Fall Internship - Hoofstock
Organization:
Location:
Job or Internship:
Rolling Hills Zoo (AZA Member)
Salina, Kansas, United States of America
Internship (unpaid)
Rolling Hills Zoo is currently accepting applications from motivated applicants to participate in an unpaid
internship in the hoofstock department! This unique experience allows interns to work side-by-side with
keepers, gain hands-on experience, and observe different training sessions. Under the direction of our Head
Keeper interns will provide daily care and management to zoo animals, animal training, enrichment, guest
interaction, exhibit maintenance/design, and other duties as assigned. This opportunity will allow interns to
work with our hoofstock collection, including oryx, addax, giraffes, rhinos, and more!
Candidates interested in this position should be self-motivated, dependable, have a positive attitude, and
problem solving abilities. This internship program is designed to allow interns to learn:
 Diet preparations & feeding
 Exhibit maintenance for various areas, per AZA regulations
 Animal observations
 Animal training
 The development of animal enrichment and assessment
 Proper care and nutrition for the animals in their area
 Informal & formal guest interactions through keeper talks, demonstrations, education programs, etc.
Requirements:
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Applicant must be at least 18 years old and able to pass a background check.
Have a tetanus shot and negative TB test.
Must be enrolled in college and supply RHZ with a letter of intent from a professor, or have graduated
in the past 6 months.
Applicants must be able to work in different weather environments, be comfortable with walking,
lifting (must be able to lift at least 50+ lbs.), and time outdoors. Physical exertion includes repetitive
motions and climbing on a regular basis.
Must be able to work both as a team member and independently.
General knowledge of livestock & domestic species and coursework in biology/zoology are preferred
but not required.
Interns are required to work with the keeper(s) of their area to create and assess an original
enrichment device.
A one-time fee of $30 is required to offset the cost of the intern uniform shirt, application processing,
nametag and training materials.
Schedule:
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Interns are expected to commit to a 3-12 month program. Interns will have a Friday- Monday schedule
working from 7:00a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Rolling Hills Zoo is open 364 days a year; consequently, interns may be schedule to participate on
holidays.
College Credit:
We will work with your college/university to offer college credit, however it is your responsibility to arrange
this. We will provide any documentation your school requires for credit hours.
To Apply:
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We are accepting applications until July 31, 2015. Successful applicants must start by Friday, August
21st.
To submit an application, please visit our website:
http://www.rollinghillswildlife.com/get_involved/intern/internship.html. Applicants must also submit
a resume, cover letter, and references.
Complete the Intern Application and submit to Melissa Mahoney at [email protected] or
mail to Rolling Hills Zoo | 625 N. Hedville Rd. | Salina, Kansas 67401.
Call Melissa with any questions at 785-827-9488 ext. 153.
Animal Husbandry Internship - Hoofstock
Rolling Hills Zoo
Purpose:
To fulfill the needs of a student desiring internship credit while gaining real-world experience in the field of
Zoo Keeping.
Objectives:
- To fill a niche for students requiring or aspiring to receive college credit and experience.
- To provide animal care in the designated area of the zoo on a regularly scheduled basis (to be determined
at the time of application and dependent upon school requirements).
- To educate students in proper and thorough care of animals in an AZA accredited institution.
- To maintain exemplary animal care and enrichment.
- To create an animal specific project to further the education of the student to be determined by the
Curator, Assistant Curator and Head Keeper.
To qualify, the student must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Must fill out a volunteer application
- Must be able to pass a background check
- Must be enrolled in an accredited college or university and present a letter of intent from their professor
- Must have a current tetanus vaccine and a negative TB test
- Must go through volunteer training with the Volunteer Department to include basic animal handling
- Must have reliable transportation
- Must be able to adhere to the uniform and appearance policy
- Must be able to stand for long periods
- Be able to lift 50+ lbs.
- Must understand this position will require working indoors and out and in possible weather extremes
Please be aware:
- This internship receives the benefits of a volunteer position. It should not be misconstrued as having paid
staff benefits, responsibilities or privileges unless otherwise authorized.
- This internship is contingent upon fulfillment of requested duties while adhering to RHZ policies and the
student may be dismissed with proper documentation.
- It must be understood that above requirements are necessary but the intern must be flexible with requests
made by staff members regarding animal care and the intern project.
