Job Title: Browse Intern
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Classification: Seasonal
Hours: Up to 24 hours per week for 12 weeks
Pay Rate: $15.26/hour
This is a seasonal position with a maximum duration of six months, based on individual performance and business operations. The exact end date will be determined by the official start date.
SCHEDULE: Each internship session (spring, summer, and fall) is 12 weeks long. The spring internship session runs January 19, 2027 – April 12, 2027. All interns must be available during this time.
- Orientation: First day of each semester from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. All interns must be available to attend orientation in-person.
- Weekly Schedule: Must be available to work up to 24 hours per week and attend one weekly afternoon professional development session starting the second week of their internship. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays. Schedules will be determined before internships begin by working with the Intern Coordinator and animal area supervisors.
DESCRIPTION: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is seeking an intern for the Nutrition Department to assist in browse collection and distribution for animals at the Zoo and Wildlife Safari Park. The Nutrition Department at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is comprised of a Nutrition Laboratory, a centralized Animal Commissary, and a Browse Team. Together these areas work to make sure that every animal at the Zoo and Wildlife Safari Park is provided with a nutritionally complete diet that encourages engagement in natural feeding behaviors. The Browse Team is responsible for collecting and distributing browse to meet the specialized dietary and behavioral needs of all the Zoo’s browsing herbivores, as well as preserving adequate browse to supply these animals through the winter months.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop, work on, and present an internship project aligned with the research needs of the Nutrition department.
- Attend weekly professional development sessions.
- Complete learning goals on internship checklist.
- Participate in and complete a mid-point and final evaluation.
- Assist in and complete tasks as assigned, including but not limited to:
- Assist with planting, caring for, and harvesting from approved browse harvesting locations.
- Learn to reliably identify toxic and approved species of browse.
- Assist distributing browse to animal areas.
- Learn about various browse preservation techniques and assist with preserving and storing browse through freezing or ensiling.
- Help maintain records of browse activities and assist with browse-related nutritional studies as-needed.
- This position offers no direct animal interaction.
- Other duties may be assigned.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must follow safety guidelines and always demonstrate safe working practices.
- Must have effective time management skills for working in a fast-paced and flexible work environment.
- Must possess strong communication skills; Communicate frequently and in a professional manner with supervisor and team members.
- Must work well with others and have the ability to work independently.
- Must be team-oriented and willing to work with other interns, volunteers, and staff members to further not only the goals of the Department but also of the Zoo’s mission statement.
- Must attend shifts on time and as scheduled.
- Must have the ability to follow detailed instructions.
Offered candidates are required to pass a pre-employment background check and drug screening.
EXPERIENCE: Previous experience working at an AZA institution is preferred, but not required.
EDUCATION: Interns must be currently enrolled in, or have recently graduated from, a college or university. A minimum of one year of coursework in a major field of study to be applied during the internship (e.g. animal science, biology, nutrition, zoology, horticulture, etc.) is preferred. Must be motivated to continue expanding knowledge base as it applies animal nutrition.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: This position may involve considerable physical exertion, including lifting of heavy objects (50+ pounds) and/or assuming awkward positions. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider these physical requirements before applying for an internship in this area. Interns that are not able to meet the physical requirements for the position may be reassigned to another department.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: This position will primarily take place outdoors. May be asked to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions. Routine exposure to hot, humid, and sometimes wet conditions.
PUBLIC CONTACT: Interns will interact with the public frequently throughout their internship and are expected to always exhibit professionalism and exceptional customer service. Interns may be asked to engage in public speaking opportunities, including but not limited to informal educational presentations for the public.
TO APPLY:
- Prospective interns can only submit ONE application per person specific to their top their choice but may indicate up to two other areas that interest them on their application.
- Must submit Cover Letter and Resume to Paycom at the time you apply. Applications without these materials will not be considered.
- Your cover letter should include clearly defined career goals including how interning in the area you selected as your top choice will help you achieve your goals.
- Interns must provide their availability at the time of their interview. Interviews may be conducted over the phone, in person, or over Zoom.
DISCLAIMER
We will do everything possible to accommodate school requirements for those seeking to earn class credit. We do our best to accommodate the schedules of interns with full or part-time job requirements.
Please note this position does not provide any medical coverage.
The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.
Skills Required
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must be currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a college or university.
- Must follow safety guidelines and demonstrate safe working practices.
- Must have effective time management skills.
- Must possess strong professional communication skills.
- Must work well independently and as part of a team.
- Must attend scheduled shifts on time, including weekends and holidays as needed.
- Must be able to follow detailed instructions.
- Must be available for the 12-week internship session and up to 24 hours per week.
- Must be able to lift 50+ pounds and perform considerable physical exertion or awkward positioning.
- Must be able to work primarily outdoors in hot, humid, wet, or adverse weather conditions.
- Must pass a pre-employment background check and drug screening.
- At least one year of coursework in a relevant field such as animal science, biology, nutrition, zoology, or horticulture.
- Previous experience working at an AZA institution.
What We Do
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is an independent not-for-profit organization based in Omaha, Nebraska. Its mission is to inspire, educate, and engage people to serve as lifelong stewards for animals, their habitats, and their conservation. Consistently ranked as one of the world's top zoos, it features immersive habitats, including North America's largest indoor rainforest and the world's largest indoor desert.
