This position is only available to candidates pursuing a degree from a Community College in Metro Denver or Metro State University
Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA)is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, and education. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission of Inspiring Communities to Save Wildlife for Future Generations.
DZCA honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions -- Inspire Awe: Safety, Care, Connect and by embracing our Core Values of: Welcoming, United, Curious, Courageous and Transformative in all that we do.
Denver Zoo will host this internship in collaboration withDenver Mountain Parksand theDenver Mountain Parks Foundation. As a part of Denver Parks and Recreation, Denver Mountain Parks contains more than 14,000 acres of parklands outside the City and County of Denver. Denver Mountain Parks strives to make these spaces easily accessible to residents and visitors, while protecting critical wildlife habitat, watersheds, and scenic views. Denver Mountain Parks Foundation partners with Denver Parks and Recreation to fulfill the Foundation’s mission to restore the historical integrity, relevance, quality, and appreciation for Denver’s Mountain Parks System. The DMPF also works to ensure that Denver Mountain Parks persist as a recreational, educational, and open space resource for the citizens of Denver and its visitors.
TheDenver Mountain Parks Foundation Conservation Internwill help both DZCA and Denver Mountain Parks with field research, data organization and analysis, community engagement, collaborative conservation, and science communication. During the academic year (January - May 2025), the intern will work for 10 hours/week. These hours will increase to 40 hours/week during the summer field season (May-October 2025). The intern will spend the vast majority (80â90%) of their time on DMP projects, focusing on tasks such as: 1) reviewing wildlife photos to understand the effects of mountain lion urine on big horn sheep and mountain goat presence in parking lots at Summit Lake on Mt Evans; 2) collecting plant data to understand how herbicide and biocontrols (e.g., insects) mitigate invasive plants in Daniels Park; and 3) helping construct grazing enclosures to see how plants respond when small (rabbits and hares) and large (bison) grazers are removed. The student will also gain exposure to a broader array of DZ’s conservation projects across Colorado, including the Colorado Pika Project, Boreal Toad Recovery Project, and Colorado Corridors Project.
Interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter highlighting their interest in the position and career goals.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Priority 1 - Participate in field work (May-October 2025) that will possibly entail hiking and building/repairing structures at field sites 8-12 hours a day for 1-5 days/week.
- Reviewing wildlife photos to understand the effects of mountain lion urine on big horn sheep and mountain goat presence in parking lots at Summit Lake on Mt Evans;
- Collecting plant data to understand how herbicide and biocontrols (e.g., insects) mitigate invasive plants in Daniels Park
- Helping construct grazing exclosures to see how plants respond when small (rabbits and hares) and large (bison) grazers are removed. The student will also gain exposure to a broader array of DZ’s conservation projects across Colorado, including the Colorado Pika Project, Boreal Toad Recovery Project, and Colorado Corridors Project.
Priority 2 - Help to organize and review data from Zoo conservation projects conducted on Denver Mountain Parks property, in addition to other Colorado-based projects
Priority 3 - Learn to analyze data from conservation projects
Priority 4 - Communicate findings to Zoo staff, Denver Mountain Parks, and Denver Mountain Parks Foundation
Other Duties/Responsibilities
- Other assistance, as assigned to the Denver Mountain Parks Conservation Intern, to support the overall goals of the department and organization. Denver Zoo retains the right to add or change duties and/or responsibilities at any time.
- Responsibility for Confidentiality: The nature of this position requires safeguarding against the release of confidential and proprietary information of Denver Zoo, Denver Mountain Parks, and Denver Mountain Parks Foundation.
- This position will interact with managers at all levels and staff members across the organization, in addition to Denver Mountain Parks, Denver Mountain Parks Foundation, members of other external organizations, and the public.
Technical / Professional Requirements & Qualifications
- Education: In pursuit of a college degree from a community college in Metro Denver or Metro State University required.
- We aim to provide the intern with the skills necessary to work in the field of conservation. Thus, the intern should be interested in pursuing a career in conservation biology, ecology, restoration, or similar field.
- Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite are preferred.
- Requires organizational skills, written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize work and tasks.
- Requires adaptability to produce and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-task and changing environment, and the ability to work as part of a team.
- Requires the ability to embrace, support, and integrate Denver Zoo’s philosophies to promote and demonstrate its commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and anti-racism.
Position Conditions
- Ability to pass a background check, and pre-employment drug and alcohol screen.
- Clear driving record
- Schedule Availability: This is a dynamic position that may require working long hours, evenings, and weekends.
Compensation
Hourly rate: $19.20
Benefits
Internships are not eligible for benefits at this time.
Application Process and Timelines
Resumes / Completed applications must be submitted by December 27th, 2024. Review of applications will begin immediately. Denver Zoo reserves the right to close the position prior to this date.
- Applicants must submit a cover letter with resume to be considered.
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those with lived experience with racism and/or misogynoir are encouraged to apply for this role.
Denver Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status or any other characteristic protected by law.
www.denverzoo.org
