working with animals. At this time, the Keeper Intern position is unpaid.

Time Committment:

• Keeper Interns are desired for either 5-week terms (June 4th - July 6th OR July 9th - August 10th) or 10-week terms (June 4th - August 10th).
• Preference will be given to 10-week applicants.
• The number of hours required per week will vary, but Interns should expect to work at least 30 hours per week, including weekends and some holidays.
• Availability to work in the morning is required, though afternoons are available as well.

General Requirements:

• Prospective Interns must be at least 18 years of age before the start of their internship.
• Preference will be given to college students working towards a degree or those that have a degree in zoo science, wildlife biology, zoology, or other related field.
• Excellent public speaking and customer service skills are required.
• Interns must be able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Interns should be able to stand, sit, or walk for up to 8 hours a day (much of which will be spent outdoors).
• Interns should be able to bend, stoop, and lift 50 to 75 pounds when necessary.

Duties May Include:

• Maintaining and cleaning outside animal yards.
• Interacting with the public through various formal and informal encounters.
• Assisting with animal rides.
• Educating the public by facilitating Animal Ambassador encounters.
• Cleaning animal enclosures.
• Creating and distributing animal enrichment.

To Apply: Submit your resume and cover letter to the attention of Stephanie Jeter, Curator or apply online.

Education Internship

Tanganyika Wildlife Park’s Education Department is seeking highly self-motivated individuals to fill the position of Education Intern during the 2012 Season. Education Interns will assist Education Department staff in a variety of ways, detailed below. This Internship program is perfect for current students (or recent graduates) in multiple programs of study such as Education, Zoology, Environmental Science, Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, Zoo Science, or a similarly related field. At this time, the Education Intern position is unpaid.

Time Commitment:

• Specific dates are negotiable, but Interns must be available for at least 6 weeks.
• The number of hours required per week will vary, but Interns should expect to work at least 20 hours per week, including weekends and some holidays.

General Requirements:

• Prospective Interns must be at least 18 years of age before they begin interning at Tanganyika.
• CPR and/or First Aid certification is desirable, but not required.
• Excellent public speaking and customer service skills are required.
• Interns must be able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Interns should be able to stand, sit, or walk for up to 8 hours per day.
• Interns should be able to bend, stoop, and lift at least 25 pounds when necessary.

Duties May Include:

• Presenting Guided Tours to school groups, scout troops, and other community groups.
• Presenting onsite education programs to school, scout, and community groups.
• With additional training, handle a variety of small animals and facilitate encounters between animals and the public during education programs or other encounters.
• Participating in public encounters such as “Touch and Talk” and “Wonderspot” stations.
• Accompanying Education Department Staff to offsite programs and other educational functions as needed.
• Performing administrative duties (answering phone calls, booking education programs and birthday parties, fielding requests for information, etc) and aiding in curriculum development as needed.
• Working closely with volunteers during programs and other education activities.
• Assist with preparation for special events as needed.
• Occasionally supervising volunteers, both during education activities and at interactive exhibits.

To apply: Submit your resume (including three references) and cover letter to the attention of Erinn Stiles, Education Curator, or apply online.