Intern, Animal Training Dolphins

Georgia Aquarium’s Animal Training internship is designed for college students and recent graduates to gain valuable experience with common bottlenose dolphins. This program offers interns hands-on experience in the marine mammal training field. Interns are exposed to animal care and training activities related to common bottlenose dolphins. Interns work directly with the training staff and are exposed to all aspects of the daily care and training of common bottlenose dolphins. This internship will give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields where they are considering pursuing careers.

Responsibilities

Interns will:

1. Interact with and learn from the Animal Training staff about animal conditioning of dolphins for both presentation and guest interaction programs.
2. Learn area responsibilities that directly benefit the animals, which include diet preparation and feeding, water sampling, commissary clean-up, exhibit/area maintenance, behavioral observations, environmental enrichment, data recording, assisting trainers with animal training and handling, and other duties as assigned.
3. Partake in departmental intern development curriculum, including natural history, theories of animal behavior, fish handling, safety, and a diverse 9-week lecture series presented by intern mentors. Each intern must demonstrate proficiency in every module by completing written exams, tests, and quizzes.
4. Interact with guests and crew members in a positive and professional manner.
5. Learn and understand all safety procedures.
6. Watch and critique presentations from both the audience and backstage weekly.
7. Perform other duties as workload necessitates.
8. Support the team, as needed, with presentation, animal training, and husbandry sessions.

Qualifications

1. This internship requires a regular schedule of 5 days per week and may include weekends and holidays. Average hours per week are 40.
2. Must have a high school diploma or GED.
3. Must be a junior or higher in college, preferred major in animal science, biology, zoology, psychology, or related field.
4. Strong desire to gain valuable experience working with marine mammals.
5. Independent worker and team player.
6. Hardworking, dependable, and time efficient.
7. Legally able to work in the United States without restriction.
8. Comfortability with swimming and working in and around saltwater.
9. Ability to lift 50lbs, stand/kneel/squat for extended periods, comfortably climb stairs and ladders, and handle raw fish.
10. This is an experience-based, paid internship.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear, taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.        

Commitment

I commit to Georgia Aquarium, Inc. to be a part of the following:

Vision:  To be the Premier Aquarium in the World for Science, Entertainment, Education and Conservation.

Values: Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Innovation, Leadership, Excellence, Appreciation & Inclusion

Mission: Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and Aquatic animals worldwide.