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Animal Internships Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Lead Aquarist

Richmond, VA · On-site

$20/hr

... animal health and water quality data.Will be responsible for training and supervising interns and volunteers. Will be responsible for budgeting a portion of the Program Supplies annual budget.

Lead Aquarist

Richmond, VA · On-site

$43K - $56K/yr

Maintains daily records including (but not limited to) inventory, animal health and water quality data. * Will be responsible for training and supervising interns and volunteers. * Will be ...

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Animal Internships information

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How much do animal internships jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal internships in Virginia is $20.87, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.16 and $24.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animal internship?

An animal internship is a temporary position that provides hands-on experience working with animals in various settings, such as zoos, shelters, veterinary clinics, or research facilities. Interns may assist with animal care, rehabilitation, research, or educational programs under the supervision of professionals. These internships help individuals gain practical skills, build resumes, and explore career paths in animal-related fields.

What does an animal intern do?

As an animal intern, you can expect to be actively involved in daily care routines, such as feeding, cleaning enclosures, monitoring animal health, and providing enrichment activities. You may assist with basic medical care under supervision and help maintain animal records. Interns often work closely with veterinarians, animal caregivers, and other staff, gaining hands-on experience in a collaborative team setting. This role offers valuable insights into animal behavior and care practices, making it an excellent stepping stone for careers in animal science, veterinary medicine, or wildlife conservation.

What skills and qualifications are needed for an animal internship?

To thrive in an Animal Internship, you typically need a passion for animal care, basic animal handling knowledge, and usually a high school diploma or enrollment in a related college program. Experience with animal management software or familiarity with tools used in animal care facilities, such as feeding logs and cleaning equipment, can be beneficial. Strong communication, teamwork, and attention to detail are highly valued soft skills in this role. These abilities are important because they ensure the safety and well-being of animals and foster effective collaboration in animal care environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Internships jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Animal Internships jobs in Virginia are:

What job categories do people searching Animal Internships jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Internships jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Animal Internships jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Animal Internships job openings:

Infographic showing various Animal Internships job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,407 per year, or $20.9 per hour.

Large Animal Care Assistant

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA

$16.26/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Virginia Tech rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 66 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

229th of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Large Animal Care Assistant

Apply now Back to search results Job no: 536903
Work type: Hourly Wage/Part-Time
Senior management: College of Veterinary Medicine
Department: Vet. Medicine Clinical Services
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Veterinary Medicine

Job Description

Assists in providing basic and intensive nursing care to all patients of all services admitted for treatment to the Large Animal Clinic of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Provides assistance to clinical faculty, residents, interns, and senior veterinary students concerning all aspects of patient care, animal handling and the application and use of specialized diagnostic and medical equipment. Will work on an as needed basis. Subject to work varying shifts, days of the week, weekends and holidays. Assist in other areas as directed by supervisor.

Required Qualifications

Must be able to follow and comprehend written and verbal instructions concerning all aspects of patient care. Must be able to recognize needs and establish priorities in order to ensure quality patient care. Must have the ability to make sound emergency decisions concerning the health and safety of both humans and animals; ability to administer drugs and pharmaceuticals by all acceptable routes of administration; ability to safely work with and proficiency at handling and restraining all species and breeds of large animals required. Must be able to safely move and handle items weighing up to 75 lbs. Ability to work for long periods of time, standing, sitting, walking, reaching, bending and pushing/pulling. Ability to tolerate Rabies prophylaxis (provided by employer) is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in veterinary care of large animals; experience in various animal restraint methods; experience with specialized related equipment. Ability to work independently and in a team setting. Able to maintain a clean work environment following bio-security protocols.

Pay Band

3

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

starting at $16.26/hour

Hours per week

Up to 29

Review Date

07/20/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Carrie Nowlin at cnowlin@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: July 6, 2026
Applications close:

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About Virginia Tech

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Virginia Tech, guided by its motto "Ut Prosim" (That I May Serve), embraces a hands-on, interdisciplinary approach to educate scholars as leaders and problem-solvers. As a comprehensive land-grant institution, it enriches the quality of life in Virginia and worldwide, fostering an inclusive community focused on knowledge, discovery, and creativity. With over 280 majors, the university serves a diverse student body of more than 36,000 across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Virginia Tech's presence extends throughout Virginia, including campuses in Northern Virginia, Roanoke, Newport News, and Richmond, along with multiple Extension offices and research centers. As a prominent global research institution, it conducts over $500 million in research annually.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Blacksburg, VA, US

Year founded

1872

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