Children’s Zoo Temporary Full-Time Intern

The San Francisco Zoological Society (“Society”) is a non-profit institution that manages and raises funds for San Francisco Zoo and Gardens (“Zoo”).  The Society’s mission, supra, is summarized as the 3 c’s: to connect our visitors with wildlife so that they care about nature and ultimately conserve it.  The Society’s leadership team is comprised of a President & Executive Director as well as a professional team of Senior Managers. The Society endeavors to meet or exceed the standards of its industry peers, including those established by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (“AZA”). For over 25 years, the Society has been continuously accredited by the AZA.

The San Francisco Zoo's Intern Program offers a hands-on working experience to individuals with a career interest in a zoological field. The objective of the Zoo's internship program is to provide practical, on-the-job experience; provide exposure to zoo operations and zoo careers; and demonstrate the unique advantages of zoo internships as a supplement to more conventional learning programs.  Full-time zoo employees supervise interns.  Internships are paid an internship salary of $18.07/hour plus medical, dental, & vision benefits, one-week paid vacation, and sick leave per San Francisco’s Sick Leave Ordinance.

The goal of this internship is to learn and successfully perform (under supervision) the duties and responsibilities of a Zoo employee in the Children’s Zoo. Experience will include:

• Assist with the public education programs
• Assist with volunteer programs: recruitment, orientation, and works with scheduling, training, daily supervision.
• Assist keeper staff with animal care husbandry, diet and veterinary care of the large and diverse animal collection within the Children's Zoo
• Completion of special projects as assigned by Curators as well as one project designed by the intern that advances animal wellness in the Children’s Zoo
• Assist staff with animal enrichment and training programs
• Support facility management and administration

Qualifications:

• College level coursework in biology, zoology, ecology, or related area; ability to present information to groups; and career interest working with animals.
• Excellent public speaking skills and be comfortable in front of a large audience, as well as the ability and desire to work with youth volunteers and people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Must be self-motivated, able to take initiative, and follow directions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Qualifications:

• All applicants must be at least 18 years of age. 

Education:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).

Physical Demands/Environment:

• 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 use hands; and talk or hear. 
• The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. 
• The employee is occasionally required to sit, reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance. 
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to tolerate outside weather conditions including inclement weather and must be able tolerate dust, and animal hair/dander.