Want to join our Team of Animal Conservation Educators?
We're always accepting new Zovargo Animal Internships and Volunteers in San Diego to join our team!
Who: Anyone age 18 and up
Where: We travel throughout San Diego County
Internship Time Commitment: 5-15 Hours a Week
This includes:
> 1 education Program a week
> 1 animal care shift per month, once trained
> Self-study time and in-person animal handling training
> Weekly team training sessions, online training modules
Volunteer Time Commitment: 2-4 hours every other week
This includes:
> 1 education program every other week
> Self-study time to prepare for each program
> Weekly team training sessions, online training modules
Benefits: Interns receive college credit, animal handling, and animal care/husbandry experience. Both Interns and volunteers receive experience educating all ages, learn how to utilize interpretive teaching techniques, experience in delivering conservation education programs. Volunteers that maintain at least 10 hours a month are eligible to get trained on handling the animals and support animal husbandry responsibilities.
Length of Commitment: 6 Months
To apply, complete our online application by clicking the "Apply Now" button below. We'll be in touch!
Application Process: Qualified candidates will be contacted to complete a short, introductory zoom video interview. Applicants that are selected to move forward from this interview will complete an in-person interview. Applicants are notified of their status after the in-person interview. A probationary period must be successfully completed once accepted for this professional development experience (details provided upon acceptance).
INTERNSHIP &VOLUNTEER
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Where will I Intern at?
A: All over San Diego County. Our animal education program is mobile - "We bring the Zoo to You." Our team of Animal Intern Educators meet us on location to help with set-up and delivery of the animal program.
Q: I'm looking for experience with animals. Is this the right fit for me?
A: While you certainly WILL gain experience learning and working with lots of different species, you should know that we are Educators first! You should be comfortable speaking in front of a crowd because all interns start out doing this first before getting trained on working with the animals. Particularly if you are looking to work in the Veterinary field, this internship is not the best fit for you as we don’t hand you an animal right away and you aren’t going to be doing any medical procedures.
Q: What is a typical week or day like at Zovargo?
A: Each day is different and each week is different! Some weeks we are booked every day and others we have scattered bookings through the week. Weekends are typically our busiest time, so you’ll want to make sure you can support during the weekends. We do not have a set schedule, but we let you know well in advance what the schedule looks like, so you can plan accordingly.
Q: What's the team like at Zovargo?
A: Our team is made of up people just like YOU! Many of our team members are working, in school, and working on developing their skills to land the perfect job OR Zovargo could be just that perfect fit for you! We encourage team members to connect with each other and support this by hosting fun social events frequently. We ensure each person at Zovargo has the same values in supporting conservation, self-growth and team camaraderie.
Animal Internships San Diego Job Description
Benefits
Gain confidence in speaking in front of various audiences.
Obtain training and experience on how to provide age-appropriate education programs.
Understand how to deliver interactive, conservation-focused programs.
Deliver animal programs on many exotic animal species.
Confidently handle many different species of animals and present the animals for interactions.
Trained Educators with a combined 25 years of experience provide mentoring, coaching, professional training, and 1-1 professional development for all educators.
Responsibilities
Deliver engaging, interactive, educational programs to audiences of all ages.
Update your intended program attendance via online scheduling app - no less than 48 hours prior to an event.
Dress appropriately, appropriate appearance for each program.
Arrive timely to scheduled education events willing to help with set-up, tear-down and executing the program.
Provide education programs as a team with other educators.
No phone use during Zovargo programs
Log hours and mileage as directed.
Be part of a Project Teams during your internship.
Qualifications
Must have your own vehicle and be a registered owner, licensed driver.
Must have means to accommodate gas expense. Unpaid travel is a requirement in this position. We do not offer/manage a carpool (it’s encouraged, but we cannot arrange this for you).
Must have a smart phone and be able to navigate successfully to events.
Must be able to dedicate six months of time to the internship. This is a minimum of one program a week, No exceptions.
Should have experience delivering educational programs or speaking in front of audiences.
Should have experience handling animals, but we are willing to train those willing/able to proceed and make progress in this area!
Should have some experience working with children/youth.
Ideal candidate should be able to lift 30 pounds. Our outreach programs involve some labor hauling in our educational props, displays, and animals
Location of animal Internships San Diego
Zovargo is an outreach program that "Brings the Zoo to You." We are always on the move and could be in North County of San Diego one day, then down in South Bay the next. We have training sessions/meetings in central San Diego, but our regular work location is always changing depending on the day. Join our animal internships San Diego today! :)
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