Animal and Habitat Internship (Unpaid) - Summer 2018

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Responsible To: Animal and Habitat Assistant Supervisors

Task Description: Assist the Animal and Habitat team with the care and maintenance for a variety of fish, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates as we introduce our newest exhibit. Educate visitors with bio-facts and showcase our animal ambassadors to give them a hands on experience.

Responsibilities:

 Routine care of our holding aquariums and habitats for a collection of animals.

 Food preparation and cleaning of animal habitats using proper husbandry techniques.

 Maintenance of aquarium physical and biological components.

 Assist staff with various tasks associated with keeping non-venomous snakes, frogs, turtles, lizards, salamanders, bugs, including Madagascar hissing cockroaches and a variety of native fish to Pennsylvania.

 Record daily animal observations and tasks performed.

 Interact with the public presenting informal animal information.

 Complete a project that will benefit either our visitors or staff (decided by the intern in their area of interest that is approved by the supervisors).

 Capable of working in a team environment but has the ability to work independently.

Skills Required:

 Able to follow explicit directions.

 Reliable and punctual.

 Able to prioritize and multi-task.

 Detail oriented.

 Willingness to learn new information and tasks associated with it.

 Able to interact with visitors and staff in a positive manner while being sensitive to animal needs.

 Able to work on a research project independently with materials provided including the internet.

 Utilize computer skills with programs like Microsoft Word and Excel.

 Able to climb stairs and ladders; can bend, kneel and lift up to 50lbs.

 Comfortable handling live animals.

Skills to be Learned:

 Intern will understand and put into practice skills associated with being an animal keeper.

 Intern will gain professional development working within a Non-Profit environment.

 Intern will interact with thousands of visitors from different cultural and economic backgrounds.

Parameters:

 Will not have to troubleshoot problems independently; intern will consult with Aquarium and Animal Habitat staff.

 Will not administer first aid.

Training Methods:

 Training follows a progression from observation to guided participation to working independently under the supervision of Aquarium and Animal Habitat staff.

Time Frame:

 120 hours

 Minimum of 8 hours weekly

To Apply: Send a letter of intent, resume, and a letter of reference from either an academic advisor or professor, to:

Internship Program

Carnegie Science Center

One Allegheny Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15212

- OR -

VolunteerPrograms@CarnegieScienceCenter.Org