From Intern to Keeper

Jacob’s Volunteer Journey

By Alyssa Knowlton, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a keeper at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens? These crucial employees come from a variety of backgrounds, but all bring an abundance of experience and knowledge to provide the best care for our animals. Many gain this experience and knowledge from previous volunteer and internship opportunities before moving on to full-time positions. This is exactly what Jacob Brown did to achieve his goal of becoming a keeper.

Jacob worked in the restaurant industry before he decided to pursue a career in animal husbandry. After attending a one-year program at the Florida International Teaching Zoo (FITZ), Jacob sought out internship opportunities to capitalize on the information he gained through that course. Knowing he would have to earn his keep, Jacob submitted his application to our unpaid mammal keeper internship. After an interview and some waiting, Jacob received news that he was selected for the internship and would be working in Mammals Area 3 caring for the animals in Wild Florida and African Forest. The internship not only provided him the opportunity to implement the skills he gained through FITZ, but he also learned more about how to properly care, clean, and support a wide range of animals.

Jacob started in early January 2020, and unfortunately, had a few weeks left of his internship when the Zoo closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When we reopened, our internship program was still on a hiatus, although volunteers were able to return. Jacob became one of those few to return, but this time as a volunteer. Even though this was a role vastly different than Jacob was used to, he was able to adapt and become one of the most dependable volunteers during that time. Jacob used our Exhibit Host volunteer role to sharpen his public speaking skills and expanded his animal knowledge beyond the animals in his internship area. While volunteering as an Exhibit Host, Jacob was able to educate the public through his passion. This is something many people do not think of as being part of a keeper’s job, however it is so important to educate every guest about these animals to form a connection with people and the animals that we care for. Jacob volunteered for over 120 hours in a two-month span. He stayed in contact with the keepers he previously worked with and continued to express his interest and desire to join their team. This perseverance and dedication to the Zoo paid off when an Assistant Keeper position opened, and Jacob applied. Since the keeper staff knew his work and enthusiasm, it was an easy decision to hire Jacob in July. Jacob currently works primarily with our Manatee Critical Care Center but extends a helpful hand to any mammal keeper that needs it, and he loves the day-to-day actions he experiences. Now, well over a year since he started his journey at the Zoo, he has accomplished his goal in becoming a keeper, but does not intend to stop there. Jacob hopes to one day work with the primates and continue his career at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens—one that started with an internship and volunteering.