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Animal Program Internship Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Santa Barbara Zoo

Animal Keeper

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$23.90 - $26.30/hr

P. of Animal Care & Health, the Keeper is responsible for the application of daily animal care ... educational programs Staff development: * Supervises volunteers and interns * Shares critical ...

VCA Animal Hospitals

Rotating Intern

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$80K/yr

The Internship is designed to provide an intensive one-year experience in management of small animal clinical cases under Staff DVM supervision. The training program will utilize Staff doctors of VCA ...

The Pennsylvania State University

Program areas provide each intern with an opportunity to work in planning, delivering, and ... Other opportunities include assisting with live animal training and care, working with volunteers ...

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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.

What are popular job titles related to Animal Program Internship jobs in California?

For Animal Program Internship jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Animal Program Internship jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Program Internship jobs in California are:

Animal Program Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Program Internship job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 15% Internship, 50% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 15% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Animal Keeper

Santa Barbara Zoo

Santa Barbara, CA • On-site

$23.90 - $26.30/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago

Santa Barbara Zoo rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

9th of 37 rated wildlife parks and zoos

Job description

Benefits:
  • Dental insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance

Immediate Opening!
The Santa Barbara Zoo is seeking a full-time Animal Keeper for our Animal Care and Health team. If you are a dedicated, passionate, and experienced individual with a strong commitment to animal care and wildlife conservation, we encourage you to apply for the Animal Keeper position on this portal, outlining your relevant experience and motivation for joining our team
Position Status: Full-time, Regular, Non-exempt, Hourly Schedule: Thursday to Monday, 8am to 5pm Compensation: $23.90 - $26.30 per hour DOE
*You must also complete the Zoo's Official Employment Application on the next page in order to be considered for the position*
SUMMARY:
Under general direction of the Zoological Manager, Director of Animal Care and V.P. of Animal Care & Health, the Keeper is responsible for the application of daily animal care, maintenance of exhibits, guest experience and applicable research.
In this role, you will work with a diverse range of taxa, including mammals, birds, and ectotherms. You will be responsible for husbandry, maintaining naturalistic exhibits, and ensuring the highest standards of animal care and well-being. The ideal candidate would also welcome the challenge of participating in the zoo's local field conservation activities including California condor, island fox, as well as local bird and ectotherm species.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Provide exemplary husbandry and care for a variety of animals, both large and small
  • Maintain and enhance naturalistic exhibits, creating a safe and stimulating environment for the animals, focused on demonstrating natural behaviors
  • Actively participate in on-grounds or local field conservation activities, contributing to initiatives involving California condor, island fox, and local ectotherm species
  • Collaborate closely with the Animal Care & Health team, reporting to a Zoological Manager and the Director of Animal Care
  • Engage with the public through educational programs and public speaking engagements
  • Ensure the safety and well-being of both animals and team members in a strenuous work environment that may require lifting up to 50lbs as needed, navigate uneven surfaces, reaching overhead, climbing and other physical requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Minimum of 1 year experience in working at an AZA accredited facility or similar facility with a variety of taxa
  • Proficiency in animal husbandry, exhibit maintenance, and behavioral enrichment.
  • A commitment to wildlife conservation and an eagerness to engage in local field conservation activities.
  • Strong teamwork ethic and personal accountability.
  • Excellent public speaking and communication skills.
  • Physical fitness to handle the demands of the position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Animal Care:
  • Performs all basic animal husbandry and health duties in the safest manner following established Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) and protocols
  • Records the signs of normal health and changes in animal under his/her care using the daily report system
  • Records results of training sessions and enrichment to document and evaluate progress toward team goals
  • Develops and documents training and enrichment programs
  • Facilitates established animal presentations
  • Regular attendance necessary

Understanding/Handling Emergency Situations:
  • Responds to animal emergencies quickly and calculates risks involved for animal, guest and staff
  • Remains calm and creates an atmosphere of calm and control for those dealing with the emergency situation
  • Uses physical capture and restraint equipment as required
  • Evaluates the impact of emergency or mock situations on all areas of the Zoo and suggests improvements to the emergency response systems

Guest Relations:
  • Associates with guests to assist and share information
  • Responds to all guest inquiries, complaints, and comments according to Zoo guest relation procedures
  • Meets exhibit presentation quality standards for cleanliness and maintenance to maximize our guest experience
  • Develops and facilitates formal and informal educational programs

Staff development:
  • Supervises volunteers and interns
  • Shares critical information, best practices, and procedures on a consistent basis with staff
  • Coaches coworkers, volunteers and interns and provides informal feedback
  • Provides training for new keepers on husbandry standard operating guidelines

Operation and Business:
  • Exemplifies the highest ethical standards to ensure the health and well being of the animal collection
  • Ensures that all regulatory standards are met such as USDA Animal Welfare Act, regional, federal and AZA standards
  • Reports animal maintenance issues and potential hazards for staff
  • Ensures consistent productive operating practices by identifying areas for potential revenue generation, reduction of costs and more efficient procedures
  • Holds peers accountable for their performance
  • Adheres to Zoo's policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Policy Manual
  • Attends bi-monthly all-employee meetings
  • Attends departmental meetings

