2027 Spring Internship - Animal Care

Chattanooga Zoo; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 17,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

College credit

Hands-on experience

Learning opportunity

Job summary

Chattanooga Zoo in Chattanooga, TN, offers an Animal Care Internship that is paid and eligible for college credit. This hands-on, 15-week program runs 24 hours per week and provides foundational experience in daily husbandry, record keeping, enrichment, and guest interaction.

Interns rotate through focus areas (Giraffe Barn & Asia, Africa & Small Mammals, Reptiles & South American Amazonia, South America & Petting Zoo) and contribute to education spotlights while complying with zoo policies.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Currently enrolled in college or recently graduated (within 12 months).
• Completed at least 30 college credits with a 2.5 GPA or above.
• Available to work 24 hours per week (360 total hours).
• Available for 15 weeks from January 18 - April 30, 2027.
• Ability to read, speak and write English.
• Willing to work outdoors in all types of weather.
• Background check, drug screen, and TB skin test required.
• Submit completed application on ApplicantPro with transcript, resume, cover letter, and a reference letter.

Responsibilities

• Perform outdoor daily husbandry routines.
• Assist with diet preparation and distribution.
• Distribute and evaluate enrichment; conduct behavioral observations.
• Observe operant conditioning sessions with multiple species.
• Participate in public education spotlights.
• Maintain accurate records.
• Comply with Chattanooga Zoo policies and procedures.

Skills

Animal care

Record keeping

Public education

English literacy

Education

College student status

Job description

• 301 N Holtzclaw Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404, USA

The Chattanooga Zoo Animal Care Internship program is a husbandry-based experience that will provide foundational knowledge and skill set needed to enter the animal care field. This experience-based opportunity gives interns hands-on skills assisting staff in the daily care of animals and exhibits, record keeping, and interacting with zoo guests . This is a paid internship position that offers college credit based on your college or institution's requirements and provides an opportunity for learning and experience in one of the following focus areas:

Area 1 & 6 - Giraffe Barn & Asia

Area 2 & 10 - Africa and Small Mammals

Area 3 & 5 - Reptiles and So uth Ame rican Amazonia

Area 4 & 7 - South America and Petting Zoo

• Performs outdoor tasks including daily husbandry routines, diet preparation and distribution, enrichment distribution and evaluation, behavioral observations
• Observe operant conditioning sessions with a multitude of species
• Participates in public education spotlights
• Maintain accurate records
• Comply with all Chattanooga Zoo policies and procedures

For a complete list of roles and responsibilities , please see Full Job Description below.

Minimum Qualifications and Program R equire ments

• Minimum 18 years of age
• Currently enrolled in a college or university or have graduated within the past 12 months
• Completed at least 30 college credits with a 2.5 GPA or above
• Available to work 24 hours per week (360 total hours)
• Available for 15 weeks from January 18 - April 30, 2027
• Ability to read, speak and write English in order to successfully complete essential job functions
• Willing and able to work outdoors in all types of weather
• Passion for working with animals and serious about learning
• Successfully complete a background check, drug screen, and TB skin test
• Submission of a completed application on ApplicantPro which includes all of the following:
• Transcript of college coursework confirming 30 or more college hours with a 2.5 GPA or above
• Resume and cover letter which includes your area of interest
• Reference letter of a NON-family member on official company or school letterhead with a date and a signature

Physical Requirements

Medium: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently. This position requires standing, walking, climbing bending, stooping and lifting/holding a majority of the time.

Physical Environment:

This position requires constant movement across zoo grounds for the majority of the workday and is routinely exposed to external elements which include heat/cold, wet/humid & dry/arid weather conditions.

The Friends of the Zoo, Inc (Chattanooga Zoo) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Zoo will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

We are committed to an inclusive environment and value the diverse qualities, perspectives, and experience of all individuals.