Jungle Intern

Job Title:

Jungle InternFLSA Status:
Non-exempt

Classification:
Seasonal

Hours:

Up to 24 hours per week for 12 weeks

Pay Rate: $15.26/hour

This is a seasonal position with a maximum duration of six months, based on individual performance and business operations. The exact end date will be determined by the official start date.

SCHEDULE:

Each internship session (spring, summer, and fall) is 12 weeks long. The spring internship session runs January 19, 2027 – April 12, 2027. All interns must be available during this time.

Orientation:
First day of each semester from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. All interns must be available to attend orientation in-person.

Weekly

Schedule:

Must be available to work up to 24 hours per week and attend one weekly afternoon professional development session starting the second week of their internship. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays. Schedules will be determined before internships begin by working with the Intern Coordinator and animal area supervisors.

DESCRIPTION:

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is seeking an intern in the Lied Jungle. The Lied Jungle, America’s largest indoor rainforests, at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, is an 80-foot-tall, 1.5-acre immersive exhibit and was named the 2019 winner of USA Today’s 10 Best Zoo Exhibits. It has an elevated canopy walkway and a forest floor trail taking visitors through three geographic ranges highlighting species of fauna and flora found in Asian, African, and South American rainforests.

The animal collection includes new and old-world primates, tapirs, otters, pygmy hippos, birds, bats, rodents, reptiles, amphibians and fish.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop, work on, and present an internship project aligned with the research needs of animal care staff in the Jungle.

Attend weekly professional development sessions.

Complete learning goals on internship checklist.

Participate in and complete a mid-point and final evaluation.

Assist in and complete tasks as assigned, including but not limited to:

Cleaning and general maintenance of the exhibits and building.

Daily care of animal collection.

Recordkeeping.

Animal enrichment.

Monitoring behavior and changes in animal health.

Diet preparation and feeding.

Help perform building upkeep, cleaning, and maintenance to ensure USDA and AZA Standards are always being met.

Complete a life history report on an assigned species from the Jungle collection.

Design an enrichment device and address construction needs, safety concerns, and implementation strategy for the assigned species.

This position offers very limited direct animal interactions and no participation in animal training. Interns will be provided opportunities to observe Jungle animal care staff demonstrate proper animal handling/restraint techniques and operant conditioning training techniques when applicable.

Interns may not be permitted to work within 6 feet of all primates, otters, pygmy hippo, and bats, or while prepping their food, without wearing a KN95 mask in compliance with disease mitigation protocols.

Other duties may be assigned.

Must be at least 18 years old.

Must follow safety guidelines and always demonstrate safe working practices.

Must have effective time management skills for working in a fast-paced and flexible work environment.

Must possess strong communication skills;
Clearly and effectively communicating with keeper staff about all aspects of the job including daily husbandry, safety questions or concerns, building operation, etc.

Must work well with others and have the ability to work independently.

Must be team-oriented and willing to work with other interns, volunteers, and staff members to further not only the goals of the Department but also of the Zoo’s mission statement.

Must…