[SDI-Africa] Savanna Guides – Internship Opportunity – Walt Disney World, US

[Kate Lance]

[Source: African Conservation Foundation Forum]
 
Savanna Guides – Internship Opportunity – Walt Disney World, US
 
Internship opportunity for African Nationals in the field of conservation to come to the US for one year and work at our African themed safari lodge. 
Some of you may have already heard about this program as it has existed for a number of years. At Walt Disney World, we have four large amusement parks, several water parks, shopping districts, and more than 20 hotels and resorts. Each location on our property is specifically themed to a particular area or experience. One of the hotels, the Animal Kingdom Lodge, was constructed in 2001 and was designed to simulate an African safari lodge experience. The hotel is built in the middle of a large savanna which houses more than 200 African animals.
Disney has a very strong commitment to wildlife and as a result we try to take advantage of every opportunity to participate in both conservation science and education. We conduct behavioral research both on our property (in addition to the Lodge, we also have a 500 acre theme park dedicated to animals), as well as in the wild (by financially supporting in-situ research projects on every continent). The education is carried out by our team of Savanna Guides.
Savanna Guides
The Savanna Guide team is made up of African cultural representatives who come to work at Disney for a one year paid internship. We teach them everything we know about not only the hospitality business, but also about effective communication, education, leadership, and interpretive techniques. After completing the training program, these employees are stationed out in the animal overlook areas to talk with our guests about the wildlife, educate them about conservation, and share information about the cultures of the areas they come from. The Savanna Guide program has been extremely successful so far and we are looking to expand the program and refine the type of candidate we hire. 
Traditionally, Disney hires employees from all over the world to work in our Epcot park, which has a variety of international pavilions (Germany, Japan, Morocco, Canada, Italy, UK, China, etc.). The Savanna Guide role is a bit different, as we try to employ people who are interested in returning to their country of origin specifically to pursue careers within the fields of wildlife conservation, safari guiding, biology, research, zoos, etc. 
Though Disney is primarily an entertainment company, the animal programs department is made up of wildlife and conservation professionals who have been recruited from all over North America. As a result, our department is extremely passionate about advancing the field of conservation. We take great pride and pleasure each year in training our new team of Guides, and sending them back out in the world to spread what they've learned and the passion they were born with. 
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna Guide Program
- Paid internship in which employees work an average of 38-40 hours per week
- Disney sponsors employees for a 12 month Q-1 visa
- Disney pays the employees airfare to the States and helps them create a savings account from their earnings to ensure they have funds for the return trip
- Guides receive full medical/dental insurance after 90 days of employment
- Guides are housed in Disney apartments or flats with other international program employees from around the world, providing a truly unique living and learning opportunity
- Transportation to and from work as well as local necessities and entertainment is provided seven days a week. 
- Disney subsidizes the employee’s rent and transportation, but an additional amount is deducted from their paychecks each week to cover the remainder
- Employees are given access to all Disney facilities throughout the year (free admission to the theme parks, discounts on hotel stays, merchandise, etc.)
- Guides are given ample opportunity throughout the year to travel and see the United States, but are required to make the job their primary focus
- All Guides receive not only an intensive three week training program when they first arrive, but also a series of classes, lectures, and interactive continuing education opportunities throughout the year to help foster their professional development
- Guides are also eligible to take university level courses, through Disney, on topics including Hospitality Management, Communication, Human Resources Management, etc…

Applications
We come to southern Africa each year in September to recruit. Most often we make stops in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Gaborone, Maun, and Windhoek. 
This year (2007) we are looking to expand our contacts and attempt to broaden the pool of candidates who can take the rich experience we provide and use it to help enhance these fields. We are therefore looking for candidates from East, West, Central and Southern Africa.
Applicants will be invited to attend one of the presentations and interviews for the position. 
Our next recruiting trip will be in September 2007. Deadline for application letters and CVs: 15 August 2007.
For more information and applications, please contact:
Stu Levine 
Animal Programs 
Education Manager 
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge 
Email: Stuart.P.Levine at disney.com


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