Internships
The Animal Park at the Conservators Center is committed to its mission of providing education about the species in our care. Therefore, we offer a highly competitive internship program that will provide you with a unique, hands-on, factual learning experience in exotic animal husbandry. We welcome all applicants, both local and international, who are seeking careers in animal husbandry, zoology, veterinary, biology, and other animal care related fields.
Animal Keeper Internship Overview
This position requires a highly motivated personality who is eager to learn and perform duties associated with the husbandry and maintenance of exotic animals on exhibit in a working, education-focused facility. Interns work alongside and are supervised by professional zookeeper staff who will mentor and coach them during their internship, at a minimum of 240 hours.
Develop The Skills To Start Your Career
There are four session opportunities:
- Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer
Summer Session
- Session: May 14th – August 27th
- Deadline: January 31st***Applications are still welcome after this date in the event that there is an opening.
Fall Session
- Session: August 15th – December 31st
- Application Deadline: July 31st
Winter Session
- Session: December 15th – March 15th
- Application Deadline: September 30th
Spring Session
- Session: February 20th – May 20th
- Application Deadline: October 31st
Additional Information
Applications are reviewed shortly upon receipt and are followed up with an interview.
Due to the competitiveness of our program, only 4 applicants are chosen per session. If you are not chosen for a specific session, we invite you to reapply for alternate sessions.
There is a $75 Intern Placement fee. This includes 2 shirts that the intern can keep. $50 will be refunded after successful completion of the program.
Local housing is available on a limited basis. A $150 deposit is required, followed by $75 weekly rent. Requests must be sent through the application portal.
To ensure that the chosen candidate undergoes a comprehensive internship experience, only two time-off requests will be allotted for the duration of the program. These requests must be submitted in writing prior to the intern's start date.
*Part-time internships may be available and are on a more limited basis. Dates are also flexible around university schedules. Please reach out to the Intern Program Management to have any of these requests or changes approved.