Training Internships
Topic outline
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AVAILABLE Learning Department Volunteer Internship Opportunity
April-Sept 2023 (3-5 month internship) Deadline 1st May
We are offering a 3–5-month unpaid Internship placement on our Learning Department within Jersey Zoo from early April till end of August 2023. This is an amazing opportunity for someone looking to gain experience and develop the skills needed for a career in Zoos or Conservation Education/Communication. Applicants must have a passion for engaging with the public about conservation and the natural world.
Interns will get to take part in all activities of the Learning Department including assisting with formal taught session of local children, helping build and run fun engaging informal education events with the public. This summer our intern will get to help the team run the tortoise takeover, which is an island wide sculpture trail. They will also help us carry out research to evaluate the impact of this events on public nature connection levels.
Eligible applicants must commit to training 5 days a week from 8am-1730 for a minimum of 3 months. Interns will join a community of 10 other Zoo interns working in the animal department and will be provided with free lunches, uniform, and bus travel.
The ideal candidate must be 18yrs+ and would be doing/or have completed a relevant degree/diploma in an animal/science/teaching related topic or can demonstrate previous work experience in relevant areas such as public engagement or working with children.
To apply for this unpaid role, please send a covering letter and CV to gale.glendewar@durrell.org and include detail about the length of placement you want and the dates you are available.
Deadline for applications 1st May 2023 however the role will be filled on a first come basis so get it in quick to be in with a chance.
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Interested in a volunteer training opportunity to gain the skills required to work with critically endangered species in a conservation focused Zoo.
Am I eligible to apply?Applicants must be over 18 years and studying or have completed their studies in a relevant subject (degree or diploma level) and/or can demonstrate their passion for working in a zoo or conservation environment. For our field programme internship (with red-billed choughs), you must be over the age of 21 years and have held a driving license for a minimum of 6 months.
Where can I train?
Interns can train in any of the departments listed below. Click on the files below to read more about what training you might receive in that department and who this placement would suit. Please be aware that many of the departments can only accept one student at a time, so although we try and cater for everyone's first choice of department, this may not always be possible.
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Sounds great, when can I start?
Internship training posts are filled a year in advance, so all positions for August 2023-August 2024 are currently filled. Applications for the next cohort closed on 1st December. Keep an eye on our Home page of our Durrell Conservation Academy Facebook Page for any announcements of slots opening up during the year.The next available internships will be July 2024 - August 2025 with applications open from September -1st December 2023
How long can my placement be?
The minimum requirement for placement is 6 months and the longest 12 month in length. Longer placements start between July - December, 6 month placement typically take start Dec-March but this can vary. Short placements (6-8 months in length) will take place in one department, applicants on placements longer than 9 months will expereince working on two different departments. Placements for all departments except the Learning Department* are available throughout the year * internships on the Learning Department are only available for 6 months between March-Sept 2025. Applicants must commit to a minimum of 6 months placement, although shorter 4-6 month placements become available adhoc.Will I be paid?
Unfortunately no, as Jersey Zoo is a charity our internship training programme is unpaid. Interns will be provided with a uniform and offered free bus travel to the zoo and a free lunch pass to eat lunch at our Cafe Dodo for the duration of their internship. As well as hand on experience, the interns will be provided with a lecture each month given by experts in their fields. Interns must be prepared to cover all other food, travel and accommodation costs for the duration of their placement. Unfortunately we do not offer scholarships for our Zoo Internships but students can use funding (e.g. ERASMUS) to cover their costs.Do you provide accommodation?
We do not provide accommodation, so Interns must arrange this for themselves. As Jersey is a costly island to live, we provide a list of affordable places in family homes that are commonly used by Interns each year. The approximate cost of this accommodation is £90-£120/week, which is significantly cheaper than the prices on the Jersey open market. Interns must confirm at interview that they are capable of paying these costs for the duration of the placement for which they have applied. Interns are responsible for arranging this accommodation with the providers themselves and to source their own alternatives if they are full up, or not to their liking.
Can I carry out a research project as part of an industry placement?
Yes, ee are a research focused organisation and welcome requests to carry out short projects during your placement. Projects will be assigned by our Head of Research Dr Eluned Price in agreement with the intern when they are on placement and this research can be carried out in tandem with the interns time on the animal departments. These vary according to season and cannot be arranged ahead of time. If you are interested in carrying our Research outside of an Internship Placement as part of BSc, MSc or PhD , please check out the Research placement tab above
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