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Internship Opportunities

Internship Opportunities

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North Carolina Zoo Internship Program 

Gain Hands-On Experience at the World’s Largest Natural Habitat Zoo! 

Are you looking for a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the zoo field? The North Carolina Zoo Internship Program is designed to provide students and recent graduates with real-world experience, professional mentorship, and an opportunity to contribute to the Zoo’s mission: to protect wildlife and wild places and inspire people to join us in conserving the natural world

Whether you're passionate about animal care, conservation, education, horticulture, communications, or operations, our internship program allows you to explore career paths, develop essential skills, and make a meaningful impact. Interns work alongside dedicated professionals while supporting the daily operations and conservation efforts of a world-class Zoo! 

What You'll Gain 

Our internship program goes beyond daily tasks, it’s a stepping stone for your career! 

  • Skill Development - Hands-on training in animal care, education program delivery, research, graphic design, and more 
  • Networking Opportunities - Connect with zoo professionals, industry leaders, and fellow interns 
  • Career Preparation - Resume-building workshops, interview prep, leadership training, and conservation career insights 
  • Stipends & Housing – Potential for stipends for select internships; on-site housing offered at a reduced fee (limited availability) 
  • Zoo Perks - Free guest passes, discounts on retail and food venues 

Application Requirements 

To be considered for an internship, you must submit all required materials electronically in the official application link provided below: 

  • Internship Application  
  • Letter of Intent  
  • Current Resume - one page max 
  • College Transcript - unofficial copies accepted 
  • Two Letters of Recommendation 
  • One from a faculty member or professional mentor 
  • One additional recommendation of your choice 
  • Contact Information for Two Personal References 

Important Note: Students are responsible for arranging school credit if required by their institution. 

Additional Information 

  • Reliable transportation is required 
  • Availability to work a flexible schedule that includes weekdays, weekends, and/or holidays 

  • Interns adhere to the Dress Code & Appearance Policy 
  • Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable laws and policies 
  • Interns are responsible for all expenses associated with the internship, including housing, transportation, food, and uniforms 

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  

The deadline for all 2025 summer internships is March 14, 2025. 

Full-Time Internships

Our internships are structured to offer comprehensive learning experience while accommodating academic schedules: 

Summer Internship (May – August) 

  • Duration: 10 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week), totaling 400 hours  
  • Applications Open: February 7, 2025 
  • Application Deadline: March 14, 2025 
  • Interviews Conducted: March 17–28, 2025 
  • Acceptance Notifications: By April 4, 2025 

 

HORTICULTURE INTERNSHIP  

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 in or recently graduated (within one year) from a relevant program (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 

Additional Information 

  • Must be available Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 
  • Due to the safety-sensitive nature of this role, supervisors may enforce additional standards, such as specific footwear or protective gear 

 

 VOLUNTEER SERVICES INTERN 

About the Internship 

The Volunteer Services Department at the North Carolina Zoo is seeking a Volunteer Services Intern to join our team. This internship provides hands-on experience in volunteer coordination, program management, and event planning, offering exposure to real-world projects and professional mentorship. Interns will develop professional skills in recruitment, engagement, training, and administration of volunteers and interns in a dynamic zoo environment. 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Assist with the onboarding process for volunteers and interns, including application reviews and background checks 
  • Support the planning and facilitation of volunteer training sessions, orientations, and engagement activities 
  • Help manage volunteer and intern records in the Volgistics database, ensuring accurate documentation of hours and assignments 
  • Participate in special event planning and on-site coordination, assisting with volunteer assignments and logistics 
  • Additional responsibilities as needed 

Qualifications & Skills 

  • Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of a program in human resources, hospitality, event planning, education, business management, or a related field 
  • Effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills 
  • Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and a willingness to learn new software 
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment 
  • Comfortable engaging with diverse groups, including volunteers, interns, staff, and guests 
  • Passion for community engagement and service 

Additional Information 

  • May require occasional evening work for special events 
  • Internship may involve light lifting and spending time outdoors 
  • Interns will receive mentorship, networking opportunities, and an evaluation at the end of the program 

  

 ZOOKEEPER INTERNSHIP 

About the Internship 

The Animal Section at the North Carolina Zoo is seeking Zookeeper Interns to join our team. This internship provides an opportunity for hands-on experience in zoo animal care, welfare, and management, offering exposure to real-world projects and professional mentorship. Interns will work alongside keeper staff, learning fundamental husbandry techniques in an AZA-accredited facility while gaining insights into zoo operations and conservation initiatives. 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Learn and perform all aspects of animal husbandry, including diet preparation, enrichment, operant conditioning, veterinary procedures, and record-keeping 
  • Conduct animal behavior observations and assist with conservation initiatives 
  • Participate in keeper presentations, tours, and educational messaging 
  • Engage in professional development opportunities related to zoo operations and career planning 
  • Additional responsibilities as needed 

Potential Assignments 

Intern placements will be determined based on candidate interest, availability, and best fit for each work area. Potential assignments include: 

