Externs support our Animal Care teams during the busy season, assisting with a variety of tasks in both interactive exhibits and browse collection. Most positions focus on monitoring guest and animal interactions in our seasonal attractions, including the petting zoo and Aussie Aviary (budgerigars) at Franklin Park Zoo. Externs spend approximately 90% of their time monitoring and engaging with guests in these interactive exhibits and 10% assisting keepers with animal husbandry tasks.
- Strong candidates will provide exceptional customer service while overseeing walkthrough exhibits and assist with diet preparation, cleaning, observing and communicating animal behaviors, and occasionally supporting zookeepers with additional tasks.
- Externs assigned to browse collection assist our Horticulture and Animal Care teams with daily responsibilities, including collecting, storing, feeding, and freezing approved tree and plant species.
- These externs must have a valid driver’s license and be comfortable traveling offsite in a company vehicle to meet collection goals.
- All externs must be willing to spend extended periods on their feet.
- These positions run from April/May through October (six months or less) and require work hours 9 AM – 6 PM (exhibits) or 7 AM – 3:30 PM (browse), with two days off per week.
- Externs must be available to work on weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.
- Additionally, externs should not have outside commitments or plan for additional time-off beyond their scheduled days off.
YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Stand in an assigned area for long periods, interacting with guests in a friendly way and monitoring guest/animal interactions (exhibit externs).
- Care for the animals in the walkthrough exhibits by preparing and feeding their diets, cleaning all appropriate areas, including washing dishes, picking up animal waste and handling trash (exhibit externs).
- Identify, cut, process (freeze/store) and distribute edible plant material to our animal collection (browse externs).
- Perform all duties necessary to prepare and maintain exhibits including raking, sweeping, and cleaning.
- Work safely in close proximity to animals of a variety of taxa and assist zookeepers in assigned duties, including tasks such as assisting with shifting, food preparation and feeding.
- Observe animal behavior and share information with keepers for record-keeping.
- Ensure compliance with USDA, Animal Plant, and Health Inspectional Services guidelines.
Experience Required
REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS
- High School diploma or GED.
- TB tested negative within the last 6 months and fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office products, particularly Word, Outlook, Excel and Teams.
- Must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver's license with a safe driving history and be comfortable driving offsite to collect browse.
- Must be physically able to work on their feet for long periods and lift over 50lbs.
PREFERENCES
Preferred:
- Education experience engaging with guests in an animal setting.
Preferred:
- Willingness to see opportunities for growth and learning in any setting
Further Comments
- WHO YOU ARE
- Friendly and Welcoming:
- The job requires great customer service to balance welcoming guests while informing them of guidelines, answering questions, and managing all interactions in a courteous and positive way.
Excellent communicator:
- Candidates will need to communicate well with guests, asking and answering questions.
- The position requires oral and written communication, asking for and passing updates or observations to the rest of the team.
Excellent time management:
- Externs need to be punctual and manage their time to stay within schedule, completing tasks and duties in a timely manner.
- All must be able to work independently after being trained.
Reliable and Thorough:
- Externs should pride themselves in creating a fun and safe place for both animals and guests.
- The position maintains high standards of cleanliness and operational excellence in our walkthrough exhibits and browse collection.
Salary
- $15.00/Hour