____________________________
Student Signature
_________________
Date
____________________________
Printed Name
_________________
Date
625 N. Hedville Rd.
Salina, KS 67401
785-827-9488 ext. 117
HOOFSTOCK INTERNSHIP APPLICATION
Name: _______________________________________________________________________
Home Address: ________________________________________________________________
City: ________________________________________ State: _________ Zip: ______________
Phone: ___________________________
Best E-mail for Correspondence: _________________________________________________
College/University Attending: ___________________________________________________
City: ____________________________ State: _________
Major: ___________________________________ Minor: ______________________________
Faculty Advisor: ______________________________ Phone: __________________________
Year in School (circle): FR SO JR SR GRAD Other: ______________________________
Your College/University Schedule: Semesters _____ Trimesters _____ Other ____________
Relevant Coursework and Experience: (Please use more space if needed): _________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Do you expect to receive credit for this Internship?
Proposed Dates of Internship:
Yes
No
From_________ To __________ Year ___________
Do you know of any restrictions on your availability? __________________________________
Which Internship are you applying for? 1st Choice: ________________ 2nd:________________
Background checks are conducted for all potential interns.
Please enclose:
___ Cover Letter (addressed to “Volunteer Coordinator”)
___ Resume
Send these documents to:
Volunteer Coordinator
RHZ | 625 N. Hedville Rd.
Salina, Kansas 67401
Background Check
Have you ever been convicted of violating any laws other than minor traffic offenses?
_____________________________________________________
Have you ever been found guilty of, or are currently under investigation for violating wildlife regulations
enacted by any of the various states, any Agency of the US Government, or those of a foreign nation?
Yes
No
If yes, please explain: ___________________________________________________________
I authorize Rolling Hills Zoo to conduct an investigation into my background to the fullest extent allowed by
law including, but not limited to the following investigations:
_____ Motor Vehicle Check
DL#____________________ State__________
_____ Criminal Background Check
_____ Employment History Check
I release all parties from liability for any damage that may result from furnishing such information. I
acknowledge that any information discovered as a result of these investigations may prevent my being
accepted into the volunteer program. I certify that the facts contained in this application are true and
complete to the best of my knowledge and understand if accepted into the volunteer program, falsified
statements or an omission of pertinent information of this application shall be grounds for dismissal at any
time from the intern program.
Date: ________________ Signature: ________________________________________________
Character references: 2 adults, not relatives you have known for at least one year
Name______________________________________________ Years known ________________
Relationship_________________ Phone #__________________ Cell # ____________________
Address__________________________________ City & State___________________________
Name______________________________________________ Years known ________________
Relationship_________________ Phone #__________________ Cell # ____________________
Address__________________________________ City & State___________________________
Authorization to Release Information
This is to inform you that, as part of considering you for interning with Rolling Hills Zoo, we may obtain all information
relevant from all sources of education, employment, motor vehicle, criminal history, and personal character. All
information obtained will be in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, labor and wage records etc., or any
part thereof. Rolling Hills Zoo complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which provides consumers with rights
regarding investigative consumer reports and places specific obligations on employers using consumer reports.
I authorize any duly authorized agent to obtain records, whether the said records are public or private, and including
those, which may be deemed to be privileged or confidential in nature, and I release all persons from liability on account
of such enclosures. I authorize, without reservation, any party or agency contacted by a duly authorized agent to furnish
the above-mentioned information. Rolling Hills Zoo will not request a consumer report without a signed authorization. I
have a right to request to the agency, upon proper identification, the nature and substance of all information in my files
including sources of information, and the recipients of any of my reports, which the agency has furnished within a twoyear period preceding my request.
I have read the above information regarding Rolling Hills Zoo requesting a consumer report, and by my signature below,
I give my consent to Rolling Hills Zoo to obtain an investigative consumer report from a duly authorized agent and/or
any of their licensed agents. I understand and agree that any omission, false or misleading statement, or answer made
by me on my application, any supplements, and/or interviews will be sufficient grounds for rejection from the Volunteer
Program. I understand that in order to aid in the proper identification of my file or a record, the following information is
necessary:
Print Name: ___________________________________________________________________
Social Security Number: ________-_______-_________
Driver’s License Number: _________________________________ State Issued: ____________
Date of Birth: __________________________________
(Month) (Day) (Year)
Current Address:________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: _________________________________________________________________
Applicant Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: ____________