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City of Manhattan Kansas

Municipal government in the Kansas Flint Hills

Animal Keeper Intern

InternshipUpdated on 10/23/2026
$12/hr+ College course credit
Manhattan, KS, USA
In Person
Medical, Clinical & Veterinary

About the job

Requirements
  • A high school diploma, GED, or equivalent is required.
  • The selected candidate may be required to pass a tuberculosis test.
  • A valid driver's license is required.
  • Candidates must be at least 18 years old.
Responsibilities
  • Assist with general labor duties related to care of multi-class and multi-genera animals, including diet preparation, feeding animals, cleaning exhibits, and maintaining service and public areas.
  • Lift hay bales, grain sacks, and other equipment as needed.
  • Perform ground maintenance in animal areas and around the zoo.
  • Use and wear applicable personal protective equipment required in hazardous environments and emergency situations.
  • Operate tools and equipment, including weed eaters, saws, basic hand tools, and basic power tools.
  • Operate vehicles, such as dump trucks and motorized carts, as needed.
  • Maintain records, maintenance logs, and activity records using mobile and stationary electronic devices such as computers and tablets.
  • Communicate orally and in writing, including using the telephone and two-way radio.
  • Represent the City of Manhattan professionally and courteously with the public and other City employees.
  • Assist supervisors and other departmental personnel with projects for the benefit of the City or department.
  • Comprehend and learn standardized work procedures and practices.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
Desired Qualifications
  • Six months of experience in domestic or exotic animal care.
  • One year of college education or 15 hours of college credit in animal/wildlife, environmental/conservation, natural resources, education, psychology, or sociology-related courses; some training may be provided.
  • CPR/First Aid certification; Parks and Recreation can provide this.

About the company

C

City of Manhattan Kansas

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City of Manhattan Kansas runs local government services to protect public safety and maintain infrastructure for residents and businesses in northeastern Kansas. Its public attractions include Sunset Zoo and the Flint Hills Discovery Center, alongside community parks and recreation programs. City departments fight fires, maintain streets and run water and wastewater utilities, while administering building permits, land-use planning and the regional airport. An elected commission sets policy and appoints a city manager to run operations, funded by taxes, utility charges, service fees and grants. The city government was chartered in 1857 and is based in Manhattan, Kansas.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

Grant

Total Funding

$10K

Headquarters

Manhattan, Kansas

Founded

1857

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • The 2026 budget adds $1 million for Water Treatment Plant Filter Rehabilitation.
  • Commission-approved water CIP bundling speeds construction and modernizes aging infrastructure.
  • Storm response work in June 2026 shows the city can mobilize crews quickly.

What critics are saying

  • 2027 budgets face backlash after a 3-2 vote capped average property-tax increases at 6.7%.
  • Water and wastewater rates rose in 2026, squeezing households and inviting political resistance.
  • A major water or sewer failure would cripple service delivery and trigger regulatory scrutiny.

What makes City of Manhattan Kansas unique

  • Manhattan runs integrated water, wastewater, stormwater, and fire services for 50,000-plus residents.
  • The 2026 budget totals $244.1 million, funding core services and major infrastructure.
  • City leadership uses long-range CIP planning and grant-backed projects like park and zoo upgrades.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Wellness Program
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Education Reimbursement
  • Professional Development Budget

Company News

Odessa American
Aug 16th, 2024
Utilities director quits at City of Odessa

The City of Manhattan, Kansas, announced Thursday that Utilities Director Kevin Niles has been named the Director of Public Utilities for that city with an anticipated start date of Sept. 3.