Employment Opportunities
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Benefits Information
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Internship Programs
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Seasonal Employment
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Employment Application
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Culture Statement
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Frequently Asked Questions
Opportunity and Challenge
The Pittsburgh
Zoo and PPG Aquarium's Intern Programs offer
a unique and exciting opportunity for
high school, college students and graduates
(candidates must be at least 18 years
of age) to explore and experience the
inner workings of a modern zoological
park. A variety of disciplines are available
from which students or graduates may choose.
Program participants
will gain meaningful experience and basic
knowledge in their primary area of study
by completing a research project. Students
also will gain a broader view of a modern
zoological park, via practical hands-on
experience, assisting the Pittsburgh Zoo
and PPG Aquarium's professional staff with
daily operations. In addition, the zoo
will benefit from the effort, infusion
of new ideas and vitality of the program
participants.
This program
offers an excellent opportunity for students
and graduates to develop their basic abilities,
further refine advanced skills and enhance
their career goals.
Animal Husbandry
An internship
in this area is meant to expose the intern
to the many aspects of working as an animal
keeper. The internship will serve as both
a means to gain experience and as a way
of making a career decision. Animal keeper
interns may be required to work in inclement
weather, lift heavy loads and must be
dependable. The duties of the intern reflect
the duties of the area animal keeper.
Those duties include the following: Observation
of animals for disease, injuries, unusual
behavior, pregnancy, etc. and reporting
observations to the appropriate parties
and/or noting on Daily Report Sheet; prepare
and distribute food and water; grooming
of domestic animals; may be involved in
training programs; assist in veterinary
procedures; collect biological specimens;
assist in animal restraint procedures;
maintain proper environmental conditions
for the animals; clean and disinfect animal
enclosures; exercise or handle the Education
Departmant's animals and domestic animals;
secure locks; answer visitor questions,
narrate animal demonstrations and other
duties as assigned. Program participants
will experience hands-on and/or project
work in one or more of the following animal
departments: Aquarium, Elephant/Ungulate,
Tropical Forest (primates), Niches of
the World (reptiles & amphibians), Asian
Forest (leopards, tiger, waterfowl), African
Savanna (lion, rhino, cheetah), Kids'
Kingdom (deer, sea lion, domestic animals),
Animal Holding/Quarantine.
Horticulture
Program participants will work with a
large collection of woody and herbaceous
ornamental plants. Practical experience
in many phases of public horticulture
including care and maintenance of tropical
and temperate plants, landscape installation
(simulated habitats), and annual display
beds. There also exists the opportunity
to work with the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
staff to develop various botanical interpretation
programs for the Zoo visitor.
Conservation Education
An internship
in the Conservation Education Department
means the chance to help children and
adults learn to appreciate the world around
them. Zoo instructors offer intern support,
training and guidance in various areas
such as preparing lesson plans, developing
programs for elementary children as well
as presenting animals from the education
department for classrooms and on-site
demonstrations. If you are a college student
majoring in environmental or elementary
education or a related field in education,
this internship will give you the opportunity
to build your skills working in a zoo
setting. Some of the educational programs
you might assist include: Zoo Classes,
Summer Day Camp and Amphitheater Presentations.
Research (Science and Conservation)
Research internships at the Pittsburgh
Zoo and PPG Aquarium are designed to give
the intern practical experience in all
phases of research: experimental design,
data collection, data analysis, and dissemination
of results. You will work closely with
the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium research
staff, assisting in ongoing basic and
applied research. Particularly well-prepared
and motivated students may also conduct
an independent research project, with
the approval of the Research Director.
Externs/Interns will be exposed to a variety
of research projects, which may include:
Ethology (Animal Observations), Animal
Enrichment Projects, Visitor Tracking
Surveys, Radio-telemetry Projects, Data
Entry (Studbooks, Surveys, etc.). Program
participants must commit to a minimum
of 10 weeks to this program.
Marketing, Special Events, and Development
The goal of the
Public Relations Office is to increase
public awareness about the Pittsburgh
Zoo and PPG Aquarium and, hence, to increase
attendance. Public Relations interns and
externs will observe and learn the many
different techniques the Zoo utilizes
to promote its activities, special events,
attractions and general information. Extern/Interns
will assist with the following areas:
Publicity, Promotion, Media Relations,
Special Events Coordination, Event Sponsorships,
Tourism and Membership Sales, Advertising,
Group Sales, and Rentals.
Information Technology Department
We are accepting resumes from students majoring in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer/Electrical Engineering Technology and Computer Networking. Applicants must have knowledge of Microsoft Office, all Windows platforms, databases, computer hardware and network hardware.
This internship offers experience in many areas of Information Technology including help desk, purchasing, installing and network administration.
Application Procedure and Requirements
Students who wish to apply should send
a cover letter, resume, and a letter of
recommendation.
The cover letter should include the following:
- Why you are interested in an internship
at the Pittsburgh Zoo.
- What you would like to gain from an
internship.
- What intern opportunities interest
you.
To qualify for this internship, you must
have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher,
demonstrated interest in your chosen field
of Internship, the ability to work as
part of a team and strong communication
skills. You must be able to do physical
work.
Required Extern/Internship program duration
varies within each discipline and ranges
from 6 weeks to 12 weeks or 480 total
hours. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
is a 7 day a week operation. Your internship
may require you to work weekends, weekdays,
evening's and/ or holidays. Currently
the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium has no
available housing or stipend funding for
program participants.
All requirements of the application should
be sent as a packet. Incomplete applications
will not be considered. You will receive
acknowledgement of receipt of those materials.
Only those applicants whose experience
and background closely matches the Zoo's
needs will be contacted.
Applicants are encouraged to apply as
early as possible since there are a limited
number of positions available.
Please send applications to:
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Intern Program
One Wild Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15206-1178
Mission Statement for the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
The
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium will be a
leader and significant contributor to
the conservation of endangered and threatened
species. We will provide an enjoyable
family experience, which fosters understanding,
respect, and appreciation for wildlife.
We will be recognized for the excellence
of our collection, programs and exhibitry.
We will be acknowledged as a culturally
significant facility. We will offer a
variety of unique educational programs
with a strong emphasis on conservation.
We will conduct scientific research which
supports and enhances the quality of animal
and plant life, visitor experiences, education
and conservation, at the Pittsburgh Zoo
and PPG Aquarium and worldwide.
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