What are the responsibilities and job description for the City of Little Rock Zoo Summer Internship Program - Intern position at Little Rock Zoo?
Location
Little Rock, AR
Job Type
Unpaid Internship
Job Number
ZO-2025-01
Department
Zoo - Intern
Opening Date
01/09/2025
Closing Date
3/1/2025 11:59 PM Central
FLSA
Determined by Position
Bargaining Unit
N/A
Supervisory Responsibility?
No
On-Line Applications Only?
Yes
Department
Zoo - Interns
Grade
999
Job Objective & Safety/Security Sensitive Designation
The Little Rock Zoo is now accepting applications for 2025 animal care 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
Animal Care Internships: Little Rock Zoo animal care interns work alongside the zoo’s animal keepers learning the ins and outs of animal husbandry in a zoological setting. Tasks may include but are not limited to feeding, cleaning, enrichment, training, exhibit maintenance, and public speaking. These duties include some strenuous activity so candidates should be in good health, capable of lifting up to 50lbs, and able to apply safe working practices. Suitable candidates must be positive and patient with well-developed observational skills and work ethic. Weekly schedule may vary so interns must be flexible; any possible conflicts must be mentioned prior to the acceptance of the position. Interns will also have the opportunity to learn about zoo management and animal welfare topics through lectures and activities offered throughout the summer
Animal Care Internship Types
Ambassador Animal Care Internship -
Species in the Ambassador Animal area include African penguin, bald eagle, spur-thigh tortoise, opossum and a large variety of other small mammals, birds of prey, and reptiles. Additionally, interns may participate in the Zoo’s educational programs including the Wild Wonders Animal Show, off-site programming, and media appearances.
Herpetology Internship -l learnInterns in this department will learn about the husbandry and care of a large variety of reptiles and amphibians, and will assist with daily care, conservation-based programs, and educational opportunities for our visitors. Species include American alligator, large tortoises, and a variety of venomous and nonvenomous snakes, turtles, frogs, fish, and invertebrates. Interns will about safe handling techniques for all species; however, interns will not be directly handling venomous animals.
Hoofstock and Birds Internship -
Hoofstock and Birds interns will shadow both the large and small hoofstock teams learning the daily routines and care practices for large variety of species. These Interns will be exposed to the Asian elephant program and daily routine, however direct experience with the elephants will be limited. Species in this internship also include black rhino, plains zebra, giant anteater, red river hogs, lorikeet, ostrich, a variety of free flight tropical birds and more.
Primates Internship - Primate interns will learn the husbandry practices specific to primates though shadowing primate and great ape keepers and assisting with their daily routines. Species in this internship include great apes, lesser apes, various monkey species, and prosimians.
Minimum Qualifications, Additional Requirements And Supervisory Responsibilities
Application Requirements
City of Little Rock temporary employees, volunteers or interns do not receive any additional benefits (leave, insurance or retirement/pension).
01
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?
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.
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)
Are you willing and available to work 36 - 40 hours per week starting June 2, 2025?
Are you available to attend the mandatory orientation on June 2, 2025?
Will you be able to provide documentation on up-to-date vaccinations, recent physical and negative TB test (dated within 6 months of start date). Documentation will be required the first day of the internship term. Covid-19 vaccination will be required for animal care internships.
Why do you want to be an intern for the City of Little Rock Zoo this summer?
09
What stipend option will you be requesting?
Which of the following internships would be your first choice?
Which of the following internships would be your second choice?
Which of the following internships would be your third choice?
Please indicate if you have applied for any of the other Zoo Interships:
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
01/09/2025
Closing Date
3/1/2025 11:59 PM Central
FLSA
Determined by Position
Bargaining Unit
N/A
Supervisory Responsibility?
No
On-Line Applications Only?
