Animal Nutrition Center Internship

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is currently seeking an enthusiastic and hardworking

candidate for its new Animal Nutrition Internship program. The Animal Nutrition Center is part of the

zoos Animal Health Department. This candidate will work alongside our Animal Nutrition

Technicians. This new internship position will provide you not only with the opportunity to work

hands on in our kitchen preparing diets, but you will also learn about all the work that goes into

preparing a diet you know the animal will not only love, but also benefit from nutritionally. Working

at the Animal Nutrition Center will give anyone interested in the field of nutrition an eye-opening

experience as to just what goes into our daily routine of making the diets for tigers, hornbills,

mandrills, and even elephants!

Responsibilities include:

• Close attention to detail. We follow in depth “recipes” when making diets and pride

ourselves on accuracy.

• Working directly with raw meat and fish.

• Working efficiently to prepare and put away following temperature regulations.

• Station Cleanliness.

• Rotation of freezer and cooler/produce inventory.

• Using sharp knives along with other kitchen utensils.

• Sweeping, mopping, and dusting (shelves, corners, coolers, etc.).

• Helping unload grain, fish, and meat orders into various areas such as the deep freezer

and dry storage.

We are willing to work with you and can find other tasks for you to perform should one of the above

responsibilities need to be excluded. There is always room for accommodation.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a High School diploma or GED certificate.

• Having an interest in the field of nutrition is strongly preferred.

• Working well independently as well as a team player.

• Excellent communication skills between the other Animal Nutrition Technicians.

• Ability to follow written and verbal orders.

• Ability to lift at least 50lbs without difficulty.

• Physically able to withstand long hours standing.

• Willingness to go in and out of the deep freezer (-10F) as well as dry storage (90F) without

difficulty throughout the day.

• Organizational skills.

• Valid Driver’s License and reliable means of transportation.

Although we do work inside, this job has potential to be strenuous with heavy lifting and long hours

standing. Please let someone know if you need accommodations. Health and Safety are key here

at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.

Duration of Program:

24-40 hours per week (24 being the minimum and 40 the maximum). Days are flexible, but you may be required to work Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Internships typically last for an approximate six-month period; the minimal internship

length is 12 weeks. Note, if you are pursuing this internship for a school credit, it is the student’s responsibility to organize that with their school and the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.