Animal Care Internship at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

An Animal Care Interns primary responsibility is assisting the year-round Animal Care team with husbandry tasks and assisting the year-round Education team with facilitating animal encounters and daily programs as needed. This position is designed for the college student interested in working with wildlife or for entry-level animal care professionals looking to gain more experience. Works days and hours assigned by Animal Curator; full 40 hours and 5 days per week maximum 8 hours per day. The internship position is for up to 20 weeks with a minimum duration of 16 weeks available for the right candidate.Job DutiesAssists keepers with husbandry tasks (diet preparation browse collection habitat cleaning feeding watering enrichment dishes etc.)Facilitate animal encounters with porcupine Sitka black-tailed deer reindeer moose and bearsFrontline interpretation ensuring positive guest interactions and managing guest behaviors and needsLead daily programs talks and tours with the Education team as neededAssist with orphaned animal care as needed Other duties as assigned Necessary Skills Ability to work in a team environment to help achieve AWCCs goals and objectivesExemplify a professional positive and respectful attitude and strong work ethicAttention to detail and time management skillsAbility to compromise listen learn understand and follow instructionsBe comfortable working around animals in human careAbility to work outdoors in drastically changing weather including extreme wind temperatures pouring rain and winter conditions Ability to work long hours on your feet and walk long distances over uneven terrainAbility to perform physically demanding tasks such as cleaning and moving up to 40 poundsAbility to work directly with the public and diverse audiences providing information and assistance as neededMust be able to work a highly variable schedule as needed including all weekends early mornings and nightsStrong time and task management skillsCurrent drivers licenseMust be eligible to work in the United StatesMust have received or be willing to receive a tetanus vaccination by date of hire to be considered. Proof of vaccination required.Additionally Considered SkillsThese additional skills will be considered but are not required for this positionPreferred internship length is 16-20 weeks with end dates in Mid SeptemberSome college or graduate coursework in a related field. Some examples may include Education Interpretation Wildlife Biology Environmental Studies Natural Resources Zoological Sciences Ecology Animal Science or other related topics of interestApplication demonstrates how this opportunity will be a career building opportunityApplication demonstrates knowledge of AWCC programsExperience with Alaskas wildlife and environmentThis position is eligible as a credit earning opportunity in the University of Alaska system along with several other universities. If you are interested in earning credit for this opportunity please inquire in your application packet.Rabies vaccine: depending on the animals in our care at the time of the internship having this vaccination may lead to more animal care opportunitiesFluency in multiple languagesFirst Aid and CPR CertifiedArea Specifics and BenefitsHousing is provided as a benefit for seasonal team members with a $300 security / cleaning deposit.Housing is on-site and is dormitory style with multiple shared bedrooms as well as shared bathrooms kitchen living room and laundry machines Wi-Fi is provided. Ability to courteously live with other team members is essential.Staff living on-site with a valid drivers license and safe driving record have occasional access to an AWCC vehicle for group grocery and supply runs.Portage Alaska is located 45 miles southeast of Anchorage and 10 miles past Girdwood a small ski-town. There is one small grocery store in Girdwood; Anchorage has the closest typical city amenities. This position has uniform requirements specific uniform requirements will be provided to the employee including jacket rain jacket mid-layer and shirts.Additional gear/clothing for comfort working outside and non-working times is employee responsibilityEmployees receive free admission to AWCC for friends and familyEmployees receive a discount in our Be Wild Gift ShopTo ApplySubmit a single page resumeSubmit a single page cover letter detailing how this position would help you to progress in your chosen career path. Cover letters should demonstrate an understanding of AWCCs mission and programming.Phone and email contacts for three professional references with job titles and working relationship.Include month and date for earliest available start date and latest available end date.Required Experience:Junior IC Key Skills Senior Care,Nursing Home Experience,Hospital Experience,Acute Care,Basic Math,Computer Skills,Caregiving,Vital Signs Experience,Medical Terminology,Rota Management,Mentoring,Leadership Skill Employment Type : Intern Experience: years Vacancy: 1