Wildlife, Inclusion and Leadership Development
The award-winning W.I.L.D. Program was launched at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in 2016 to provide culturally-diverse teens in Jacksonville with innovative leadership and employment opportunities.
As employees of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the W.I.L.D. Program participants, all between the ages of 14 and 19*, serve as community ambassadors of the zoo and gardens. All programming that the teens develop are free and aim to bridge the accessibility gap of historically underserved neighborhoods, community-betterment organizations and youth that for varying reasons may have limited access to facilities such as JZG. These educational outreach programs aim to address the very real issue of promoting and re-imaging the campaign for environmental literacy.
While the teens involved become adept at environmental education, ultimately, the W.I.L.D. Program promotes self-awareness and confidence, broadens the teens’ capacity as emerging leaders, and builds an effective, inclusive team. These teens are the face of the zoo in their community, and voice of their generation for the environment.
Here at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, we’re always looking for great talent to add to our current team. Although hiring happens in a yearly cycle, we welcome interested teens to reach out and show their interest in joining the program year round! So, if you are a teen between the ages of 14 – 19* who would be an asset to our team, contact us at wildprogram@jacksonvillezoo.org!
*The typical hiring age is 14. Given our hiring cyle, we do understand some students have birthdays that are after. Therefore, we do have students who have been hired at the age of 13. Nonetheless, all students must be entering high school the following semester or quarter after hired.
Interested in joining the W.I.L.D. Team?
The program hires on a yearly basis, every Spring. Stay tuned for open applications in February 2023!
Qualified Teens will....
- Be at least 14 years old OR entering high school during the 2022-2023 school year
- Be returning to highschool for the 2022-2023 school year
- Be committed to working 8 hours/week during the school year and up to 40 hours/week during summer break
- Commit to the team for AT LEAST one year, preferrably more!
- Be willing to make friends, memories and gain important and applicable life skills!
For any additional questions, email us at wildprogram@jacksonvillezoo.org
Questions?
Please contact us at wildprogram@jacksonvillezoo.org
Looking for more opportunities for teens?
Check out our Volunteer Progams