Utica Zoo

Scroll down to see our wishlist.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Animal Keepers - We openly accept resumes for future Animal Keeper positions. Resumes will remain on file for one year. Applicants will NOT receive confirmation of receipt of resume or other correspondence unless we have begun a hiring process. Applicants must possess a MINIMUM of an Associate's Degree in an appropriate science based discipline. A Bachelor's Degree and animal care experience preferred. Animal Keeper duties include daily cleaning, feeding, record keeping, enrichment, operant conditioning, diet preparation, exhibit maintenance/construction, as well as assisting during veterinary procedures and education programming. Applicants must be able to lift 50lbs as well as be prepared to work in various weather and environmental conditions.

Contact Details: Resumes with appropriate cover letters should be sent to Mike Bates, Animal Curator, Utica Zoo, 99 Steele Hill Road, Utica, NY, 13501. Email: mike.bates@uticazoo.org. Fax: 315-738-0475. The cover letter should include your areas of interest, goals and what you can offer the zoo.

Animal Care Department Internships: The Utica Zoo is offers Animal Care Department Internships during the summer season each year. The internship begins June 1 and lasts for approximately 9 weeks. Interns will work under the direct supervision of the animal care staff and assist in all aspects of their daily activities. This is a VERY hands on internship. Duties will include cleaning, feeding, record keeping, enrichment, diet preparation, exhibit maintenance/construction, as well as assisting during veterinary procedures and education programming. Interns will be required to conduct short presentations to the public daily. Intern positions are available in a number of specialized areas within the zoo. The internship is very physical and demanding. Interns must be able to lift a minimum of 50lbs as well as be prepared to work in various weather and environmental conditions. Direct physical contact with animals is often limited. Applicants must be enrolled in or have graduated from a college level zoology, biology, pre-vet, wildlife or related program. The internship is unpaid. Housing may be available but is NOT guaranteed. Transportation is the responsibility of the intern. Proof of a negative TB test, along with a recent tetanus vaccination is required.

Education Department Internships: Interns will work under the direct supervision of education department staff and assist in all aspects of their daily activities. These duties include cleaning, feeding, record keeping and enrichment for a small collection of education animals. Interns will also assist in education programming, including daily animal presentations, zoomobiles and zoo camp sessions. Interns will be required to conduct presentations to the public daily.

Contact Details: Resumes with appropriate cover letters should be sent to Mary Hall, Education Manager, Utica Zoo, 99 Steele Hill Road, Utica, NY, 13501. Email: mary.hall@uticazoo.org Fax: 315-738-0475. The cover letter should include your areas of interest, goals and what you can offer the zoo.

Summer internship applications should be submitted by March 31st.

See Below for our Animal Care Wishlist!!

Besides the day to day cleaning and feeding of the animals, the animal keepers are also responsible for Environmental Enrichment and Training. Environmental enrichment is the way we promote species-appropriate behavior, while giving the animals choice over their environment. Check out the pictures below to see some examples of enrichment and training in action. And if you are interested in being a part of our Enrichment program, you can help the animals by purchasing enrichment items for them. Simply go to http://www.sanctuarysupplies.com/sanctuary_wishlist.asp?id=1212 . There you will find a wishlist of items that we could use to better care for the animals here at the zoo. You can purchase these items from Sanctuary Supplies and they will be shipped directly to the zoo. Keep track of your donations because they are completely tax deductible!

The animal care staff are often in need of items that we can use to better care for the animals. Some of these items are useful for Environmental Enrichment, while others help us to keep their living spaces clean. Look over our WISHLIST. If you can provide us with any of these items we would be most grateful, and remember, your donations are always tax deductible.

Wishlist Items under $50:

Brazil nuts, walnuts in shell

Gift Cards for Petsmart, Walmart or Price Chopper

Chlorine Bleach

Sponges/scrubbers

100 and 250 Watt Ceramic Heat Emitters

Digital Thermometers and Hygrometers

Photo paper-glossy (for lazer) 8x10

Heated Water Dishes-6 in. and 12 in.

Art Supplies - Canvas, Non-toxic Paints, Brushes

Cracked Corn-bagged

Apricot Nectar

Water Bottles (16 and 32 oz.)

Feed dishes- Stainless steel, black rubber (found in feed stores)

Hand Sanitizing Gel (ex. Purrell)

Band Aid (for First Aid kits)

Copy Paper (8" x 11", white)

Colored Card Stock

Trash Bags (55 gallon sizes)

Paper Towels

Latex or vinyl gloves (size medium and large)

Wishlist Items over $50:

Plexiglass Sheets- 1/4 " preferred : Used to fix viewing windows

Trovan Microchip Reader : Used to read older microchips

Vari-Kennels- Animal Carrying kennels in Medium, Large and Extra Large sizes : Used for transporting animals

RubberMaid Storage Lockers : Used for storing tools and supplies

Shovels x10 : Used to clean animal areas

Large Plastic Lawn Rakes x20 : Used to clean animal areas

Golf Carts (in good working order) : Used to transport animal supplies

Truck (1/2 ton or larger, in good working order) : Used to haul manure

2007 Polaris RANGER 6X6 EFI : Used to move animal supplies longer distances

Digital Reptile and/or Gamebird Egg Incubators x20 : Used to monitor temperatures for proper care

1000 lb capacity Scale (PS-100) : Used to weigh smaller animals

5000 lb capacity Scale (WB-5000) : Used to weigh larger animals

Wheelbarrows x8 : Used to move manure

Keurig coffee maker and k-cups

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