Part Time Animal Care Intern

Decatur Park District; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 23,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Decatur Park District's Scovill Zoo is seeking an Animal Care Intern to assist with the daily care of a variety of animals, training, enrichment, and maintenance of housing and exhibits. The role supports veterinary and curatorial staff, with emphasis on accurate observation and record keeping.

The position is 40 hours per week for approximately nine months, with evenings, weekend, and holiday scheduling required.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working with domestic and/or non-domestic animals.

Responsibilities

• Performs daily care of exotic and domestic animals, including feeding, cleaning, observation of behavior, environmental enrichment, training, and maintaining appropriate environmental conditions such as temperature.
• Working with the Curator and Keepers in charge of certain areas on animal management plans, including diets, breeding, veterinary care, off-exhibit maintenance, and exhibition.
• Requires careful attention to cleaning and disinfecting enclosures; observation and daily record keeping of the animals' health and feeding and reproductive behavior; periodic catching, moving, and unloading of animals; careful implementation of the directions of the veterinarian; and planning and implementation of animal training.
• Requires written and verbal communication with supervisors, peers, and maintenance personnel to transfer information essential to the care of the animals.
• Communication must be complete, concise, and based on careful observation of the animals and their needs.

Skills

Calculate feed quantities

Weigh and measure animals

Basic algebra

Record keeping

Observation of behavior

Job description

Decatur Park District

Job Description

Job Title: Animal Care Intern

Department: Scovill Zoo

Reports To: Assistant Zoo Director

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Wage: $15.00/hour

POSITION SUMMARY

This is a job that requires manual labor combined with specialized knowledge to provide for the care of a variety of animals. Other tasks relate to serving visitors and assisting with the general operation of the zoo.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Performs daily care of exotic and domestic animals, including feeding, cleaning, observation of behavior, environmental enrichment, training, and maintaining appropriate environmental conditions such as temperature.
• Working with the Curator and Keepers in charge of certain areas on animal management plans, including diets, breeding, veterinary care, off-exhibit maintenance, and exhibition.
• Requires careful attention to cleaning and disinfecting enclosures; observation and daily record keeping of the animals' health and feeding and reproductive behavior; periodic catching, moving, and unloading of animals; careful implementation of the directions of the veterinarian; and planning and implementation of animal training.
• Requires written and verbal communication with supervisors, peers, and maintenance personnel to transfer information essential to the care of the animals.
• Communication must be complete, concise, and based on careful observation of the animals and their needs.

MARGINAL JOB DUTIES

• Current knowledge and up-to-date information must be effectively transferred between the various people involved in ensuring the animals' welfare.
• Gives presentations to a variety of audiences. Communicates with visitors in a friendly and helpful manner.
• Requires close cooperation of all staff involved in animal care, as moving of animals, animal training, and other tasks often requires more than one person to work together.
• Basic "house-keeping" chores of feed procurement, cleaning of facilities, and sharing of work space also require that tasks be shared and/or rotated between various staff members.
• Must respect the authority of Area Keepers by following the diets and procedures set by them & the Curator.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• Previous experience working with domestic and/or non-domestic animals.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as feed quantities based on the weight of an animal.
• Ability to weigh and measure animals.
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra.
• Ability to collect information and reach reasonable conclusions.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; and use hands. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• The employee must be able to tolerate dust from hay, straw, wood shavings, limestone, and bird and mammal dander.

HOURS

• This position is a paid animal care keeper position consisting of 40 hours per week for approximately 9 months with specific work hours designated by the Curator.
• Evening, weekend and holiday scheduling required.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

Sitting – occasionally Walking – frequently Strength – medium (60 lbs.)

Climbing – occasionally Balancing – frequently Stooping – frequently

Kneeling – frequently Crouching – occasionally Crawling – seldom

Reaching – frequently Handling – frequently Finger Movement – frequently

Feeling - frequently

• General work area is outdoors and employee is exposed to extreme weather conditions
• Exposure to noise distractions from employees, animals, or equipment operation in adjacent work areas
• Occasional exposure to cleaning materials (e.g., bleach)

Decatur Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.