Facility

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Closing Date

Description

This internship program is designed to provide participants with practical learning experience and knowledge in the field of animal husbandry, exhibit maintenance, animal enrichment, and public interactions. Internship participants will care for and handle a variety of birds including a large collection of budgies in a walk-through aviary, reptiles, and mammals as well as participate in informal presentations interacting with Zoo guests. Additionally, participants will assist with presentations in the Zoo’s Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater, a covered, 350-seat amphitheater that features off-leash and free-flight behaviors.

Internship participants will care for and handle a variety of birds, reptiles, and mammals as well as participate in informal presentations interacting with Zoo guests. Additionally, participants will assist with presentations in the Zoo’s Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater, a covered, 350-seat amphitheater that features off-leash and free-flight behaviors.
The internship is designed to provide instruction in the following areas:
1. Animal Husbandry
2. Nutrition and Diets
3. Record Keeping
4. Environmental Enrichment
5. Animal/Species Knowledge
6. Animal Handling
7. Animal Interpretation (small group interactions as well as large audience presentations)

Education and Pre-requisites

Applicants must:
1. Currently enrolled in, or have recently graduated from, a college or university.
2. Have a minimum of one year of course work (Running Start course work does not apply) in a major field of study to be applied during the internship (e.g. biology, zoology, animal behavior, etc.).
3. Be capable of the physical abilities required to work with animals (e.g. lift 50 pounds, frequent bending and stooping, etc.)
4. Be able to commit to working 40 hours per week for 10-12 weeks.
5. Be flexible with their schedule and have the ability to work weekday, weekends and holidays.
6. Once selected, provide proof of a tetanus vaccination within the past 5 years.

(While it is not required that interns earn academic credit we will do everything possible to accommodate school requirements for those who do.)

Compensation and benefits

Unpaid.

Application instructions

To apply for an internship at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium you must:
1. Submit an online application through Metro Parks Tacoma
2. Attach a cover letter including your career goals.
3. Attach a resume.
4. Answer the application questions.
5. Submit two letters of recommendation from an advisor or supervisor. (These may be sent separately.)
6. Undergo a phone, Skype or on-site interview.