Internships
2019 Internships
Thank you for your interest in internships with EARTH Limited and Southwick’s Zoo!
We are currently accepting applications for 2019 Spring/Summer Education and Animal Care internships.
Internships with EARTH Ltd and Southwick’s Zoo are a rewarding experience which provides college students and recent college graduates the chance to learn and develop valuable skills while working in a unique setting. If you have any questions regarding internships, please email or call Samantha Russak at samantha@southwickszoo.com or 1-800-258-9182 ext 214.
Requirements for All Internships
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must be a student currently enrolled in college or a recent college graduate.
- Must be able to attend internship training orientation and zoo tour in May 2019. (spring/summer internships only)
- Must be willing and able to work with children of varying ages, as well as adults, in a professional manner.
- Must be able to take and follow directions to maintain a safe work environment for personnel, visitors, and the animals at the zoo.
- All interns will be required to complete assignments during their internships, dependent on department.
- All spring/summer interns are required to create a project for, and attend, EARTH Awareness Day on August 3, 2019 (rain date of August 4, 2019)
- Spring/summer interns are required to assist with EARTH Bash (June 21, 2019)
Benefits of All Internships
- Discounts for food purchased at the zoo during work hours (does NOT apply to Galliford’s Restaurant).
- Discounts for gifts purchased at the zoo gift shop.
- Season’s pass to use for yourself and friends for entrance to the zoo on non-work days (after 2nd week of internship).
- The opportunity to gain experience and work with a great group of people!
Application Instructions
To apply, please fill out and submit the online application along with your resume (including 3 references) and cover letter. Documents must uploaded as pdfs.
We will begin accepting applications for our 2019 Spring/Summer internship program on January 7, 2019.
Deadline to Apply: March 8, 2019
All applicants will be notified by March 31, 2019.
Please review internship requirements and position descriptions before submitting your application.
All Interns will be responsible to their direct supervisors, in addition to Samantha Russak, Director of Education and Betsey Brewer, Executive Director of Conservation, Education, & Research.
Education Internship
(Available Summer Only)
Requirements for all Education Interns:
- Must be available to work at least 3 days each week, Monday – Friday, from mid-June through August. This position does not require weekend availability with the exception of Saturday, August 3rd for EARTH Awareness Day (rain date of Sunday, August 4).
- Prior experience working with children preferred. Experience with animals is a plus, but not required.
- Must be comfortable working with children of varying ages (grades K-9).
- Students pursuing a degree related to education, biology, environmental science, or a related field are preferred.
- Must be able to be in close proximity to hay and shavings and other possible allergens, such as: dust, mold, and grass.
Please note that this is an education position, and does not involve any animal care.
Wild Adventure Summer Program Internship
(Summer Only)
Number of available positions: 2
Direct supervisors: Program Director: Bob Clark; Assistant Program Director: Patrick Sullivan; Program Instructors: Rachel Buckley & Casey Rhodes
Goal/Objective: Education interns play an active role with our Summer Wild Adventure Program and help guide and oversee students through their daily adventures. Please note that this is an education position, and does not involve any animal care.
Availability: This internship begins in mid-June, however Summer Program interns are still required to attend orientation in May. Applicants must be available to work at least 3 days each week, Monday – Friday. This position does not require weekend availability with the exception of Saturday, August 3rd for EARTH Awareness Day.
Summer Programs offered by EARTH Ltd in 2019 are:
- Adventures and Ecosystems (grades 4, 5, 6): June 24-June 28
- Armadillos to Zebras (grades K,1,2): July 1-July 3
- Animal Antics (grades 2 & 3): July 8-12
- Adventures and Ecosystems (grades 4, 5, 6): July 15-19
- Armadillos to Zebras (grades K,1,2): July 22-July 26
- Teen Zoology (grades 7, 8, 9): July 29-August 2
- Animal Antics (grades 2 & 3): August 5-9
Wild Adventure Summer Program interns will:
- Provide support to program staff and assist with daily tasks including: set-up/clean-up, planning, organization, and running activities
- Enthusiastically engage students in a schedule of crafts, activities, animal encounters, and zoo tours
- Ensure the safety of all students and help maintain a safe environment for students, zoo visitors, and the animals
- Build and maintain a good rapport with students and parents
- Encourage the children to develop an interest in and appreciation for science and learning
- Chaperone students on excursions during the Teen Zoology week
- Develop a project to present on EARTH Awareness Day on Saturday, August 3rd.
Animal Care Internships
Requirements for all Animal Care Interns:
- Spring/Summer applicants must be available to work at least 3 days each week, including at least one weekend day, from Mid-May through August. Fall applicants must be available at least 2 days each week.
- Must be able to lift 50lbs.
- Must be able to stand for long periods of time and work in varying weather conditions including heat and rain.
- Must be able to crawl, climb, and reach to clean low and “awkward” areas.
- Must be able to be in close proximity to hay and shavings and other possible allergens, such as: dust, mold, and grass.
EARTH Education & Animal Care Internship
Number of available positions: 6-7
Direct supervisors: Senior Education Coordinators: Lauren Culley & Sarah DiCarlo; Education Coordinator: Diana Waterman; Assistant Education Coordinator: Jillian Cook.
Goal/Objective: EARTH Education & Animal Care interns learn proper animal handling techniques and assist staff with daily animal care, educational programs, and upkeep of the EARTH Discovery Center, Reptile & Insect Building, and various exhibits located throughout the zoo. Interns also interact with the zoo’s visitors and assist with other tasks as needed.
EARTH interns will:
- Assist with animal husbandry for reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, invertebrates, and exotic birds (cleaning, food prep, etc.) The EARTH Education department currently cares for over 33 reptile species, 14 mammal species, 12 invertebrate species, 5 amphibian species, and 2 bird species (over 150 individuals)
- Design and construct animal enrichment
- Help with up-keep of the Discovery Center and Reptile & Insect building (raking, sweeping, mopping, dusting, etc.)
- Transport animals throughout the zoo
- Work as a conscientious educator interacting with zoo visitors and answering questions
- Assist with planning and running educational programs such as Junior ZooKeeping
- Present an animal or biofact at the “Ask a Zoo Crew” stage
- Assist with preparation of live animal presentations as needed
- Accompany staff on ZooMobile programs as needed
- Assist in other zoo areas, such as the deer forest, as needed
- Complete two assignments outlined in the EARTH Education & Animal Care intern manual
- Select and research a topic to present a visual interactive display for EARTH Awareness Day (Summer internships only)
Bird Keeper & Training Internship
Number of available positions: 6-7
Direct supervisors: Head Bird Trainer: Danielle Poirier; Bird Trainers: Kristen Gagnon & Emily Begue
Goal/Objective: Interns in the bird department will learn proper bird handling and training techniques, leaving with a working knowledge of avian behavior and classical and operant conditioning. Interns will learn to apply science based positive reinforcement to train a number of different husbandry, veterinary, and show behaviors. These skills will be developed by providing an exceptional level of care to our show and exhibit birds through relationship building, cleaning, feeding, and enrichment.
Bird interns will:
- Clean cages of, and prepare diets for, show birds and exhibit birds.The Bird department currently cares for over 20 different bird species (over 30 individuals, in addition to over 100 parakeets and cockatiels in Parakeet Aviary).
- Assist with daily husbandry projects
- Create and distribute enrichment to all birds on a daily basis
- Train and handle a wide variety of parrots during husbandry and shows
- Assist in training new show and husbandry behaviors
- Provide a support role in educational presentations
- Interact with the public before and after each show
- Keep records of training, enrichment, and daily happenings
- Develop and complete a staff approved enrichment project with a bird of your choice
- Complete an independent, staff approved enrichment project with a bird of your choice
Primate Department Internship
Number of available positions: 2-3
Direct supervisors: Head Primate Zookeeper: Michelle Breen; Primate Keepers: Ruth Mazeika, Britney Brosseau, Jess Lanchansky, Justin Economos, Lauren Culley, & Sarah DiCarlo
Goal/Objective: Interns in the primate department will actively participate in animal care and help maintain all primate exhibits as well as additional exhibits throughout the zoo, along with some grounds maintenance.
