What are the responsibilities and job description for the City of Little Rock Zoo Summer Internship Program - Conservation Education Internships position at Little Rock Zoo?
Location
Little Rock, AR
Job Type
Unpaid Internship
Job Number
ZO-2025-01
Department
Zoo - Intern
Opening Date
01/08/2025
Closing Date
3/1/2025 11:59 PM Central
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit
N/A
Supervisory Responsibility?
No
On-Line Applications Only?
Yes
Department
City of Little Rock Zoo
Grade
999
Job Objective & Safety/Security Sensitive Designation
The Little Rock Zoo is now accepting applications for 2025 conservation education internships. The Zoo is seeking dependable, hardworking college students interested in the fields of animal care, education, and research. Interns will gain valuable experience with zoo research by training with professional zoo educators, scientists, and husbandry staff.
Interns will receive a stipend with housing options sponsored by the Arkansas Zoological Foundation. Selected interns will be given the option of a $3,000 stipend without housing OR a $1,000 stipend including UALR dorm housing. Transportation is the responsibility of the intern.
The 2025 summer internship term will begin with orientation on Monday June 2, 2025, continuing through the end of July. End dates may be no earlier than July 27th and no later than July 31st without approval.
This position is not designated as a safety/security sensitive position and is not subject to random drug and alcohol screening.
Essential Functions
Conservation Education Internships
Little Rock Zoo’s Conservation Education department is looking for highly motivated individuals to join our summer internship program. Interns will gain experience in program development and facilitation while exploring best practices in guest engagement, interpretation, and conservation messaging as it relates to wildlife and environmental topics.
Interns will assist staff with Zoofari day camp, early childhood programs, awareness day events, ambassador animal presentations and other educational experiences. Candidates applying for this internship should be comfortable interacting with diverse audiences, presenting in front of crowds, and enjoy working with children. Tasks may require some strenuous activity, so candidates should be in good health and be able to apply safe working practices. Interns will also have the opportunity to learn about zoo management and animal welfare topics through lectures and activities offered throughout the summer.
Conservation Education Interns will have three learning tracks available to choose from as their primary focus during their summer:
Conservation Education Interns will also learn about and may be trained to handle some ambassador animals; however, this is not a keeper internship and animal interaction will be limited. Those with an interest in animal husbandry may find the Animal Care Internship to be a more suitable option.
Commitments
Minimum Qualifications, Additional Requirements and Supervisory Responsibilities
City of Little Rock temporary employees, volunteers or interns do not receive any additional benefits (leave, insurance or retirement/pension).
01
Are you willing and able to work weekends, holidays and nights? (NOTE: The zoo is open everyday except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day)
Why do you want to be an intern for the City of Little Rock Zoo this summer?
03
Do you have a Bachelor's degree in the following areas?
Have you completed at least four (4) semesters of college in the field indicated above?
What learning track are you most interested in pursuing?
Does your grade point average (GPA) reflect at least a 2.5? You must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher to be considered for an internship at the City of Little Rock Zoo and transcripts must be provided.
What stipend option will you be requesting?
Will you be able to provide documentation on your vaccinations, recent physical and a negative TB test (dated within 6 months). Documentation will be required the first day of the internship term.
Are you willing and available to work 36 - 40 hours per week starting the week of June 2, 2025?
Are you available to attend the mandatory orientation on June 2, 2025?
How did you find out about this particular position?
Agency City of Little Rock
Department Zoo - Intern Address Zoo Drive
Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201
Website https://www.littlerock.gov/city-administration/city-departments/zoo/
Little Rock, AR
Job Type
Unpaid Internship
Job Number
ZO-2025-01
Department
Zoo - Intern
Opening Date
01/08/2025
Closing Date
3/1/2025 11:59 PM Central
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit
N/A
Supervisory Responsibility?
No
On-Line Applications Only?
Yes
Department
City of Little Rock Zoo
Grade
999
- Description
- Benefits
- Questions
Job Objective & Safety/Security Sensitive Designation
The Little Rock Zoo is now accepting applications for 2025 conservation education internships. The Zoo is seeking dependable, hardworking college students interested in the fields of animal care, education, and research. Interns will gain valuable experience with zoo research by training with professional zoo educators, scientists, and husbandry staff.
Interns will receive a stipend with housing options sponsored by the Arkansas Zoological Foundation. Selected interns will be given the option of a $3,000 stipend without housing OR a $1,000 stipend including UALR dorm housing. Transportation is the responsibility of the intern.
The 2025 summer internship term will begin with orientation on Monday June 2, 2025, continuing through the end of July. End dates may be no earlier than July 27th and no later than July 31st without approval.
