About this opportunity
Decatur Park District lists this Part Time Animal Care Intern opportunity in decatur, Illinois. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Part Time Animal Care InternThis 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.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.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.Previous experience working with domestic and/or non-domestic animals.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. 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.This position is a paid animal care keeper position consisting of 20-38 hours per week for approximately 9 months with specific work hours designated by the Curator. Evening, weekend and holiday scheduling required.Decatur Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Worksite address
decatur, IL, 62526, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.