Yes
Department
Zoo - Interns
Grade
999
- Description
- Benefits
- Questions
Job Objective & Safety/Security Sensitive Designation
The Little Rock Zoo is now accepting applications for 2025 animal care 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
Animal Care Internships: Little Rock Zoo animal care interns work alongside the zoo’s animal keepers learning the ins and outs of animal husbandry in a zoological setting. Tasks may include but are not limited to feeding, cleaning, enrichment, training, exhibit maintenance, and public speaking. These duties include some strenuous activity so candidates should be in good health, capable of lifting up to 50lbs, and able to apply safe working practices. Suitable candidates must be positive and patient with well-developed observational skills and work ethic. Weekly schedule may vary so interns must be flexible; any possible conflicts must be mentioned prior to the acceptance of the position. Interns will also have the opportunity to learn about zoo management and animal welfare topics through lectures and activities offered throughout the summer
Animal Care Internship Types
Ambassador Animal Care Internship -
Species in the Ambassador Animal area include African penguin, bald eagle, spur-thigh tortoise, opossum and a large variety of other small mammals, birds of prey, and reptiles. Additionally, interns may participate in the Zoo’s educational programs including the Wild Wonders Animal Show, off-site programming, and media appearances.
- Arkansas Heritage Farm Internship - The Arkansas Heritage Farm is home to a variety of heritage breed domestic mammals such as Nigerian goats, Boer Goats, Blackbelly sheep, Chinchilla rabbits and more. Farm staff also care for domestic, native, and exotic birds including flamingos, owls, and numerous varieties of chickens, ducks, and geese.
Herpetology Internship -l learnInterns in this department will learn about the husbandry and care of a large variety of reptiles and amphibians, and will assist with daily care, conservation-based programs, and educational opportunities for our visitors. Species include American alligator, large tortoises, and a variety of venomous and nonvenomous snakes, turtles, frogs, fish, and invertebrates. Interns will about safe handling techniques for all species; however, interns will not be directly handling venomous animals.
Hoofstock and Birds Internship -
Hoofstock and Birds interns will shadow both the large and small hoofstock teams learning the daily routines and care practices for large variety of species. These Interns will be exposed to the Asian elephant program and daily routine, however direct experience with the elephants will be limited. Species in this internship also include black rhino, plains zebra, giant anteater, red river hogs, lorikeet, ostrich, a variety of free flight tropical birds and more.
Primates Internship - Primate interns will learn the husbandry practices specific to primates though shadowing primate and great ape keepers and assisting with their daily routines. Species in this internship include great apes, lesser apes, various monkey species, and prosimians.
Minimum Qualifications, Additional Requirements And Supervisory Responsibilities
- College student or recent graduate majoring in education, conservation, biology, or other 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
- Capable of lifting 50 lbs
- Up-to-date vaccinations, recent physical and negative TB test (dated within 6 months of start date). Documentation will be required the first day of the internship term. Covid-19 vaccination will be required for animal care internships.
- Available to work weekends and holidays
- 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).
- Acceptance into the program is contingent on passing a background check
- Available to attend Intern orientation on June 2nd – Orientation is Mandatory
Application Requirements
- 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
Do you have a Bachelor's degree in the following areas?
- Zoology
- Biology
- Education
- Conservation Biology
- Environmental Studies
- Psychology
- 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
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
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
Are you willing and available to work 36 - 40 hours per week starting June 2, 2025?
- Yes
- No
Are you available to attend the mandatory orientation on June 2, 2025?
- Yes
- No
Will you be able to provide documentation on up-to-date vaccinations, recent physical and negative TB test (dated within 6 months of start date). Documentation will be required the first day of the internship term. Covid-19 vaccination will be required for animal care internships.
- Yes
- No
Why do you want to be an intern for the City of Little Rock Zoo this summer?
09
What stipend option will you be requesting?
- Full Stipend
- Partial Stipend plus UALR campus housing
- Undecided
Which of the following internships would be your first choice?
- Carnivore Internship
- Hoofstock and Birds Internship
- Ambassador Animal Care Internship
- Primates Internship
- Herpetology Internship
- Conservation Education
- Arkansas Heritage Farm Internship
Which of the following internships would be your second choice?
- Carnivore Internship
- Hoofstock and Birds Internship
- Ambassador Animal Care Internship
- Primates Internship
- Herpetology Internship
- Conservation Education
- Arkansas Heritage Farm Internship
Which of the following internships would be your third choice?
- Carnivore Internship
- Hoofstock and Birds Internship
- Ambassador Animal Care Internship
- Primates Internship
- Herpetology Internship
- Conservation Education
- Arkansas Heritage Farm Internship
Please indicate if you have applied for any of the other Zoo Interships:
- Conservation Education Internship
- Zoological Research Internship
- None of the above (I am only interested in Animal Care Internships)
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/
