Internships

Animal Care

The animal care internship program is a husbandry-based experience that will provide foundational knowledge and skill set needed to enter the animal care field. Interns will rotate through the different sections of the zoo working alongside animal care specialists and independently as well.  Interns assist with the daily husbandry routines, diet preparation and distribution, enrichment distribution and evaluation, behavioral observations, and public education spotlights.  Interns will also observe operant conditioning sessions with a multitude of species.

Summer, Spring, and Fall internships have a 240 hour requirement. Interns are asked to work 8:30 am to 5:30 pm or 7:30 am to 4:30 pm depending on time of year,

Winter internships have a 120 hour requirement.

This internship provides those who are new to the field of unsure of their career path an opportunity to explore the field of animal care.

This is an unpaid internship. Interns must be at least 18 years of age and enrolled in an accredited college or university.  Preference will be given to those enrolled in program relevant to animal care.  Interns must provide proof of a negative TB test from within the past 12 months of their first day of the internship.

Individuals interested in an animal care internship should send a cover letter and resume to:

Allison Finch, Animal Care Internship Coordinator
animalcareinternships@rossparkzoo.org

Deadlines (please indicate in your cover letter which semester you are applying for):

Fall Semester (September – December): May 15th
Winter Semester (December – January): September 15th
Spring Semester (January – May): October 15th
Summer Semester (May – August): February 15th