<h5>Facility</h5>
<p>Point Defiance Zoo &amp; Aquarium, Tacoma Washington</p>
<h5>Closing Date</h5><p>
[jobclosingdate]</p>
<h6>Description</h6>
The internship program at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium is designed to provide participants with practical learning experience and knowledge in the field of animal husbandry. Our team of aquarists care for a collection of over 300 species of fish and invertebrates from both Northern and Southern Pacific regions including several large species of sharks. 

This internship is designed to provide instruction in the following areas:
 
1. Animal Husbandry
2. Nutrition and Diet
3. Record Keeping 
4. Water Quality
5. Public Education
6. Knowledge of Marine Fish and Invertebrates
 
Interns are responsible for assisting the staff with routine aquarium husbandry and maintenance, keep a daily journal, attend monthly meetings, and complete a personal project. For more information please refer to the application materials at pdza.org/internships.

<h6>Education and Pre-requisites</h6>
Applicants must:
1.	Be currently enrolled in, or have recently graduated from, a college or university. 
2.	Have a minimum of one year of course work in a major field of study to be applied during the internship (e.g. biology, zoology, animal behavior, etc.).
3.	Be capable of the physical abilities required to work with animals (e.g. lift 50 pounds, frequent bending and stooping, etc.) 
4.	Be able to commit to working 40 hours per week for 10-12 weeks.
5.	Be flexible with their schedule and have the ability to work weekday, weekends and holidays.
6.	Once selected, provide proof of a tetanus vaccination within the past 5 years.
7.	Once selected be willing to verify ability to swim.

(While it is not required that interns earn academic credit we will do everything possible to accommodate school requirements for those who do.)

<h6>Compensation and benefits</h6>
Unpaid. No housing.
<h6>Application instructions</h6>
To apply for an internship at Point Defiance Zoo &amp; Aquarium you must:

1.	Submit an application. (pdza.org)
2.	Submit a cover letter including your career goals.
3.	Submit a resume.
4.	Submit answers to application questions.
5.	Submit two letters of recommendation from an advisor or supervisor. (These may be sent separately.)
6.	Undergo a phone, Skype or on-site interview.

Please note: Candidates may apply for multiple positions during one application period; however complete applications must be submitted for each position. Candidates may not apply for multiple seasons during one application period (applications will not be kept for future positions). 

Applications for the winter season must be received via email or postmarked by Friday October 18th, 2013.
Please mail OR email completed application materials to: cathleen.mcconnell@pdza.org
 
Point Defiance Zoo &amp; Aquarium
Internship Program Coordinator – Education Department
5400 North Pearl Street
Tacoma, WA  98407