Primate interns will:
- Ensure the safety of zoo visitors, primate keepers, and primates
- Assist with animal husbandry for numerous primates and other animals throughout the zoo (cleaning, food prep, etc.). The Primate department currently cares for 17 primate species, 2 marsupial species, 4 large rodent species, and 2 reptile species (over 140 individuals)
- Design and construct animal enrichment
- Help with upkeep of zoo grounds, including occasional collecting of trash bags at the end of the work day
- Perform record keeping as needed
- Develop and complete a staff approved enrichment project
- Select and research a topic to present a visual interactive display for EARTH Awareness Day
Hoofstock Department Internship
Number of available positions: 1-2
Direct supervisors: Head Zookeeper: Duane Long; Hoofstock Keepers: Kevin Racicot, Jonathon Smith, Jess Lanchansky, Josh Lobisser, and Mack Ralbovsky
Goal/Objective: Interns in the hoofstock department will actively participate in animal care and help maintain all hoofstock and big cat exhibits as well as additional exhibits throughout the zoo, along with some grounds maintenance.
Hoofstock interns will:
- Ensure the safety of zoo visitors, hoofstock keepers, and animals
- Assist with animal husbandry for numerous hoofstock and other animals throughout the zoo (cleaning, food prep, etc.). The Hoofstock department currently cares for over 20 hoofstock species, over 20 bird species, and 6 large carnivore species (over 360 individuals)
- Help with upkeep of zoo grounds, including occasional collecting of trash bags at the end of the work day
- Perform record keeping as needed
- Develop and complete a staff approved enrichment or conservation project
- Select and research a topic to present a visual interactive display for EARTH Awareness Day
FAQs
Common questions regarding our internships are answered below. If you have any additional questions, please email Samantha Russak at: samantha@southwickszoo.com
How long do the internships last?
Do you only offer internships during the summer when the zoo is open?
Our spring/summer internships are the most popular, however we do offer internships during the fall and winter. These internships typically focus more on caring for animals during the winter and assisting with ZooMobiles. They involve less visitor interaction since the zoo closes for the season after October. Spring Internships go from March-May; Summer Internships go from May-August; Fall internships go from August-November. Spring animal care internship positions are limited, so please email samantha@southwickszoo.com if interested.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be currently enrolled in college or recent college graduates. Applicants must also be at least 18 years of age.
Can I get time off for vacation?
All requests for vacation time must be submitted at the start of your internship. The deadline for Spring/Summer interns to request vacation time is June 9. The deadline for Fall interns to request vacation time is two weeks in advance of vacation.
What if the position I apply for is already filled?
Certain departments have fewer openings than others. If your desired position is no longer available, and we feel you are well suited for another, we may offer you an internship in another department.
Are internships paid?
Our internships are unpaid and are completed for college credit only. However, they offer valuable hands on experience in a fun environment.
Can I interview over the phone if I don’t live nearby?
We can perform interviews via Skype if you are unavailable to attend one in person. Please make a note of this when you submit your application.
What is EARTH Ltd. Awareness Day?
EARTH Awareness Day is an annual event at the zoo that takes place on the first Saturday of August. The purpose of the event is to give visitors a fun way to learn about various conservation and environmental issues. In addition to local organizations and vendors that will be located throughout the zoo, interns will be presenting their EARTH Awareness Day project. This project is a chance for interns to pick a topic that they are passionate about and share that passion with zoo visitors. The only “rule” for the project is that it needs to have an interactive component (such as a game, activity sheet, questionnaire, demonstration, etc.) so that visitors can be fully engaged with the presentation without feeling like they are simply getting a lecture. Staff in each department will help guide interns in developing and completing their projects throughout the duration of their internship.
(Note: EARTH Awareness Day is a requirement for all Spring/Summer interns)
Located at Southwick’s Zoo
2 Southwick’s Street
Mendon, MA 01756
1-800-258-9182