Lowry Park Zoo Jobs & Employment

Do you love animals? Are you dynamic? Would you like to get immersed in a zoo ambience and obtain an up-close contact with more than 20,000 wild animals every day? If so, take part in the internship and volunteer programs offered by Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, and there must be one right for you among various opportunities!

Praised as the Top One family-friendly zoo in the US for years, Lowry Park Zoo has drawn millions of families and furnished their hours in the zoo with a variety of animal exhibits, interactive programs, awesomely fun activities, as well as elaborate educational opportunities for both children and adults. At this wonderland full of animals, exotic plants and rides, learning becomes fun and inviting. Children will get to know the importance of conservation and preservation of wildlife in an entertaining way. More details about this world-recognized zoo are available on:

Lowry Park Zoo Homepage

http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/index.html

Now let's focus on the key issue of this article - jobs and volunteer opportunities at Lowry Park Zoo. To be honest, the zoo rarely posts full-time employment opportunities on its website, so if you are indeed interested in its open positions, you are advised to call (813) 935-8552 to inquiry, or visit its office at 1101 West Sligh Avenue, Tampa.

However, if you would not limit your option only within full-time positions, there is a wealth assortment of internship and volunteer opportunities at Lowry Park Zoo, in various departments and meeting the needs and interest of people in different ages. In order to get you familiarized with these opportunities and pave your way to a unique zoo experience, we are going to provide a detailed and informative guide on the zoo's internship and volunteer programs. Please take a glimpse to see whether there is any opportunity fitting your needs.

Internships:

Do you want to secure a hands-on experience in your career path? Or earn an awesome learning opportunity during your college life and devote your energy to various departments at Lowry Park Zoo? If so, Lowry Park Zoo Internship Program is perfect for you, which assists in achieving your learning goals while ensuring you an opportunity to get close to the wildlife.

Internship Program

http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/internships.php

Currently, interns are needed in Animal Department, Education Department, and Operations/Administration Department. And the specific internship opportunities are offered as follows:

- Animal Depart: Africa, Asia, Aviary, Commissary (Diet Prep), Florida Mammals, Primates and Reptiles.

- Education Depart: Education Management & Administration, Teaching & Curriculum.

- Operations/Administration Depart: Accounting, Graphics/Fine Art, Human Resources, Marketing, Office of Development, Public Relations, Quality Service & Management, and Special Event Planning.

Who is eligible for this Internship Program? This program only applies to current college or Master's Level students, or recent graduates. All applicants must be aged 18 yeas and more, willing and able to complete a 16-week internship. The GPA must be a minimum of 2.5. Applicants should successfully pass the background screening. Additional requirements go along with different departments:

Interns within Animal Department must be available for a schedule of 2.5 hours minimum per week, able to work some nights, weekend as required. In addition, all applicants must submit documentary materials of a negative TB test within the last year, as well as the Tetanus vaccination within the last 5 years.

Interns in Education and Operations/Administration Departs must be able to work a schedule of 15 to 20 hours minimum per week, including some nights, weekends and holidays as required. Besides, Applications for Education Depart must be able to pass a fingerprint screening successfully.

To apply, submit a completed internship application, a cover letter and resume, email to Volunteer.Coordinator@lowryparkzoo.com, or mail to:

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo

Attn: Volunteer Coordinator

Operations/Administration Intern Program

1101 W. Sligh Ave.

Tampa, FL 33604

Please take particular note that a $25 application fee will be collected along with your application for the cost of the background check, non refundable. Once accepted into the Internship Program, all interns must pay $30 for the program materials, orientation, t-shirt, name badge and admission to 4 Brown Bag Luncheons.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Lowry Park Zoo's success and normal operation lean greatly on the devotion and valuable assistance of volunteers at every area of the zoo. These committed people donate more than 40,000 hours each year in a diversity of fields! Would you like to join the dynamic volunteer groups and dedicate your time and energy to this exceptional zoo?

To satisfy applicants of various age ranges and interest, Lowry Park Zoo has designed six types of volunteer programs to get everyone involved. For your convenience, we have listed them in the following:

- Youth Development Programs

- Special Event Volunteer Opportunity (aged 14 and more)

- Group Volunteer Opportunities

- Adult Volunteers - Animal Department (aged 18+)

- Adult Volunteers - Administration, Education and Operations Departs (aged 18+)

- Docent Program

You can browse the website below for detailed intro and description about these opportunities:

Volunteer Opportunities of Lowry Park Zoo

http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/volunteer.php

Here we will take Docent Program for example and offer a detailed intro to this program. You are advised to have a check and get some hints about other opportunities.

The major functions of docents at the zoo are giving docent-led tours and answering questions for guests, demonstrating artifacts, biofacts and Outreach animals to inspire and educate the public. The applicants for this program must be aged 18 years minimum, accountable, hard-working, self-motivated, with excellent leadership skills. They must be able to attend a ten-week docent training, about 70 hours, which is hosted twice a week, respectively on Thursday (6 pm - 8:30 pm), and Saturday (9 am to 4 pm). Besides, applicants must be able to commit to 96 hours of educational volunteering every year and attend the monthly Docent meetings on the third Wednesday at 6:30 pm to 8 pm.

Lowry Park Zoo appreciates your interest in its Docent Program! To apply, finish the Docent Adult Volunteer Application, plus a $105 check which covers background screening, docent polo, name badge, training material and one-year Docent annual dues.

The next ten-week docent training will start on September 15, 2011 and if you are interested, please complete the contact info form and you will be contacted about 2 months before the class begins. If any enquiry, please call at (813) 935-8552 ext. 209, or email to jennifer.bacon@lowryparkzoo.com.

Contact Info Form

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P7SM2KN