The Smithsonian’s National Zoo provides the opportunity for interns to gain experience in the zookeeping field by participating in daily animal keeper activities, including animal husbandry, nutrition, enrichment, training and visitor education. Asia Trail, which features a variety of Asian carnivores, is seeking applicants for consideration.
This is an unpaid internship opportunity wherein the intern will support the Department of Animal Programs—Asia Trail. Through this internship, interns will:
- Learn alongside professional animal care staff basic animal husbandry, including cleaning exhibits, preparing food and enrichment activities, and assisting with environmental enhancements
- Learn formal and informal interpretive educational programs for visitors. Understand and follow animal/keeper safety guidelines, operations and polices
- Learn USDA and AZA guidelines, NZP directives, procedures and protocols and other related literature
- Develop or select a project to complete during the internship
- Present a short summary of the project to Asia Trail staff at the end of the internship
Applicants must be at least a junior in college and currently pursuing or have a bachelor’s degree in a related field. They must have experience working around animals in a zoo or similar setting. Intern should possess strong communication skills and be able to engage within a team environment with staff, other interns and volunteers.
Applicants must enjoy working outdoors in all weather conditions and be in good physical condition (able to stand for long periods of time, stoop, climb and lift at least 50 pounds). Interns will be subject to fingerprinting, must pass a background check and must have a current negative TB test. Strong preference will be given to those with a sincere desire in becoming an animal keeper.
The internship will last for approximately 4 ½ months and run from January through May. Exact start and end dates of the session are flexible and will be negotiated once an applicant has been selected. Please be sure to note your availability in the application.
Interns must be able to work 40 hours a week (5 days a week, 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.), often including weekends.
To apply, go to: solaa.si.edu. Select "New to SOLAA? Create Account Here" complete the information to create an account.Information that will be requested (in SOLAA) includes:
- Basic personal information
- Professional resume or CV
- A one-page statement of your interest in pursuing this position. The statement should mention relevant experience, career goals, your reasons for wanting this internship, and what you hope to gain from the experience. Your statement is very important during application evaluations
- College or university and current academic status
- Degrees held or expected
- Two letters of reference (One must be from a current or a former supervisor)
- Schedule of availability
Once you create your account and provide the information above, you will see a screen where you select the type of appointment you are interested in. You will select:
- Type of appointment: “Internship”
- Unit of interest: “National Zoological Park”
- Program: “National Zoological Park Internship Program”
- Project: “Rock Creek – Asia Trail"
IMPORTANT: Your application is considered complete when you hit “Submit.” Please be sure all required documents, including references, are included before you submit your application. Only complete applications will be considered.