About the Internship
The Horticulture Division at the North Carolina Zoo is seeking a Zoo Horticulture Intern to join our team. This internship provides hands-on experience in grounds maintenance and plant care within a zoological setting, offering exposure to real-world projects and professional mentorship. The Horticulture Division works to create immersive, naturalistic habitats that support animal welfare, educate guests, and promote conservation.
Key Responsibilities
- Receive and place plants in appropriate holding areas using proper potting, labeling, and transport techniques
- Prepare sites by removing rocks, tilling soil, and adding soil amendments using hand tools
- Install and water plants, utilizing proper cultivation practices
- Remove damaged, diseased, or unsafe plant material to maintain a healthy plant collection
- Assist with pruning to ensure guest safety, routine plant maintenance, and overall collection health
- Identify and control invasive or toxic weeds using appropriate methods while ensuring guest and animal safety
- Monitor and protect plant collections from guest interference or damage
- Provide information to guests about horticulture and conservation efforts
- Build constructive working relationships through cooperation, respect, and teamwork
- Additional responsibilities as needed
Qualifications & Skills
- Currently enrolled undergraduate juniors or seniors, or recently graduated undergraduates (within one year) from a relevant field of study (e.g., horticulture, botany, environmental science, landscaping)
- Basic knowledge of grounds maintenance and plant care
- Effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to follow oral and written instructions and perform basic calculations
- Comfortable working in extreme weather conditions (heat, rain, cold) and standing/walking for extended periods
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs., bend, stoop, and work on variable terrain
- Manual dexterity to safely handle tools and equipment
- Comfortable using hand-held radios, phones, and computers for communication and task management
Schedule and Additional Information
Summer Internship
- 10 Week Full-time Internship:
- This internship is 10 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week), totaling 400 hours
- Must be available to work a full-time schedule, Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Additional details about funding for stipends and housing will be available on January 1, 2026
- Due to the safety-sensitive nature of this role, supervisors may enforce additional standards, such as specific footwear or protective gear
2026 summer internships will occur May 25 to August 7. Start dates will be determined after acceptance into the program but interns can expect to start during the week of May 25.
Ready to Apply?
Don’t miss your chance to be part of an exciting, hands-on internship at the North Carolina Zoo! Gain experience, make connections, and take the next step toward a rewarding career in the Zoo and conservation field.
Apply Now
Summer 2026 internship applications will be open January 1 and will close March 1.
