Ecology Apprenticeship at The Wilds - Columbus Zoo Family of Parks

The Wilds is one of the largest and most innovative conservation centers in the world, offering diverse training programs for early career professionals. The Wilds has nearly 10,000 acres of reclaimed mineland and remnant forest patches that present multiple opportunities for field research in habitat restoration and wildlife monitoring. Additionally, Ecology facilities include a Hellbender Conservation Center, American Burying Beetle breeding center, and the Conservation Science Training Center which includes a population genetics laboratory. Restoration activities include prairie, wetland, stream, lake, forest, and forest understory management and research.

Ecology Apprentices can focus on either restoration or wildlife research, though experiences will overlap the two areas. Apprentices gain hands-on experience, participate in wildlife and vegetation studies, and receive field training on a variety of ecological studies in wetland, forest, stream, and grassland habitats, typically beyond their specific research focus.

• Wildlife Typical Tasks: Survey and monitoring for wildlife populations, assisting with Eastern hellbender and/or American burying beetle programs, habitat measurement, implementing habitat improvements and monitoring wildlife recovery, genetic analysis, population modeling, data analysis, and report writing.
• Restoration Typical Tasks: Implementing habitat improvements and monitoring ecosystem recovery through plant management, vegetation and wildlife surveys, environmental monitoring, photo point collection, data analysis, and report writing.
• Training: Field methods (species identification, survey protocols, research methodology), laboratory methods (genetic techniques, microscope work), GPS & GIS applications/map making, biological monitoring and application of wildlife research techniques and/or land management and restoration techniques.
• Apprentices will conduct an independent scientific research project and will communicate their findings to Wilds and Columbus Zoo employees at the end of their term.
• In 2024 we are offering
  • 4 6-month apprenticeships (May-Oct)
  • 2 Summer apprenticeships (June-Aug)

Please indicate in your cover letter which apprenticeship (wildlife or restoration) and timeline (6 months or summer) you are applying for.

• Second Year College Student or recent graduate (2 years or less) in Ecology, Biology, Natural Resource Management, Restoration, Wildlife Management, or related field.
• Ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm. Very occasionally on a weekend day if available.
• Ability to adhere to standard operating procedures including but not limited to safety protocols required.
• Position requires hiking and some physically demanding tasks, including outdoor work throughout the seasons. This may include hot, buggy, cold or otherwise challenging conditions. Participants should be prepared with appropriate field gear and footwear.
• Candidates should be eager for learning opportunities and willing to practice new skills independently. 
• Apprentices must be responsible, flexible, self-motivated, and able to work effectively with limited supervision, as well as in a team setting.
• Able to lift and move up to 10lbs. constantly, 30lbs. frequently, and 50lbs. occasionally.
• Possession of a valid current state issued motor vehicle operator’s license and a good driving record required.
• Ability to arrange for their own transportation.
• Able to balance multiple assignments successfully.
• Ability to adhere to the Wilds drug-free workplace policy.
• Ability to successfully complete a criminal history background check.

Apprentices do not receive monetary compensation; however, the position allows participants to customize their apprenticeship to gain and enhance skills that will be most beneficial for their future careers and is particularly well suited to prepare participants for graduate school or work in a conservation organization. Opportunities for school credit are available. Free on-site housing is available.

Application Requests: When applying, please submit your resume with references and a cover letter. Please outline your interest in the position, what you would hope to gain from it, and how your prior experience makes you an ideal candidate. Please be sure to specify which focal priority (restoration or wildlife) you are most interested in and whether you are applying for the 6 month or summer apprenticeship.

All apprenticeships at the Wilds are competitive and we value placing individuals in programs that suit their career goals.

Housing: Free on-site shared housing is available.

Transportation: Students must provide their own transportation.

Insurance: Students must provide their own health and driving insurance.

Expenses: Students are responsible for all expenses.

Schedule: Five days per week, M-F 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. Very occasionally on a weekend day if available.

Start and End Dates: 6-month apprenticeships run May 1^st to October 31^st; Summer apprenticeships run June 1^st to August 31^st. There is flexibility in start and end dates depending on school schedules if applicable.