CURRENT OPEN POSITIONS
There are no positions currently open.

INTERNSHIPS
The Racine Zoological Society has several internship opportunities for interested and qualified students. We are pleased to be able to provide these opportunities for education and experience for tomorrow's workforce.

The Zoo will require a commitment of at least 128 hours of service, with a minimum of eight regularly scheduled hours per week. If your internship is being conducted to meet your program of study's requirements, you will need to provide us with a printed copy of those requirements.

As internships are designed to give experience in an actual employment situation, interns will be required to abide by all employee rules including punctuality, attendance, and uniform code. All positions require that the intern be able to communicate effectively and pleasantly with the public, and interns may be required to do so on a regular basis.

Animal Care Internships
The Racine Zoo is seeking dedicated and enthusiastic interns to work alongside Animal Care Specialists to assist in nurturing the animal collection. Interns are involved in various aspects of animal care, including daily husbandry, diet preparation and delivery, exhibit maintenance, behavioral enrichment preparation, animal observations, operant conditioning, and informal educational interactions with Zoo guests.

Internship candidates must have completed one year of college and be working towards a degree in biology, zoology, animal behavior, or any other related field. Candidates must have excellent communication skills, observation skills, and have the ability to work in a team environment. They must be reliable, trustworthy, and be able to follow oral and/or written instructions. Zoo keeping is a physically demanding profession, and interns are subjected to a variety of physical and environmental challenges. Interns may be required to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Tasks are occasionally strenuous and interns must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds. A current negative TB test must also be provided and a tetanus vaccination is highly recommended. Intern positions are experience based and are therefore unpaid. It is required that an intern dedicate 24 hours per week over the course of three months (schedules may be flexible based on the candidate's availability). They must also complete a project and/or paper that will benefit the Zoo. Summer internships run from May-August and the deadline for applications is March 15. Interns are also accepted in the fall and winter semesters. The deadline for fall applications is September 15 and the deadline for winter applications is December 15. It is advisable to apply as early as possible.

To apply, please send or e-mail a cover letter, resume and list of three references to the Racine Zoo, Attention: Theresa Donarski, 2131 North Main Street, Racine, WI 53402 tdonarski@racinezoo.org

Conservation Education Internships
The Conservation Education Department of the Racine Zoo is dedicated to promoting awareness of conservation issues through engaging, educational, and entertaining Zoo experiences. Racine Zoo Interns are valuable members of our team.

A Conservation Education Intern will assist the Conservation Education Department in fulfilling the educational mission of the Zoo. This person will assist with such tasks as Zoo camps, Zoo Snoozes, performing educational outreach animal encounters both on and off campus, conducting guided tours of the Zoo, and delivering animal chats and amphitheater presentations. Interns will work with a variety of animals (small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and arthropods). Interns are supervised by Conservation Education staff. Internships may be completed for college credit based on the college's guidelines.

Qualifications: Candidates must have completed one year of a college degree program in biology, animal behavior, zoology, education, or other related field. Candidates must also have excellent communication skills, enjoy working with people of all ages, and possess the ability to work in a team environment. They must also be self-motivated, reliable, prompt, and able to work in all weather conditions. A negative TB test must also be provided. Internships are unpaid, last a period of three months, and require 24 hours per week (schedules may be flexible based on a candidate's availability). Interns must also participate in one Zoo Snooze. Interns must participate in two prescheduled training sessions.

Interns are accepted quarterly. It is advisable to apply as early as possible before the start of a quarter.To apply, please send or e-mail a cover letter, resume, and three references to the Racine Zoo, Attention: Melissa Davidson, 200 Goold Street, Racine, WI 53402education@racinezoo.org

Facilities Department Internships
A Zoo Facilities Intern will assist the Facilities Department with the care and maintenance of the Zoo's campus, exhibits, and buildings. The position requires a familiarity with hand and power tools. Maturity and responsibility will be very important in ensuring the safety of the intern, the staff, the animals, and the guests. Currently, these positions are unpaid.

Contact the Administrative Assistant at 262-636-9189 for application form, job description, and department contact or e-mail dwilliams@racinezoo.org

Racine Zoo Animal Care Specialist for a Day Program
The Racine Zoo Animal Care Specialist for a Day Program is designed to give students an inside look into the daily schedule of an Animal Care Specialist (zookeeper) or Zoo educator. Participants must complete the Animal Care Specialist for a Day program as a prerequisite to the Volunteen Program.

Important Information

  • The individual should be 16 or older
  • If the individual is 12-15 years of age, a signed teacher recommendation is required 48 hours before the day of the program
  • The individual should come to the program with questions about the Animal Care Specialist position
  • Level of participation is up to the individual
  • The times of the program need to be flexible as to offer maximum experience for the individual

Options

1) Conservation & Animal Welfare Dept. (general) - 4 hrs. with 2 animal care specialists, $100.00

  • Animal Care Specialists are assigned to the individual
  • The individual may assist in the following activities under the supervision of the animal care specialist:
    • Scrubbing, sweeping, and hosing an enclosure
    • Preparing food for the animals
    • Preparing enrichment (toys) for the animals
    • Watching the veterinarian treat or care for an animal
    • Watch a training session with an animal

2) Conservation & Animal Welfare Dept (specific)-2 hrs. 1 animal care specialist, $75.00

  • The individual selects a specific animal area i.e.- primates, reptiles, cats, giraffes, farm animals, etc.
  • Same activities as above

3) Conservation Education Dept. (general) - 4 hrs., $100.00

  • The individual may assist in the following behind-the-scenes activities and privileges under the supervision of a curator:
    • Assisting with animal or biofact handling during an animal program
    • A behind-the-scenes tour with a Curator
    • An examination of our artifacts

4) Conservation Education Dept. (specific) - 2 hrs, $75.00

  • Includes some of activities above

5) Combo - Conservation & Animal Welfare Dept. - 2 hrs. & Conservation Education Dept. - 2 hrs., $125.00

  • A combination of the descriptions above

Additional Information
In addition to enhancing educational programming, the revenue generated from this program is utilized for advancing professional development programs for the Animal Care Specialists.




© 2008 Racine Zoological Society