What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Care Interns position at Columbian Park Zoo?
- Internship runs January - April
- Orientation - January 18, 2027 (mandatory)
- Minimum 15 hours per week/13-week commitment required, student schedule friendly
- 2027 Spring Intern Application is open until November 9th, 2026
- Unpaid, Education Based
- All majors welcome
- Must be 18 years old
How does it work?
Candidates selected into the internship program are assigned a focus area based on where their skills and availability best fit. Interns are paired with a staff mentor who will help guide them through the onboarding and training process and provide advice and feedback as they gain skills. Interns begin working alongside qualified staff with the goal of attaining a level of competence in their focus area to be able to work independently by the conclusion of the internship.
What does an intern do every day?
That depends on what focus the intern is assigned to and can vary a bit depending on their work schedule. For example, there are some routine tasks that happen in the mornings so afternoon interns may not have the exact same experiences as morning interns. Likewise, interns working in animal care will have different experiences than those working in education or other roles, but we are all working together to meet our common Zoo mission! There are ample opportunities to learn more about how the puzzle pieces come together through observation, teamwork, and discussions with mentoring staff!
Click the tabs for a brief sample of things an intern in each focus area may experience on a given day:
Are there cross-training opportunities?
Potentially. There is a lot to learn in a short amount of time, so internships are structured so as to focus on a single area with the goal of proficiency, then mastery of that area. We may permit interns to shadow in other areas, provided their attendance and performance is progressing satisfactorily. Limited cross-training may be provided at the Zoo’s discretion, but should not be expected. However, as a small facility with a high degree of integration, interns can expect a significant amount of exposure to the goings-on of other areas and have ample opportunities to gain big picture perspectives from their mentors and other staff. We believe an internship will give back what you put into it. Approach it with a curious mind, intent to understand both your role and how it fits into the bigger picture, and ask lots of questions and you are bound to learn a great deal during your time here. For those interested in multiple diverse internship focus areas, we do consider interns who reapply for a second internship in a different area in subsequent semesters.
How independent are internships?
Internships at CPZ are progressively independent. In the early days you are considered a learner, working alongside or in proximity to qualified staff, with a focus on understanding a key set of tasks and responsibilities. As you gain proficiency you will be working more independently for longer stretches of time, with the end goal of eventually being able to confidently and capably complete the responsibilities of your focus area with minimal direct supervision required. However, there is always a "safety net" and a team of dedicated animal professionals available to assist, coach, explain, clarify and help you grow professionally. We encourage interns to develop open communication with zoo staff, ask questions, express interests and engage in productive conversations that help them build a better understanding of how zoos work to provide the best care for their animals and engage their communities on conservation issues.