Position Summary

The Animal Care Internship is designed to provide hands-on experience in the field of aquatic and ambassador animal care. The Animal Care Intern will complete tasks alongside biologists while applying classroom knowledge to maintain a diverse collection of marine and freshwater fish, invertebrates and ambassador animals. Interns will spend a third of their time with aquarists, one third with trainers and the remaining third with life support technicians.

Duties & Responsibilities 

• Learn proper husbandry techniques, exhibit maintenance, and general aquatic husbandry theory.
• Assist biology team with cleaning, maintaining, and repairing animal habitats.
• Assist team with diet preparation and feeding of animals. 
• Observe and communicate any animal health concerns.
• Learn to care for, handle, and work safely with a variety of live animals, including fish, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and ambassador animals.
• Assist life support technicians with projects ranging from maintenance and cleaning of filters to building/repairing plumbing systems and water quality testing.
• Assist in training sessions and on-microphone presentation.
• Provide superior guest interactions.
• Maintain up-to-date electronic and hard-copy records on animal husbandry and maintenance, as necessary.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with the Guest Experience Department and the Aquarium Foundation.
• Maintain positive and professional representation of animals, life sciences department, and institution.
• Comply with health and safety standards in accordance with local municipality, state and federal rules and regulations.
• Comply with all policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience, Skills & Qualifications

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be enrolled as a college student with at least 30 credit hours completed; a natural science major declared
• Successfully complete a criminal background check
• Be comfortable working around large volumes of water.
• Be comfortable working with fish, invertebrates, reptiles and ambassador animals.
• Be open to receiving suggestions and feedback.
• Excellent guest interaction/entertainment/interpretation skills
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions well
• Excellent at working independently and within a team
• Professional demeanor, reliable, strong work ethic, positive attitude, and dedicated to the mission of zoos & aquariums
• Strong listening, presentation and decision-making skills