leopard Employment Opportunities at the Zoo

Job Listings

Zookeeper - Contact Yard (Full-time)
The Palm Beach Zoo is currently seeking to hire a full-time Zookeeper-Contact Yard. The successful candidate will be involved in the care of a collection of domestic farm animals which reside in the zoo’s contact yard. Additional care of small canids and a prairie dog colony may be required.
Responsibilities include:
  1. perform husbandry responsibilities for collection
  2. monitor guests activities during animal contact periods to ensure the safety of guests and collection
  3. daily involvement in the enrichment and operant conditioning programs
  4. assist in capture, restraint, and veterinary procedures
  5. assist in the supervision and mentoring of interns and volunteers
  6. involvement in exhibit landscaping and minor exhibit maintenance
  7. daily record keeping
The requirements for this position include good communication skills, good observation skills, strong work ethic, ability to lift up to 50 pounds, ability to work outdoors in a typical Florida climate, and ability to work periodically on weekends and holidays. Previous experience working with farm animals beneficial. Starting salary $8.50 - 9.50 hourly with excellent benefits, including medical and dental coverage.
Please send letter of intent, resume, and list of references by August 1, 2008 to Assistant Curator – Training, Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park, 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach, Florida 33405 or e-mail: pbzoo@lycos.com or fax to 561-540-1430.
Zookeeper - Contact Yard (Part-time)
The Palm Beach Zoo is currently seeking to hire a part-time Zookeeper-Contact Yard. The successful candidate will be involved in the care of a collection of domestic farm animals which reside in the zoo’s contact yard.
Responsibilities include:
  1. perform husbandry for collection
  2. monitor guests’ activities during animal contact periods to ensure safety of guests and collection
  3. daily involvement in the enrichment and operant conditioning programs
  4. assist in capture, restraint, and veterinary procedures
  5. assist in the supervision and mentoring of interns and volunteers
  6. involvement in the exhibit landscaping and minor exhibit maintenance
  7. daily record keeping
The requirements for this position include good communication skills, good observation skills, strong work ethic, ability to lift up to 50 pounds, ability to work outdoors in a typical Florida climate, and ability to work holidays. Previous experience working with farm animals is beneficial. Shift: 8am - 5pm, Saturdays and Sundays. Starting pay $8 - $8.50 hourly. Drug and TB test required.
Please submit resume or application by August 1, 2008 to: Zoological Manager - Training, Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park, 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33405, email to: pbzoo@lycos.com or fax: 561-540-1430.

 

Internship Opportunities

Animal Diet & Nutrition Intern (unpaid)
The Palm Beach Zoo is seeking an intern to work side-by-side with Animal Department Commissary staff assisting with animal diet formulation, commissary organization, food related quality control, diet preparation, and nutritional program development.
The internship requires a minimum of 150 hours of work over a 12 week period. Applicant must be mature, reliable, trustworthy, and be able to follow written and/or verbal instructions. Computer experience including Microsoft Word and Excel is required. Some components of internship require the ability to stand for extended periods of time and to lift at least fifty pounds. Selection preference will be given to undergraduate or graduate-level college students who are looking to pursue a career in zoology or animal nutrition.
Please send letter of intent, availability, résumé, and list of references to Assistant Curator of Programs, Palm Beach Zoo, 1301 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33405 or fax to 561-540-1430 or e-mail to pbzoo@lycos.com.
Behavioral Training Internship (unpaid)
The Palm Beach Zoo is currently offering an uncompensated internship opportunity in the area of Behavioral Training.
Interns will work side-by-side with professional trainers and assist with daily husbandry duties and animal training techniques. Applicants that have experience within a zoological, veterinary, environmental, or rehabilitation organization are preferred. Interns will work side-by-side with trainers in the development of our new bird show, "Wings Over Water" and our current mammal show "Wild Things." This internship experience will provide the opportunity to work very closely with a variety of different bird and mammal species, to develop a deeper knowledge of exotic animal care and behavior, and the ability to gain greater hands-on experience in the zoological field.
A successful candidate must be able to work outdoors in typical Florida climate and be able to lift at least 50 lbs. A candidate must commit to a minimum of 150 hours of work over a 12 week period. Housing is not provided. TB test required.
Please send letter of intent, resume, and dates of availability to: 1301 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach FL 33405, fax: 561-540-1430, or pbzoo@lycos.com Attention: Assistant Curator of Programs.
Conservation & Research Internship (UNPAID)
The Palm Beach Zoo has internship opportunities available for undergraduate and graduate level students that are interested in gaining experience in the field of conservation and scientific research. The qualified candidate will participate in the following: 1) literature searches, data collection, and data entry relevant to ongoing Zoo research projects 2) interaction with guests on conservation education messages 3) completion of an independent research project delineated by the research manager that will require a written report. All candidates must be able to contribute at least 150 hours within a 12 week period.
Undergraduate Level Qualifications: The successful candidate will have completed at least two full-time semesters of a Bachelor's degree in animal behavior, biology, psychology, zoology, or related field. Some experience in animal behavior, conservation, and/or equivalent coursework is preferred.
Graduate Level Qualifications: The selected candidate will be currently enrolled in a graduate level program with focus on animal behavior, conservation, biology, psychology, zoology, or related field.
Please send letter of intent, resume, and dates of availability to 1301 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach FL 33405, fax: 561-540-1430, or pbzoo@lycos.com, Attn: Assistant Curator of Programs.
Volunteer Programs Intern (unpaid)
Responsibilities: Are you a people person? The Volunteer Programs Intern will assist the Volunteer Programs Manager in scheduling and recruiting potential volunteers. The intern will also assist with the planning, co-ordination and implementation of the annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner, special event activities designed to encourage and promote retention of volunteers, and in setting up and facilitating recruitment opportunities.
Qualifications: Applicant should be working on a BA in Education, Marketing, Human Resources or related field. Applicants should be detail oriented and highly organized. The applicant should feel comfortable talking to and interacting with wide varieties of volunteer staff from differing backgrounds and ages. All interns regardless of placement must present proof of a negative TB test, administered within the past year.
Schedule: Interns are expected to commit to a regular schedule for at least one semester or minimum of 60 hours. Schedules are arranged on an individual basis in consultation with the intern's immediate supervisor. Benefits: Volunteer t-shirt and name badge provided. Reports to: Volunteer Programs Manager; Director of Education.
Please send a completed volunteer application (available here), résumé with cover letter, three (3) letters of reference, and unofficial transcript to Volunteer Programs Manager, Palm Beach Zoo, 1301 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33405.

Animal Care Internship Application