Detroit Zoological Society

Mammal Department Internship

ROYAL OAK, MIPosted 21 days ago

Job summary

  • Job post source

    This job is directly from Detroit Zoological Society

  • Job overview

    The Mammal Department Internship at Detroit Zoological Society offers college students hands-on experience in zookeeping, contributing to animal welfare and guest engagement.

  • Responsibilities and impact

    Interns will assist with daily animal care including feeding, cleaning, habitat maintenance, conduct behavioral observations, participate in special projects, and interact with guests to enhance their experience.

  • Experience and skills

    Applicants must be junior or senior college students in science-related fields with coursework in zoology, biology, or animal behavior, provide proof of enrollment and a letter confirming college credit, and meet health and background check requirements.

  • Work environment and culture

    The Detroit Zoological Society values diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility, providing a welcoming environment with exposure to both indoor and outdoor work and seasonal weather.

  • Company information

    The Detroit Zoological Society is an organization dedicated to animal care and conservation, offering educational and professional opportunities in zoology and related fields.

  • Team overview

    Interns work closely with mammal staff and zookeepers to learn professional zookeeping duties and animal care.

  • Job location and travel

    Work is performed at the Detroit Zoological Society with exposure to indoor and outdoor environments and seasonal weather conditions.

  • Application process

    Applicants must provide proof of enrollment, a letter of recommendation for credit, and complete health screenings and background checks before starting.

  • Unique job features

    The internship includes unique hands-on experience with animal care, behavioral observation, and participation in conservation-related projects, culminating in a written summary of the internship experience.

Company overview

The Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center, focusing on wildlife conservation, animal welfare, education, and environmental sustainability. They generate revenue through ticket sales, memberships, donations, grants, and special events. Founded in 1928, the Detroit Zoo was the first in the U.S. to use barless exhibits extensively, emphasizing naturalistic habitats. The DZS is also known for its leadership in animal welfare, including the creation of the Center for Zoo Animal Welfare and Ethics.

How to land this job

  • Position your resume to highlight your current enrollment in a four-year accredited college or university, emphasizing coursework in zoology, biology, animal behavior, or related science fields relevant to the Mammal Department Internship.

  • Emphasize your strong work ethic, self-motivation, and any hands-on experience or coursework related to animal care, behavioral observations, or habitat maintenance as these align with the internship duties.

  • Apply through multiple platforms including the Detroit Zoological Society's official careers page and LinkedIn to maximize your application visibility.

  • Connect with current or former Mammal Department staff or interns on LinkedIn, using ice breakers like asking about their favorite animal to work with or inquiring about special projects they participated in to build rapport and gather insights.

  • Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords from the job description such as 'animal care,' 'behavioral observations,' 'habitat maintenance,' 'zoology,' and 'internship credit' to ensure it passes initial screenings.

  • Jennie Johnson's Power Apply feature can automate applying through multiple channels, tailor your resume with relevant keywords, and identify LinkedIn contacts for networking, allowing you to focus your energy on preparing for the internship experience.

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