  • Ambassadors – Tractable species with a focus on programming and messaging techniques 
  • Avian Propagation – Care of various bird species, including breeding and habitat management 
  • Swamp or Streamside – North American reptiles and amphibians, plus select birds and mammals 
  • Rocky Coast – Polar bears, puffins, Arctic foxes, and porcupines 
  • African Hoofstock – Includes zebra, ostrich, giraffe, and Watani grasslands species 
  • Elephants – Herd of African elephants 
  • Northwoods – North American mammals such as wolves, bears, elk, and bison 
  • Desert Dome – Diverse collection of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds 
  • Primates and Carnivores – Great apes, monkeys, and large felids 
  • Life Support/Aquatics – Work across multiple aquatic and terrestrial areas of the park 

Qualifications & Skills 

  • Currently enrolled in or recently graduated (within one year) from a relevant program (e.g., biology, zoology, psychology) preferred but not required 
  • Effective communication, teamwork, and observational skills 
  • Ability to lift at least 50 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods 
  • Willingness to work outdoors in various weather conditions 
  • Ability to read and follow instructions and communicate clearly 

Part-Time Internship

Our internships are structured to offer comprehensive learning experience while accommodating academic schedules: 

Summer Internship (May – August) 

  • Duration: Varies for each program, see details below  
  • Applications Open: February 7, 2025 
  • Application Deadline: March 14, 2025 
  • Interviews Conducted: March 17–28, 2025 
  • Acceptance Notifications: By April 4, 2025 

 

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR RESEARCH INTERNSHIP 

About the Internship 

The Research Department at the North Carolina Zoo is seeking a Research Intern to join our team. This internship provides hands-on experience in zoo-based research along with professional mentorship. Interns will work with PhD-level curatorial staff to learn about research in zoos, gain experience collecting behavioral data, and develop skills in data management, analysis, and professional dissemination of scientific findings. Results from these projects are used by zookeepers and curators to inform management decisions and enhance animal welfare. 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Research project conception and design 
  • Behavioral data collection 
  • Manage and analyze research data 
  • Participate in meetings and discussions on research findings 
  • Create a final written report on major findings to inform animal care programs 
  • Present major findings to zoo staff at term’s end via a power point presentation 
  • Additional responsibilities as needed 

Qualifications & Skills 

  • Upper-level undergraduates (rising juniors or seniors) or graduate students with an interest in animal behavior research 
  • Minimum GPA of 3.25 preferred 
  • Completed relevant coursework (e.g., statistics, animal behavior) and/or applied research experience 
  • Effective analytical and problem-solving skills 
  • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines 
  • Experience with data collection, management, and analysis preferred 

Schedule & Additional Information 

  • This internship requires a hybrid schedule with a minimum of 24 hours per week. Interns will spend at least two 8-hour days per week on-site at the Zoo collecting behavioral data and at least 8 hours per week remotely for data analysis, report writing, and meetings. 
  • A stipend may be available to help offset costs 

 

WILDLIFE REHABILITATION INTERNSHIP 

About the Internship 

The Valerie H. Schindler Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at the North Carolina Zoo is seeking a Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern to join our team. This internship provides hands-on experience in caring for sick, injured, or orphaned native wildlife with the goal of returning them to the wild in optimal condition, offering exposure to real-world projects and professional mentorship. The center is a teaching facility that emphasizes rehabilitation, research, and education, fostering compassion, civic responsibility, and environmental stewardship. 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Assist with the daily care of wildlife patients and resident animals 
  • Prepare diets and clean enclosures 
  • Admit wildlife patients and maintain detailed records 
  • Feed animals and provide supportive care 
  • Assist with medical tasks under veterinary supervision, including treatments, radiographs, and surgeries 
  • Participate in special projects, training, tours, animal rescues, and cage building/maintenance 
  • Provide supervision and guidance to volunteers and unpaid interns 
  • Act as a liaison to veterinary staff 
  • Additional responsibilities as needed 

Qualifications & Skills 

  • Currently enrolled in or recently graduated (within one year) from a relevant field of study (e.g., wildlife rehabilitation, pre-vet, veterinary technician, zoo and aquarium sciences, animal science) 
  • Effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills 
  • Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs., bend, stoop, stand for at least 30 minutes, and walk on variable terrain 
  • Capable of working in all climatic conditions 
  • Ability to read and follow instructions, communicate clearly, and perform basic calculations 
  • Rabies vaccination required for handling adult self-feeding and education mammals (unvaccinated interns may assist with hand-rearing orphaned mammals, caring for birds and reptiles, and performing all other duties) 
  • This position may not be suitable for individuals who are immune-suppressed and/or pregnant 

Schedule and Additional Information 

  • 10 Week Unpaid Internships: 
  • This internship is a minimum of 10 weeks, 200 hours, 3 6-hour shifts per week, plus 2-hour trainings every Wednesday 
  • Must be available to work a set schedule alternating between opening and closing shifts, weekends including holidays 
  • 12 Week Unpaid Internships: 
  • This internship is a minimum of 12 weeks, 360 hours, five 6-hour shifts per week plus 2-hour trainings every Wednesday 
  • Must be available to work a set schedule alternating between opening and closing shifts, weekends including holidays 

This internship is part of the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council’s Practicum Accreditation Program, and interns will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the program. Preference will be given to candidates pursuing a career in animal care, such as wildlife rehabilitation, veterinary medicine, or zoo and aquarium sciences.