Summer Internship

SALARY & FLSA: $20.76 - $21.74 per hour; FLSA non-exempt

All interns will have the starting pay of $20.76 for the entire internship.

OPENING DATE: 03/10/2025

CLOSING DATE: 03/28/2025 (May close sooner if a sufficient number of qualified applications are received.)

JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Temporary.

UNION: Non-Represented

OPENINGS: 12

LOCATION: Onsite. Internships eligible for hybrid work are noted in the description.

DEPARTMENT: Various

Summary

This 8-week internship will expose you to the many varied jobs that it takes to run a zoo, while you learn new skills and gain knowledge in your field of interest. If you’ve ever been curious about working at a zoo, want to learn about wildlife conservation, or want to try something new, then these internships are for you!

This internship is intended for early career college students. Internships include both hands-on daily work in a specific position and a weekly cohort meeting to connect with other interns and gain professional skills. Prior experience or previous involvement with zoos, conservation, or similar programs is not required. Populations who are historically underrepresented in conservation roles are encouraged to apply.

Positions Available (12)

• Animal Management (3 positions available)
• Varied workweek schedule, 4 consecutive days, may include weekends, 8am-4pm.
• This internship will provide on the job training in areas of animal husbandry and management, with a focus on animal observations for record keeping purposes. Each Animal Management intern position focuses on a different area of the zoo. Tasks include: Exhibit cleaning, diet preparation, animal observations, and animal feeding.
• Animal Management, Animal Welfare (2 positions available)
• Monday–Thursday, 9am-5pm (some weeks may include a Sunday evening shift for events)
• Work alongside the Animal Welfare Team to conduct behavioral observations across many species in support of our ongoing animal welfare research projects. Intern will learn animal behavior methodology and principles of animal wellbeing and will have the opportunity to investigate their own research question using the data they collect.
• Animal Management, Conservation & Recovery Programs
• Tuesday—Friday, 8am-4pm
• Assist in two of the Zoo’s conservation recovery programs, the Oregon Silverspot Butterfly Program and the Western Pond Turtle project. The majority of the internship time will be spent in the Silverspot Lab. This position will support daily operations in the lab including basic animal husbandry, exhibit cleaning, diet prep, data collection, and observation.
• Facilities & Exhibits, Projects
• Monday–Thursday, 8:30am-4:30pm
• This internship will provide an understanding of the architectural design process, starting from the planning level. Tasks include cataloging architectural records.
• Facilities, Sustainability (2 positions available)
• Tuesday—Friday, 9am-5pm (some weeks may include evening shifts for events)
• This internship will assist the sustainability team in gathering data to improve guest and staff engagement with waste streams. Tasks include creating and implementing data collection to support sustainability programs and initiatives, including waste management, Diet Doo, and Bold Reuse.
• This internship is eligible for limited hybrid work.
• Learning & Innovation, Evaluation & Impact Team
• Tuesday—Friday, 9am-5pm
• Assist in a qualitative research project focused on understanding how zoo audiences express empathy for animals. Tasks include: interacting with zoo guests to collect data and helping to identify patterns and themes in visitor responses related to empathy.
• This internship is eligible for limited hybrid work.
• Learning & Innovation, Guest Engagement Team
• Tuesday-Friday, 9am-5pm
• In this role, the intern will learn and present educational programs alongside the zoo’s public programming team. Tasks include research, developing interpretive skills, and compiling guest feedback. The intern will leave with an understanding of program development, delivery, and evaluation.
• People & Culture, DEAI Team
• Monday—Thursday, 8:30am-4:30pm
• The intern will be working within the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion team to assist with internal zoos systems to create a greater sense of belonging for staff on grounds. They will work on Accessibility projects, stress relief and mental health first aid, administrative support for staff training, and working with our D&I Council/Employee resource groups.
• This internship is eligible for limited hybrid work.
  

What You Can Expect From This Internship

• Start date: July 7th, 2025
• End date: August 30th, 2025
• 8 weeks of work, 30 hours a week, 8 hours a day with a 30-minute unpaid lunch. All interns will work on Wednesdays. Schedules vary based on position (see specific positions for more information).
• You’ll connect with other interns in the program through weekly cohort meetings and professional development workshops.  
• You’ll learn about different career and educational paths that you can take to work in zoos and conservation roles.
• All interns can expect to complete a project while participating in this program. Projects are determined by your department supervisor. 
• All interns will prepare and deliver a capstone presentation, reflecting on their experiences in the program. This presentation will be on August 27th, 2025.
  
  

YOU'LL DO WELL IN THIS INTERNSHIP IF YOU...

• Are passionate about zoos, wildlife, and conservation
• Enjoy hands-on learning with guidance from experienced mentors
• Want to connect with other students interested in working in these fields
• Are excited to develop valuable early-career professional skills
  
  

Requirements

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old by the start of this program.
• Enrolled in a 2- or 4-year college program.
• Able to reliably attend and complete entire 8-week internship.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Student completing 1st or 2nd year of college in spring/summer 2025.
• Enrolled in community college.
• First generation college student.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
  
  

Benefits

• The Woodland Park Zoo offers temporary staff the following benefits:
• 4 complimentary Zoo tickets per year plus other discounts and perks 
• Accrue 1 hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked
• 403(b) Retirement Plan  
• Free staff parking
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
  
  

SELECTION PROCESS

Application: Please only fully complete the application questions (those marked with a red asterisk) and include any relevant coursework relevant to the internship you are seeking. A resume and cover letter are NOT required for this position. Please do not include as it will not be used in screening process.

This opportunity is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Woodland Park Zoo values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The zoo encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, 2SLGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at careers@zoo.org.

Screening: We will review applications and select some candidates for interviews. Selected candidates will be invited for virtual interviews.

Interview Dates

• April 14th
• April 17th
• April 18th
• April 22nd
• April 23rd
  
  

Offer: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check.