Voluntary Internships

Voluntary Internships

Paignton Zoo is looking for interns to support our informal education program on sustainable behaviour and summer events.

This is a voluntary position providing an excellent opportunity to develop your interpersonal skills. You will gain experience of how an education department runs within a zoo. Through the development and delivery of resources and workshops you will build an understanding of the growing sustainability industry and develop the skills required to measure the success in this field.

We are looking for motivated and reliable individuals and successful interns will ideally be confident, organised self-starters. It would also be an advantage to have knowledge of sustainability and environmental education; however support and relevant training will be provided. Most importantly, applicants must have a passion for this subject area.

The post involves a regular commitment of time which will be discussed at your informal discussion thus, enabling interns to volunteer around personal commitments.

Register Your Interest

To register your interest, please send a cover letter, explaining what you can bring to this role, along with a CV to michelle.youd@paigntonzoo.org.uk 

The internship is intended to commence in March (there can be flexibility) and will finish on September 1st.

CVs will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will not be reviewed after 12:00pm Friday 13th February 2015. Informal discussions will be held at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park on the 2nd and 3rd of March 2015.

Animal Keeper Internship - Gorilla Section

Animal Keeper Internship (unpaid)

Gorilla Section

Situated near Canterbury in Kent, Howletts Wild Animal Park works in conjunction with The Aspinall Foundation; a charity committed to conservation and the reintroduction of captive bred species back into their natural habitats.

We have an exciting placement available for an enthusiastic individual wanting to gain valuable zoo animal keeping experience through working alongside keepers who will provide coaching and mentoring throughout the internship. The successful candidate will benefit from being involved in our ground breaking reintroduction projects. There is one placement available for our Gorilla Section.

We are looking for candidates who are willing to commit to a 6-12 month term and be willing and available to come in from 8am to 5pm, 5 days per week which will include weekends.

These placements are physically demanding positions so candidates must be physically fit, self motivated and have a genuine interest in conservation and zoo animal care. A valid driving licence is required.

As we are a Registered Charity, funded entirely by visitor fees and donations, we regret we are unable to offer any wages or salary for the placement.  We will provide a full uniform and discount at the parks food outlets for the days that you attend work. No other financial benefits are offered.   Candidates will need to have the ability to financially support themselves for the entire length of the internship. Please be aware that unfortunately we are unable to offer accommodation. However, we do offer comprehensive practical training which provides significant insight into the functioning of a successful and responsible zoological collection, the aim being to promote your future employability.

Candidates should already hold a qualification in conservation or animal care and looking for further specialist zoo experience.

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To apply: email your CV and covering letter outlining why you are the right person for the internship to

 Jo Stephens: joannas@aspinallfoundation.org

Please make sure you put you are applying for “Gorilla Internship” in the subject line.

Closing date: Friday 23rd January 2015

To find out more about us and the work of the Aspinall Foundation, please visit our web site: www.aspinallfoundation.org

Hoofstock Keeper - Intern

Newquay Zoo Internships

        Hoofstock Keeper

Closing date for applications 31^st December 2014

Newquay Zoo is part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust family, comprising Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts, Slapton Ley and two urban nature reserves. Newquay Zoo opened in 1969, has become one of the country's top Zoos, contributing towards ground breaking and innovative conservation programmes. It has also proved itself to be one of the best visitor attractions in the South West.

We currently have a vacancy for voluntary internships for a period of 6 months (including a one month probationary period) working with our hoofstock keeping department. Newquay Zoo is open every day and the placements will be full time i.e. a five day working week including some weekends. The main role of the keeping interns will be to attend the husbandry requirements of the hoofstock collection as directed by the Senior Keeper in charge.

All internships are purely voluntary and as such it is with regret that Newquay zoo cannot provide any financial support or expenses to those wishing to apply for these positions. To ensure that interns are provided with valuable experience; a training agreement will be completed and reviewed regularly and a training record will be provided upon completion of the placement.  

Objectives of the placement

-        To gain experience and understanding of the work of a zoo animal keeping department.

-        To apply own personal skills and take ownership of a series of tasks and/or a research project.

-        To reflect on training and experience throughout the placement.

Anticipated tasks/training provided

-        Assisting with daily animal husbandry e.g. feeding, cleaning, enrichment provision, enclosure modification etc.

-        Observations of animals and recording of relevant information.

-        Training in basic research methods.

-        Visitor interaction e.g. answering visitor questions in a polite and sensitive manner.

-        Assisting with student supervision at the direction of the head keeper.

-        Training in animal-management related computer software.

-        Training in all aspects of the company’s code of practise.

Skills Required

-        A qualification in an animal science related discipline would be desirable.

-        Previous animal-related work experience.

-        Good communication skills.

-        Adaptable to different working environments.

-        Able to work in a team and independently.

-        Physically fit for the demands of the post.

To apply for the above position please send a CV and covering letter, indicating which position you are applying for, to Owen Taylor.

Newquay Zoo, Trenance gardens, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 2LZ

owen.taylor@newquayzoo.org.uk

Bird Keeper - Intern

Newquay Zoo Internships

       Bird Keeper

Closing date for applications 31^st December 2014

Newquay Zoo is part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust family, comprising Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts, Slapton Ley and two urban nature reserves. Newquay Zoo opened in 1969, has become one of the country's top Zoos, contributing towards ground breaking and innovative conservation programmes. It has also proved itself to be one of the best visitor attractions in the South West.

We currently have a vacancy for voluntary internships for a period of 6 months (including a one month probationary period) working with our bird keeping department. Newquay Zoo is open every day and the placements will be full time i.e. a five day working week including some weekends. The main role of the keeping interns will be to attend the husbandry requirements of the bird collection as directed by the Senior Keeper in charge.

All internships are purely voluntary and as such it is with regret that Newquay zoo cannot provide any financial support or expenses to those wishing to apply for these positions. To ensure that interns are provided with valuable experience; a training agreement will be completed and reviewed regularly and a training record will be provided upon completion of the placement.  

Objectives of the placement

-        To gain experience and understanding of the work of a zoo animal keeping department.

-        To apply own personal skills and take ownership of a series of tasks and/or a research project.

-        To reflect on training and experience throughout the placement.

Anticipated tasks/training provided

-        Assisting with daily animal husbandry e.g. feeding, cleaning, enrichment provision, enclosure modification etc.

-        Observations of animals and recording of relevant information.

-        Training in basic research methods.

-        Visitor interaction e.g. answering visitor questions in a polite and sensitive manner.

-        Assisting with student supervision at the direction of the head keeper.

-        Training in animal-management related computer software.

-        Training in all aspects of the company’s code of practise.

Skills Required

-        A qualification in an animal science related discipline would be desirable.

-        Previous animal-related work experience.

-        Good communication skills.

-        Adaptable to different working environments.

-        Able to work in a team and independently.

-        Physically fit for the demands of the post.

To apply for the above position please send a CV and covering letter, indicating which position you are applying for, to Owen Taylor.

Newquay Zoo, Trenance gardens, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 2LZ

owen.taylor@newquayzoo.org.uk