This position is not designated as a safety/security sensitive position and is not subject to random drug and alcohol screening.
Essential Functions
Conservation Education Internships
Little Rock Zoo’s Conservation Education department is looking for highly motivated individuals to join our summer internship program. Interns will gain experience in program development and facilitation while exploring best practices in guest engagement, interpretation, and conservation messaging as it relates to wildlife and environmental topics.
Interns will assist staff with Zoofari day camp, early childhood programs, awareness day events, ambassador animal presentations and other educational experiences. Candidates applying for this internship should be comfortable interacting with diverse audiences, presenting in front of crowds, and enjoy working with children. Tasks may require some strenuous activity, so candidates should be in good health and be able to apply safe working practices. Interns will also have the opportunity to learn about zoo management and animal welfare topics through lectures and activities offered throughout the summer.
Conservation Education Interns will have three learning tracks available to choose from as their primary focus during their summer:
- Early learners and nature play
- Program evaluation
- Community and partnership-based programs
Conservation Education Interns will also learn about and may be trained to handle some ambassador animals; however, this is not a keeper internship and animal interaction will be limited. Those with an interest in animal husbandry may find the Animal Care Internship to be a more suitable option.
Commitments
Minimum Qualifications, Additional Requirements and Supervisory Responsibilities
- Available to attend Intern orientation on June 2nd – Orientation is Mandatory
- Able to work 36-40 hours per week for a minimum of 8 consecutive weeks beginning the week of June 2nd (minimum 280 hours completed). Available to work weekends and holidays
- Positive attitude, willingness to learn, and strong work ethic
- Ability to work in outdoor conditions and be comfortable navigating uneven terrain
- Comfortable working in a team setting and taking on individual tasks and responsibilities
- College student or recent graduate majoring in education, biology, or a related field
- Must have completed a minimum of 4 semesters at the start of the internship
- Student in good standing, GPA 2.5 or higher
- Ability to safely lift up to 50lbs, or ask for assisted two-person carry
- Acceptance into the program is contingent on passing a background check, physical, and negative TB test (dated within 6 months of start date.) Documentation will be required on the first day of the internship term.
- ONLY On-Line Applications Accepted. All of the below documents are required when you submit the application.
- Resume (required at time of application)
- Letter of interest (i.e. cover letter) including dates of availability (please include any prior obligations and time off requirements)
- School transcript (may be unofficial) (required at time of application)
- Names and email addresses of 2 references (required at time of application)
City of Little Rock temporary employees, volunteers or interns do not receive any additional benefits (leave, insurance or retirement/pension).
01
Are you willing and able to work weekends, holidays and nights? (NOTE: The zoo is open everyday except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day)
- Yes
- No
Why do you want to be an intern for the City of Little Rock Zoo this summer?
03
Do you have a Bachelor's degree in the following areas?
- Zoology
- Biology
- Education
- Natural History
- Animal related degree
- No related degree, but I have completed related coursework.
- No related Education
Have you completed at least four (4) semesters of college in the field indicated above?
- Yes
- No
What learning track are you most interested in pursuing?
- Early Learners and Nature Play
- Program Evaluation
- Community and Partnership-based Programs
- Undecided
Does your grade point average (GPA) reflect at least a 2.5? You must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher to be considered for an internship at the City of Little Rock Zoo and transcripts must be provided.
- Yes
- No
What stipend option will you be requesting?
- Full Stipend
- Partial stipend plus UALR campus housing
- Undecided
Will you be able to provide documentation on your vaccinations, recent physical and a negative TB test (dated within 6 months). Documentation will be required the first day of the internship term.
- Yes
- No
Are you willing and available to work 36 - 40 hours per week starting the week of June 2, 2025?
- Yes
- No
Are you available to attend the mandatory orientation on June 2, 2025?
- Yes
- No
How did you find out about this particular position?
- LRJobs.LittleRock.gov
- Facebook/Social Media
- Arkansas Business
- KARK4/FOX16 Social Media Live
- Newspaper (Arkansas Democrat Gazette or El Latino)
- City Employee
- Friend or relative who does not work for the City
- Internet Search Engine (Google, Yahoo, Bing)
- Career Builder/Indeed
- Government Jobs
- Indeed
- College/University Career Page
- Career Fair
- Virtual Job Fair
- Career Counselor (Military or Goodwill, Workforce)
- Re-entry Program (Community Programs)
- Department of Workforce Services
- AZA
- Other
Agency City of Little Rock
Department Zoo - Intern Address Zoo Drive
Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201
Website https://www.littlerock.gov/city-administration/city-departments/zoo/
