W.I.L.D. Steward (Seasonal/Part-Time)

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens • Part-time • Jacksonville, Florida • 4h ago

Application Deadline: This position will remain open until 22 February 2026, or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. We reserve the right to close the posting early if a well-qualified candidate pool has been established. Early submission is encouraged.

Join us in the award-winning Wildlife Inclusion and Leadership Development W.I.L.D. Program launched at the Zoo in 2016 to provide culturally diverse teens in Jacksonville with innovative leadership and employment opportunities. Wildlife Immersion and Leadership Development (W.I.L.D.) will introduce participants to wildlife, nature, and life skills while preparing them for a career.

W.I.L.D. Stewards are Duval County teens (grade 9-12) who will work with Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens staff to build and strengthen their skills in leadership and interpretation. This is an interactive job training and shadowing opportunity working with all ages. The program provides an opportunity to develop on the job training with public speaking skills, educational presentations with the aid of biofacts, and live

animals. Training and development of skills within the organization with staff dedicated to mentoring W.I.L.D. Program. Our stewards assist and participate in a wide variety of both on and offsite programming, special events, community events, and Immersion Trips; this includes planning, prepping, and execution of the required tasks. Stewards will also fulfill other job duties and responsibilities as assigned and required. More information https://www.jacksonvillezoo.org/wild-program.

What you bring:

Willing to make friends, memories, and gain important and applicable life skills.
Enthusiastic to communicate and speak in a public setting.
Eager to proactively plan and utilize interpersonal skills.
Age 14 years old and entering 10th, 11th or 12th grade in Duval County for current school year.
A resident or attend school in one of the following zip codes: 32202, 32205, 32206, 32208, 32209, 32210, 32211, 32218, 32244 or 32254.
Available to work up to 35 hours per week during Summer break (June 11, 2026 to August 11, 2026).
Available to work up to 8 hours per week during school year (August 2026 to May 2027).
Ability to work weekends, some weekdays, evenings, and holidays.
Ability to access reliable transportation for timely pick-up/drop-off. JZBG provides a Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) bus pass to those selected.
Pre-Employment Requirements: Candidates selected for this position must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings prior to their start date. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory to ensure the safety of staff, animals, and visitors. These include:
- Level II, Criminal Background Check (fingerprinting)
- 5 panel drug screen

Identification & Employment Eligibility: This grant-funded position requires the ability to complete pre-employment requirements, including the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification. Participants must be able to provide acceptable identification, which may include a government-issued photo ID (such as a state ID or passport) or other federally approved documents, to verify identity and authorization to work in the United States, in accordance with I-9 regulations and age-appropriate allowances for minors.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to remain standing for extended periods.
Requires hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills for tasks such as grasping, turning, and manipulating objects of varying size and weight.
Ability to lift, carry, and move objects up to 20lbs pounds.
Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, such as to walk, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, reach, digging trenches to lay conduit or moving or lifting heavy objects.
Requires visual acuity for reading, writing, and observing surroundings, and auditory acuity for communication.
Ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Ability to work from ladders, scaffolds, or roofs to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
Ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

WORK CONDITIONS

Exposure to various weather conditions, including extreme heat, sunlight, cold, rain, snow, and wind.
Potential exposure to allergens (dust, animal dander, pollen, etc.), bloodborne pathogens, zoonotic diseases and injuries from animals.
Irregular work hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays are sometimes required.
Exposure to hazards such wildlife, waste, equipment, loud noises, chemicals, and heights.
Working in small, enclosed areas.

We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment regulations

EOE / DRUG FREE WORKPLACE