Education
Secondary School Work Experience Programme
Auckland Zoo offers a limited number of work experience
placements for secondary school students who have expressed a keen
interest in pursuing a career in conservation, zoo keeping,
animal care or horticulture.
Work experience at Auckland Zoo is voluntary and unpaid, catering
for students enrolled in a New Zealand secondary school in Year 12
or Year 13.
Successful applicants will be placed in one of
four, week-long work experience opportunities (one each term from
Wednesday to Sunday). During this week, students will work in
two contrasting sections of the Zoo.
In 2012, this also includes an opportunity for one
student per term who is interested in working alongside our
horticulture team. Horticulture placements may also have the
opportunity to spend some of their week on an animal section.
Students need to be aware that this is active work experience, not just observation. As such, it can be physically challenging and involves getting dirty!
The work that students undertake to assist keepers may include:
- Cleaning and maintaining enclosures
- Preparing food and feeding animals
- Observing animals and recording behaviour
The work that students undertake to assist the horticulture team may include:
- Assisting with the maintenance to gardens in the grounds or enclosures (e.g. weeding, mulching)
- Possible planting of garden areas
Work experience at Auckland Zoo allows students to:
- Observe a variety of work being done and undertake supervised work appropriate to the student's skill level
- Work alongside zoo keepers and/or horticulture staff
-
Find out about training and employment opportunities
Placement dates and application form
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Successful applicants will attend one of:
Term 1 (Wednesday 21 - Sunday 25 March)
Term 2 (Wednesday 16 - Sunday 20 May)
Term 3 (Wednesday 25 - Sunday 29 July)
Term 4 Wednesday 5 - Sunday 9 December)
Hours: Wednesday, 9am - 4.30pm (first day commences with an induction programme. Thursday - Sunday, 8am - 4.30pm (same hours as keepers).
Click here to download the application form (pdf)
Auckland Zoo staff look forward to working with students who show a keen interest in conservation, are motivated, keen to learn, and are willing to work hard.
Work experience application procedure
Students are required to complete an Auckland Zoo
work experience application form. All of the fields in the
application must be completed including student details and school
details in order to be considered for a work experience placement
at Auckland Zoo. Following the closing date for applications,
students may also be required for an interview in person or over
the phone.
Applications close Friday, 24 February, 2012
Please post completed applications to:
Nathalia Jellyman
Discovery and Learning Centre, Auckland Zoo
Private Bag
Grey Lynn, 1245
Auckland
Auckland Zoo's work experience coordinator for school students will determine successful student placements. Successful applicants will be notified and sent all relevant information regarding their placement.
Please note:
- Transport and accommodation is the responsibility of the student
- Work experience is not suitable for weekly Gateway work experience placements
- As many zoo keeping tasks are physically challenging, students need to be fit and able to carry out duties across a full working week