SECONDARY DUTIES:
  • Greets every guest with a smile
  • Thanks guests for supporting/visiting the Zoo
  • Answers phone calls, voice mails, and e-mails promptly and in a professional manner
  • Insures the Zoo's presentation standards for cleanliness and maintenance are met by keeping work areas clean, picking up trash, reporting unsafe or unsightly conditions
  • Maintains a clean neat appearance and adheres to the Zoo's uniform dress code
  • Takes responsibility to stay informed about happenings at the Zoo, such as reading employee communications and attending meetings
  • Reflects the qualities outlined in the Guest Relations Statement and the Employee Pledge
  • Other duties as assigned to maintain efficient and quality zoo operations

POSITION CRITERIA:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and environmental characteristics described below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, and working and physical elements required of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree or graduation from two-year college program focused on captive animal husbandry
  • Experience in routine animal husbandry, exhibit maintenance, and behavioral enrichment in a zoo, aquarium or closely related activity

License, Certification, or Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Life Science such as Biology, Zoology, Ecology or closely related discipline is preferred
  • Previous work experience in an AZA accredited facility is preferred
  • Valid driver's license with good driving record is desirable

Knowledge, Skills and Ability:
  • Available to work weekends and holidays, and when events are scheduled
  • Knowledge of animal behavior and natural history
  • Knowledge of procedures for observation, handling/restraint, training, enrichment, reproduction, facility needs and health of animals
  • A commitment to wildlife conservation and an eagerness to engage in local field conservation activities
  • Strong teamwork ethic and personal accountability
  • Excellent public speaking and communication skills
  • Physical fitness to handle the demands of the position
  • Understanding of emergency situation procedures, specifically those involved with guest and staff safety
  • Basic computer skills
  • Ability to follow oral and written direction
  • Effective oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to develop warm and friendly relationships at work
  • Ability to interact courteously and respectfully with supervisors, fellow employees, volunteers, our guests
  • Ability to exercise safe work habits while in proximity of potentially dangerous animals
  • Awareness of, sensitivity to, and empathy with animals

Physical Demands & Work Environment:
  • Requires the ability to access all areas of the facility
  • Ability to negotiate the zoo work environment including behind-the-scenes, lawns, gravel, and hilltop
  • Must be able to participate in operational practices; including climb stairs, manipulate tools, and stand/walk for long periods of time
  • Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including electric cart, two-way radio and capture equipment
  • Must be able to lift 50 pounds occasionally, and 10 or fewer pounds frequently
  • Ability to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly push, pull or otherwise move objects
  • The ability to use abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing
  • The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs
  • Involves working out of doors in all weather conditions
  • Supportive and open employment culture

Tools Used:
  • Standard cleaning equipment such as hoses, rakes, shovels, and brooms
  • Two-way radio
  • Personal Computer and software (Word, Excel, Outlook)
  • Capture equipment
  • Electric cart
  • Hand tools

BENEFITS & PERKS:
  • Great team, beautiful grounds, amazing animal collection, sunshine & ocean view almost year-round!
  • Free parking, free guest passes, unlimited free tea/coffee every morning, 20% discounts on food services and retail purchases
  • Access to the CollaborNation platform, professional development events, and lunch & learn opportunities
  • Comprehensive benefits package for FTR staff, voluntary supplemental insurances, zoo membership, paid sick leave, paid vacation time, 403(b) and SEP retirement plans, a paid conservation day, a paid Zoo Day to visit another AZA accredited institution, paid time off to take your pet to the vet, and much more...

*You must also complete the Zoo's Official Employment Application on the next page in order to be considered for the position*
Please make sure to check your spam folder if you do not see an email response from the Zoo.
This job description is representative of the expectations of the position described. Additional duties, reporting relationships, and/or position criteria may be assigned as deemed necessary by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative. No changes to this job description shall be made without written permission by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative.
The Zoo reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description does not constitute a contract for employment, and does not guarantee employment for any specified period of time. The job description does not in any way alter the at-will employment relationship.
At this time, the Zoo does not sponsor employment or internship visas.
Compensation: $23.90 - $26.30 per hour
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Do you love animals and working with people? Join the fun, caring, friendly, and energetic team at the Santa Barbara Zoo in our mission of preservation, conservation, and enhancement of the natural world and its living treasures through education, research, and recreation.
Once you apply, please make sure to check your spam folder if you do not see an email response from the Zoo.
The Santa Barbara Zoo is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and is a fully accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Known as one of the world's most beautiful zoos, it is located on 30 acres of lush botanic gardens overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is home to more than 146 animal species living in open, naturalistic habitats. Our wonderful collaborative team includes up to 220 employees and 50 volunteers.

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