Ambassador Animals Intern (Fall 2024)

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Please follow instructions and apply online at: http://bit.ly/3IxjUxH

Internships at Zoo Atlanta are designed to provide training and professional work experience that will help you achieve your academic and professional goals. Intern positions are unpaid and open to applicants enrolled in a degree-seeking program or who have recently graduated within two years from a college program in a field relevant to the internship being applied for.

Fall 2024 Term Schedule:
Applications due: Wednesday, June 19
Determination letters sent by Friday, July 26
​​​​​​​Term: August 27 - December 20

Zoo Atlanta's Ambassador Animals Department plays an integral role in the Zoo's mission by raising awareness of conservation issues and providing engaging, educational and entertaining experiences as we strive to inspire people to environmental action.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: What are Ambassador Animals? We are the most diverse department in the Zoo, caring for every animal taxa with the exception of fish. Ambassador Animals are animals that have close contact with Zoo guests on a regular basis. These include our show birds, animals used for educational programming both on and off grounds and our contact yard with goats, sheep and Kune kune pigs. Although Ambassador Animals keepers and interns do not conduct classroom programs, keepers do conduct informal animal encounters on zoo grounds, host two different live animal shows on grounds and work in the contact yard.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day we have up to four shows per day, five to six days per week. Much of the internship during this time will be spent ensuring keepers are able to present a high-quality show to our guests by being an active participant in behind-the-scenes show preparation. This is also busy season for our contact yard, so interns will be able to gain valuable guest interaction experience as well as daily hands-on animal experience.

The spring is primarily about prepping for the busy season. This is focused around show design and rehearsal, training novel behaviors, and aesthetic work ensuring that all areas are in tip top shape for the summer crowds. This is usually the second round of large field trip numbers in the contact yard before kids are out for the summer.

RESPONSIBILITIES: This voluntary program provides the intern with professional experience in the daily care of the Ambassador Animals collection. This collection includes snakes, lizards, invertebrates, small mammals, goats, sheep, pigs and a variety of birds. The main role of interns is to be educated in the roles and responsibilities of being an Ambassador Animals keeper. This education is provided by participating in many keeper duties which may include cleaning animal enclosures and barn stalls to mopping area floors to making and giving behavioral based enrichment. Opportunities for participating in animal training sessions and animal contact is not guaranteed to any intern and is determined based on the individual intern’s performance during the early part of their internship. By demonstrating a strong work ethic, interns may have the chance to participate in animal encounters and behind the scenes show and training support.

OBJECTIVES:

• Learn the roles and responsibilities of Ambassador Animals keepers.
• Understand the basic health and welfare needs of the animals in the collection.
• When possible, meet zoo staff in other departments.
• Gain knowledge in the behind-the-scenes workings of Zoo Atlanta.
• Gain invaluable experience and knowledge with a diverse animal collection that will assist you in making choices regarding a future career in this field. This includes numerous opportunities for informal guest education opportunities.