Internship: Cetacean Team
Season: Summer 2024 (Approx Jun-Sept)
Location: Onsite
Application Deadline: Friday March 15 at 5pm CST

Internship Overview:
This career learning experience offers exposure to the different facets of animal husbandry and positive reinforcement training. Working closely alongside staff, interns support our cetacean team as they care for Pacific white-sided dolphins and beluga whales. Interns will assist with a range of daily tasks including cleaning, diet preparation, observations, and record-keeping. They will learn the basic principles of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement training. There is also the opportunity to work on a focused project to further understanding of the profession.

Learning Objectives:

• Demonstrate proficiency in communicating and collaborating across teams
• Identify and explain the principals of positive reinforcement training and operant conditioning
• Practice animal care skills including diet preparation, observations, and cleaning habitat and support areas
  • Learn USDA guidelines
  • Learn AZA accreditation expectations

Responsibilities & Projects:

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission and values
• Partner with staff to maintain high standards of animal care, including
  • Providing a healthy environment through cleaning and disinfection of habitats, reserve spaces, and kitchen spaces and equipment following USDA guidelines
  • Preparing diets for all animals, which involves thawing, inspecting, weighing, and cutting various food types and vitamin administration.
  • Record-keeping of tasks accomplished and animal observations
• Assist in training sessions and presentations, including operating manual and hydraulic habitat doors, setting up and breaking down equipment for public presentations, and basic guest interaction skills.
• Complete and present an assigned project focused on animal enrichment, animal behavior, or data analysis.
• Other projects as assigned

Qualifications:

Fields of Interest: Applicants should have a genuine interest in careers related to animal husbandry, positive reinforcement training, and animal behavior.

Skills/Characteristics:

• Committed to high quality work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication skills and a positive attitude.
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.
• Willing to ask questions and collaborate towards solutions.
• Able to lift objects in excess of 40 pounds as well as bend, crouch, squat and carry heavy buckets as needed.
• Able to withstand exposure to cold temperatures and salt water on a regular basis.
• Comfortable around and in water.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.

Time & Compensation:

• This is a non-exempt, temporary position that pays $15.80 per hour
• We anticipate this position will be scheduled for 30 hours per week for 15 weeks, pending business needs and individual performance.
• Ability to start in mid/late May preferred.
• Preferred schedule: Three 10 hour days per week, with availability including one weekend day.
• Set schedule based on intern availability.

We welcome applications from all levels of experience, including those seeking career exploration or changes, gap year students, freshmen, sophomores, and those seeking first internships.

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, Veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.

If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to select which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs).