Academic Animal Care Internship (unpaid)

Note: There is no monetary compensation associated with this position. You must be seeking academic credit to apply for this position. This role is intended for interns seeking academic credit for their work who cannot commit the required number of hours each week for the paid role. Minimum weekly commitment is 4 hours.

Reports to: Facilities & Animal Care Managers

Academic Credit: Intern is responsible for arranging and meeting internship requirements through their institution of higher-education. Any requirements (projects, paperwork, contracts, evaluations, etc.) must be presented to ECHO Animal Care Staff during the internship interview and must be agreed upon with all parties before the start of the internship.

ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is looking to engage an Academic Intern in the Animal Care Department. Animal Care Interns assist and support Animal Care Staff in a professional, state of the art animal care environment, as is provided in Association of Zoo and Aquarium accredited institutions throughout the US, for native fish and reptiles, as well as native and exotic amphibians. After initial hands-on training, Interns will be required to accomplish husbandry tasks independently and must complete assigned individual project work.

Responsibilities may include:

- Preparing diets and feeding animals
- Cleaning and maintaining animal enclosures both on exhibit and in the back of house
- Administering medications to animals
- Creating and installing naturalistic habitats
- Animal handling
- Keeping daily records of husbandry tasks and animal wellbeing
- Researching natural history and captive husbandry practices
- Creating and delivering 20-30 minute educational programs on species natural history, conservation needs, and/or captive care.

Essential Skills/Training:

- Applicants should be enthusiastic, detail-oriented, reliable, and willing to get wet and/or dirty!
- Occasional raising or relocation of up to 60 pounds may be required.
- Capable of independently completing responsibilities listed in the previous section.
- Majors in animal science, wildlife biology, pre-vet, aquaculture, environmental science, or related fields preferred.

Time Commitment:

- 3 month commitment
- 4 hours per week minimum required by ECHO, however additional hours can be accommodated by ECHO if additional hours are required for academic credit. Any scheduling requirements must be presented by the intern to ECHO Animal Care Staff during the internship interview and must be agreed upon with all parties before the start of the internship.

Work Conditions

This position typically works indoors in the guest space or in ‘back of house’ animal care areas. Occasional outdoor collection trips may occur, which may involve hiking, wading or entering or traversing streams. The position works directly with reptiles, amphibians, fish and various invertebrate food items. The position may occasionally require relocating or raising up to 60lbs. Typical responsibilities involve stooping, balancing, climbing ladders, and being in close proximity to Animal Care staff (especially during the initial training period). Typical work involves water; floors are typically wet and care is required when moving through work areas.

About ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
ECHO is a dynamic, nationally acclaimed, science and nature museum committed to engaging diverse public audiences and providing experiential, relevant and lifelong educational experiences for all our guests. Founded in 2003, ECHO houses more than 70 species of live animal ambassadors in Vermont’s first LEED certified building. This innovative science center and aquarium displays life in the Champlain Basin and inspires visitors to positively impact the world around them. ECHO is the public face of the Patrick and Marcelle Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, a 2.7 acre environmental campus on the Burlington Waterfront.

ECHO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or Federal law.