The ZooMobile Internship runs from mid-September 2019 through early June 2020. Applicants should be available Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week, with frequent early morning shifts. The San Francisco Zoo supervisory staff has the option to extend this internship for a second academic year (with a summer break). About the ZooMobile Program: The ZooMobile is the primary outreach program of the San Francisco Zoo, and has been in operation since 1975. ZooMobile Interns take a variety of small ambassador animals into schools, senior centers, preschools, and libraries to teach specific lessons about wild places and wild things.
The objective of the Zoo’s internship program is to provide practical, on-the-job experience; provide exposure to zoo operations and zoo careers; provide classroom and teaching experience; and demonstrate the unique advantages of zoo internships as a supplement to more conventional learning programs. The intern will learn and perform, under supervision, the duties and responsibilities of an employee in the assigned department. Education and Animal Resource Center (ARC) staff members supervise interns and ensure a progressive skill-building experience throughout the school year. All internships are paid the current San Francisco minimum wage of $15.59 per hour.
About the Internship: The ZooMobile Intern will be conducting ZooMobile presentations to a wide range of age groups while handling a variety of small amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The ZooMobile Intern will also help lead Zooforce programs (if applicable), update teacher resources for the Zoo website, and attend special events. Other tasks will include: • Contacting schools and teachers • Scheduling lessons • Driving the ZooMobile van to school locations • Working with ARC volunteers • Animal husbandry duties relating to the care of the animals in our ZooMobile program • Other administrative projects as needed The intern will be expected to work both in and outdoors and therefore must be able to tolerate varying weather conditions.
Candidates should also be able to tolerate dust and animal hair/dander as well as lifting and carrying animal carriers into and out of schools. Must be able to lift and carry at least 30 lbs. Qualifications: Coursework in biology, zoology, ecology, education or related area (Bachelor’s Degree preferred); ability to present information to groups of diverse ages and abilities, while performing classroom management techniques and ensuring the animal’s well-being. A career interest in teaching and/or working with animals is a necessity. Bilingual verbal and/or written communication skills a plus. Must have a valid and clean California driver’s license and be willing to drive and park a large cargo van in varying environments, including busy San Francisco streets.
Please apply via our web site at www.sfzoo.org. Please attach a cover letter with your resume detailing what you hope to gain from this position and how the internship relates to past experience, future plans, and career interest/goals.