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Animal Program Internship information

What is an animal program internship?

An Animal Program Internship is a supervised work experience where interns assist with the care, observation, and enrichment of animals in facilities such as zoos, aquariums, or wildlife centers. Interns typically help with daily husbandry tasks, educational programs, and sometimes participate in research or conservation projects. This internship is designed to give students or recent graduates hands-on experience in animal care and to provide insight into careers in animal management, conservation, or education. It often serves as a stepping stone for future employment or advanced studies in animal-related fields.

What types of hands-on experiences can I expect during an animal program internship, and how do they support my professional development?

As an Animal Program Intern, you can expect to participate in a variety of hands-on activities such as animal husbandry, routine feeding, habitat cleaning, and assisting with basic health checks under supervision. These tasks not only build your practical animal care skills but also expose you to daily operations in a professional animal care setting. Many internships also involve supporting educational programs or guest interactions, which can enhance your communication and teamwork abilities. This well-rounded experience is highly valued by employers in zoos, aquariums, and wildlife rehabilitation centers, and can be a strong stepping stone for future roles in animal care or conservation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal program intern, and why are they important?

To excel as an Animal Program Intern, you generally need a background in animal science, biology, or a related field, often supported by coursework or experience working with animals. Familiarity with animal care protocols, basic husbandry tools, and data recording systems is typically required. Strong communication, attention to detail, and a proactive attitude are essential soft skills for collaborating with staff and ensuring animal welfare. These competencies are critical for maintaining safe, effective animal care and supporting the overall goals of the animal program.
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Animal Program Internship jobs near you

Applied Animal Welfare Programs Internship - Summer 2025

Royal Oak, MI

Detroit Zoological Society
Museums and Historical Sites • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Detroit Zoological Societyexternal

$15/hr

Temporary, Internship

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Applied Animal Welfare Programs Internship - Summer 2025 The Detroit Zoological Society's Center for Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare and Ethics (CZAAWE) is accepting applications for an applied animal welfare programs intern. This paid internship is funded through the Ron Kagan Endowment for Animal Welfare, which honors the former Executive Director/CEO of the Detroit Zoological Society who founded CZAAWE to advance zoo animal welfare science and policy. The aims of CZAAWE include assessing and improving the welfare of animals living in the care of humans, creating innovative behavioral husbandry programs, sharing best practices, and conducting research in two key areas: developing and validating novel tools for measuring animal welfare and examining the effects of management practices on welfare.
The CZAAWE applied animal welfare programs internship is a paid internship opportunity. Interns are expected to commit to 40 hours per week (Monday-Friday) for 12 weeks between May 15 and September 15, totaling 480 hours of work. The start date can be flexible within the parameters listed above. The intern will be paid at a rate of $15/hour. For interns residing outside of Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, or Wayne counties (i.e., the Detroit Metro area), onsite housing may be available at no additional cost to the applicant.
The applied animal welfare programs intern will gain experience in the process and facilitation of essential behavioral husbandry and applied welfare programs, including the welfare assessment process, environmental monitoring, enrichment, positive reinforcement training, and monitoring significant events in the lives of animals (e.g., quality of life, habitat modification, quarantine). Although this internship focuses on applied animal welfare programs, interns will receive opportunities for education in all areas of CZAAWE, as listed above. Interns will be supervised by the Animal Welfare Programs Manager and will have the opportunity for mentorship from various departmental staff, including the Senior Director of Animal Welfare and Research and the Manager of Applied Animal Welfare Science.
Responsibilities:
  • Observe positive reinforcement training sessions and assist with supporting the DZS training program.
  • Support the enrichment program by updating enrichment databases, conducting natural history research, and creating behavioral goal-based enrichment.
  • Process welfare assessment reports and attend monthly discussions.
  • Aid in environmental monitoring of habitats, including light and sound measurements.
  • Utilize observational research techniques with a variety of animal species for monitoring animal welfare.
  • Assist with literature searches, data entry, basic descriptive analyses, and generating reports for monitoring projects.
Requirements:
  • Applicants should have a background in zoology, biology, animal science, psychology, anthropology, or animal behavior. Preference will be given to applicants who have demonstrated experience in animal care and welfare.
  • Applicants should be in the process of completing or have completed an undergraduate degree within the last two years, and should not be currently enrolled in or have completed a graduate degree program.
  • Coursework in research methods, biology, animal behavior, or related fields
  • GPA of 3.2/4.0 or higher
  • Minimum 18 years of age
  • Self-motivated and strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Experience with Microsoft Office products and good organizational skills
  • Timeliness and ability to adhere to a schedule
  • Minimum commitment of 40 hours per week for 12 weeks totaling 480 hours of work
  • Proof of a negative TB test on or before start date

To apply:
Please be sure to complete the online DZS application found at https://detroitzoo.org/careers/.
In addition to the online DZS application, you will need to submit a resume; a cover letter outlining your interest in the program, how it will contribute to your career goals and the unique skills you would bring to this program; a copy of your transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable); and two letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation may come from academic sources (advisors or professors), professional sources (current or previous employers), or community sources (religious leaders or community members). The supplemental materials should be submitted via email. Recommendation letters may be submitted by the applicant or emailed directly to us from the recommenders. Only complete application submissions will be considered, and CZAAWE staff are not responsible for ensuring applicants submit all materials. Offers of positions are contingent upon the applicant passing a background check. If you would need to take advantage of onsite housing, please indicate this somewhere in your application materials. This will not be used as a factor to evaluate candidates or their eligibility for the internship.
Please email supplementary application materials to czaw@dzs.org with “CZAAWE Internship” in the subject line.
All application materials are due by 5:00 pm EST on January 17, 2024. All applicants will be informed of a decision no later than April 4, 2024.

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