There are many options with
regards to seeking a career related to animal care. The AAZK
is a good source for information, as is the AZA
website. It will help answer that often-asked question
"where do I get a job doing what you do?" We hope you find
it useful.
Watch intern Kelly's presentation about her experience during the summer of 2007!
Exotic Animal Care Internship Program:
Students who have completed Black Pine's internship program have gone on to secure paid positions at some of the nation's finest institutions, including:
Shedd Aquarium
Brookfield Zoo
Columbian Park Zoo
Frank Buck Zoo
Washington Park Zoo
Northwest Trek
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Zooquarium at Cape Cod
Yosemite National Park
The goals of Black Pine's Exotic Animal Care Internship program are to:
- Provide a quality mentoring
experience for pre-professionals pursuing a career in animal science
- Provide a unique
opportunities for hands-on learning through a diverse animal
population and small, non-profit business environment
- Help mold the next
generation of exotic animal advocates to positively affect both
captive and wild exotic animal populations
- Provide the best human
resources possible to carry out the organization’s non-profit
mission
- Increase the visibility of
Black Pine Animal Sanctuary in the community
- Increase the level of
excellence in the organization’s operations
- At
least 18 years old with valid driver’s license and reliable
transportation
- Minimum commitment of 20 hours per week
- Available
to work weekdays and willing to work some weekends and holidays
- Be
able to lift up to 30 pounds
- Able
to stand/walk for extended periods of time
- Able
and willing to read and follow verbal and written work instructions
and work independently
- Willing
to assist with administrative, customer relations, and housekeeping
tasks as well as animal care
- Able to commit to upholding all Sanctuary safety and personnel policies, and support the overall non-profit mission
Compensation
Interns will not be compensated. There are no living stipends offered with this program. Interns are responsible for securing their own housing, transportation, etc. Occasionally, especially during the summer internship period, local residents may offer the opportunity to live as a guest in their home at little or no cost. Candidates for these opportunities will be selected based on need for consideration only after offered an internship. Local apartment management companies may also offer short-term leases exclusively to interns. Contact information will be provided upon request to explore rental opportunities.
Resources
Each intern will be provided a
staff handbook that will provide written expectations, instructions,
policies, and guidelines. Interns
will be expected to read all materials provided and sign all documents
required prior to beginning the internship.
Documents requiring a signature may include a waiver of liability
and compensation, harassment-free workplace policy, acceptance and receipt
of staff handbook, and an internship agreement.
Evaluations
Each intern will be provided
performance evaluation(s), in writing upon request.
A letter of recommendation will be provided at the end of the
internship period. Any
additional evaluations as required for college credit will also be
provided upon request.
Recognition
Interns will be provided the
same opportunity to earn “staff rewards” as volunteer staff members.
As milestones are reached, measured in hours worked, reward items
will be earned. All rewards
earned will be given to the intern at or prior to the end of their internship period.
A certificate of completion will also be provided at the completion
of the program for the intern’s portfolio.
College/University Credit Hours
While interns may be eligible to
earn college credit for completing an internship, the responsibility lies
upon the student to determine, with their college or university advisor,
what is required in order to be awarded such credit.
Interns will be responsible for communicating any such requirements
to their site supervisor as soon as possible to determine if they may be
met within the internship program and organization’s own policies and
guidelines.
Internship applications are accepted year-round with start and end dates to be determined on a case by case basis.
**To Apply for an Exotic Animal Care Internship please submit the following:
1. Completed Application (click here to download application.)
2. Cover Letter explaining why you are interested in the program and why you should be accepted into the program.
3. Resume
4. Two letters of recommendation
5. Mail to:
Black Pine Internships - Exotic Animals
P.O. Box 02
Albion, IN 46701
