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Internship Zoo Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Great Plains Zoo

Zookeeper (Ungulate)

Sioux Falls, SD · On-site

$18/hr

Join us at the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium as a member of our Ungulate team! Job Summary ... Supervisory Responsibilities This position helps to oversee and train Junior Zookeepers, interns ...

Great Plains Zoo

Zookeeper - Primates

Sioux Falls, SD · On-site

$18/hr

Join our Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium zookeeper team! Zookeepers are responsible for the ... Supervisory Responsibilities This position helps to oversee and train interns, volunteers, and ...

Great Plains Zoo

Zookeeper (Ungulate)

Sioux Falls, SD · On-site

Join us at the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium as a member of our Ungulate team! Job Summary ... Supervisory Responsibilities This position helps to oversee and train Junior Zookeepers, interns ...

City of Bloomington Illinois

Zookeeper

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$50K/yr

Chair or sit as a member of various zoo committees as assigned. Participate in the development and performance of keeper training classes for interns and staff. Train and mentor Seasonal Zookeepers ...

houstonzoo

Zookeeper III, Elephants

Houston, TX

Assumes select supervisory duties in the absence of Zoo Supervisors. * Serves as a positive role model for interns, volunteers, and other keepers and staff. * Demonstrates a clear understanding of ...

houstonzoo

Zookeeper III, Elephants

Houston, TX

Assumes select supervisory duties in the absence of Zoo Supervisors. * Serves as a positive role model for interns, volunteers, and other keepers and staff. * Demonstrates a clear understanding of ...

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Internship Zoo information

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How much do internship zoo jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship zoo in the United States is $15.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $17.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an internship zoo?

An Internship Zoo job is a temporary position at a zoo where interns gain hands-on experience working with animals, assisting zookeepers, and learning about animal care, conservation, and zoo operations. Responsibilities may include feeding animals, cleaning enclosures, observing animal behavior, and educating visitors. These internships provide valuable experience for those pursuing careers in zoology, veterinary medicine, or wildlife conservation.

What does an internship zoo do?

As a Zoo Intern, your typical responsibilities may include assisting with animal feeding, cleaning enclosures, preparing enrichment activities, and helping staff observe animal behavior and health. You may also support educational programs, answer guest questions, and perform basic administrative tasks related to animal care. Interns often rotate through different sections of the zoo to gain a broad understanding of zoo operations and animal management. This hands-on experience not only helps develop critical animal care skills but also offers opportunities to interact closely with experienced professionals, preparing you for future roles in animal care or wildlife management.

What skills and qualifications are needed for an internship zoo?

To thrive as a Zoo Intern, you should have a strong interest in animal care, basic knowledge of biology or zoology, and be pursuing or have completed relevant coursework in animal sciences or related fields. Experience with animal husbandry tools, safety equipment, and familiarity with record-keeping systems or animal management software is often beneficial. Excellent communication, teamwork, reliability, and a willingness to learn are valuable soft skills for this position. These skills are essential to ensure both the welfare of the animals and effective collaboration with zookeepers and other staff members in a fast-paced environment.

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Internship Zoo jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internship Zoo job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 12% Internship, 58% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,333 per year, or $15.5 per hour.

Zookeeper (Ungulate)

Great Plains Zoo

Sioux Falls, SD • On-site

$18/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Join us at the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium as a member of our Ungulate team!
Job Summary
Zookeepers are responsible for the specialized work involving all the health and wellbeing of native and exotic animals through feeding, enclosure maintenance, behavioral observation, training, enrichment and health care maintenance and treatment. This position works with a variety of ungulates which includes Black Rhinos, Reticulated Giraffes, Eastern Bongo, Grevy's Zebras, Bactrian Camels, and Bison.
Essential Functions
  • Provide all aspects of daily care for the animals in assigned exhibits and holding areas including but not limited to:
    • Innovative animal husbandry that is in compliance with AZA and USDA standards.
    • Preparation and feeding of approved diets.
    • Monitoring of physical and behavioral aspects of the animals under assigned care.
    • Implementation of the behavioral program of the animals under assigned care which include the animal training (operant conditioning) and enrichment programs.
    • Designing and maintaining proper animal enclosures/props/exhibits.
    • Utilizing preventative husbandry techniques and providing proactive health care as required.
    • Provide proper care for neonates and young (may require care outside of normal working hours).
  • Maintain exhibits and holding areas in a clean, aesthetically pleasing, and presentable condition at all times. Includes performing general maintenance and repair of exhibits: painting, repairing fences and shelters, abating erosion, removing weeds, and snow removal. Maintains the cleanliness of other areas such as breakrooms, hallways etc.
  • Observe the animal collection for any signs of illness, lethargy, injury, or dietary problems and report any problems to the Veterinarian, Area Supervisor, and/or Director of Animal Care.
  • Assist the Veterinarian, Area Supervisor, and/or Director of Animal Care in routine animal examinations and medicate animals with any prescribed treatments.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees as well as interact and communicate well with the general public.
  • Maintain daily reports, medical records, enrichment logs, and other records as needed in the assigned area.
  • Give presentations to guests on a regular basis (Keeper Chats) and answers guests questions about animals and exhibits. This engagement of Zoo's guests should extend to being willing to provide Behind the Scenes area tours, participate in media related events, participate in public relations projects and work special events in area as necessary.
  • Capture, handle, and move animals using accepted Great Plains Zoo practices to facilitate internal movement, external shipping, medical procedures, or normal routines. Perform basic restraint, crating/uncrating and transport of animals as required and must have the ability to operate various sizes of animal squeeze cages.
  • Other duties as assigned by the Area Supervisor and/or Director of Animal Care & Conservation.

Competency
  • Must be able to follow written and oral instructions.
  • Must be flexible, self-motivated, enthusiastic and a team player.
  • Must demonstrate punctual attendance, reliability and good time management skills.
  • Must be capable of dealing with emergencies calmly and efficiently.
  • Must be able to shoot rifles, shotguns and capture dart guns as required and/or directed to assist in the animal escape and recovery plan.
  • Proficiency in MS Office products (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint).

Supervisory Responsibilities
This position helps to oversee and train Junior Zookeepers, interns, volunteers and seasonal employees; however, this position does not have any direct reports.
Work Environment
Must be able to tolerate and be exposed to strong odors, toxic or caustic chemicals, dust, hay, animal fur/hair/dander, and wet or humid conditions (non-weather) and all variable outdoor weather conditions.
Physical Demands
Must be able to climb ladders/stairs, lift crates/animals and / or equipment weighing 70 lbs., operate mowers, handle fires hoses, operate weed eaters, hay elevators, motorized carts, tractors, dump truck, pickup truck, load and operate wheel barrows loaded up to 150 lbs., be agile and flexible to maneuver in and around the animals within exhibits, corrals and holding areas.
Required Education and Experience
Requires a bachelor's degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Science or other related degree; or an equivalent level of work experience and education as determined by the hiring authority.
Preferred Education and Experience
• Previous animal training and/or Zookeeper experience.
• Experience in an AZA accredited facility is preferred.
Additional Qualifications
• Maintain a current tetanus vaccination (5 years) and be willing to be TB tested annually.
• Must be certified or able to become certified in CPR/AED within 1 year of employment.
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays and evenings as required.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be able to pass a pre-employment background check.
• Covid-19 and Flu Vaccines encouraged; must following masking protocols as determined by organization.

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