Zoo Animal Care Intern: Hands-On Care & Enrichment

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'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.