Animal Care Internship

Job Description

An Animal Care Intern’s 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 Duties

Assists 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 bears

F rontline interpretation ensuring positive guest interactions and managing guest behaviors and needs

Lead daily programs, talks, and tours with the Education team as needed

Assist with orphaned animal care as needed

Other duties as assigned

Necessary Skills

Ability to work in a team environment to help achieve AWCC’s goals and objectives

Exemplify a professional, positive, and respectful attitude and strong work ethic

Attention to detail and time management skills

Ability to compromise, listen, learn, understand, and follow instructions

Be comfortable working around animals in human care

Ability 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 terrain

Ability to perform physically demanding tasks such as cleaning and moving up to 40 pounds

Ability to work directly with the public and diverse audiences providing information and assistance as needed

Must be able to work a highly variable schedule as needed, including all weekends, early mornings, and nights

Strong time and task management skills

Current driver’s license

Must be eligible to work in the United States

Must have received or be willing to receive a tetanus vaccination by date of hire to be considered. Proof of vaccination required.

Additionally Considered Skills

These additional skills will be considered, but are not required for this position

Preferred internship length is 16-20 weeks starting in May with end dates in Mid– September

Some 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 interest

Application demonstrates how this opportunity will be a career building opportunity

Application demonstrates knowledge of AWCC programs

Experience with Alaska’s wildlife and environment

This 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 opportunities

Fluency in multiple languages

First Aid and CPR Certified

Area Specifics and Benefits

Housing is available as a benefit for seasonal team members with a refundable 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 driver’s 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 responsibility

Employees receive free admission to AWCC for friends and family

Employees receive a discount in our Be Wild Gift Shop

To Apply

Submit a single page resume

Submit 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 AWCC's 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.