Animal Care Intern

Living-Desert-DBA-the-Living-Deser; Palm Desert (CA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 27,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Hands-on wildlife experience

Flexible schedule during Fall 2026

Job summary

The Living Desert is seeking qualified and enthusiastic candidates to join our Animal Care team as an Animal Care Intern for Fall 2026 (September–November). This paid internship pays $16.90/hour with 8–24 hours per week, including weekends and holidays, and shifts ranging from 6:00am–4:00pm depending on season.

The intern will rotate through four areas of animal care during a 10-week period and complete a project on enriched experiences for a chosen species, with flexible focus based on

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must have high school diploma or equivalent and be enrolled in college or a recent graduate (2 years). STEM education preferred.
• Covid vaccination and up-to-date boosters are required.
• Negative tuberculosis test prior to start date is required.
• Background check required.
• Experience with animal care and public interactions is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Rotate through all four areas of animal care over 10 weeks: African Safari & Rhino Savanna, Desert Wilds, Wildlife Connections, and the Nutrition Center.
• Complete a project focused on enriched experiences for a species of choice.
• Represent The Living Desert in a professional manner to guests and staff; share conservation messages.

Skills

Animal care

Public interaction

Observational skills

Communication skills

Punctuality

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Enrolled in college or recent graduate (2 years)

STEM education preferred

Job description

Description

The Living Desert’s mission is desert conservation through preservation, education, and appreciation. We care for 600 animals with over 160 desert species represented. We are seeking qualified and enthusiastic candidates to join our Animal Care team as an Animal Care Intern.

This is a paid internship position and will take place Fall 2026 (September-November).

Position Summary:

This internship position pays $16.90/ hour and will be flexible in hours ranging from 8-24 hours worked per week dependent on candidate selection. Hours must be completed within the designated time frame listed above. Shifts are 8 hours. Summer season shift: 6:00am – 3:00pm; In season shift 7:00am-4:00pm (including weekends and holidays). Schedule to be determined upon acceptance into the internship program.

The successful candidate will rotate through all four areas of animal care over the course of 10 weeks; African Safari & Rhino Savanna, Desert Wilds, Wildlife Connections, and the Nutrition Center. They will also complete a project focused on enriched experiences for a species of their choice.

This is a fluid position and as such can be flexible in focus depending on the candidate’s interest and career goals. Some ideas of focus include, but are not limited to: animal nutrition, engineering with a focus on animal enriching experiences, behavioral observations and operant conditioning, animal husbandry and care, etc.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Must represent The Living Desert in a professional manner, interact with guests, and be knowledgeable and share The Living Desert conservation messages, story, and mission.
• Punctuality and Reliability
• General knowledge of zoo animal husbandry, natural history and observational skills
• Uphold The Living Desert’s brand, standards, and culture by maintaining a safe, positive, and productive workplace environment for animals, guests, and staff
• Must follow and abide by all rules enforced through The Living Desert Employee Handbook.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to accurately report daily information

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years or older
• Must have received high school diploma or equivalent and be enrolled in college or recent graduate (2 years); STEM education preferred.
• Covid vaccination and up-to-date boosters are required.
• Negative tuberculosis test prior to start date is required.
• Background check
• Experience with animal care and public interactions is a plus.
• Valid California driver license.

Working Conditions:

• Standing, walking, twisting, climbing, crawling, kneeling, reaching motions, lifting (up to 50lbs)
• Exposure to extreme heat, chemicals and dust/airborne materials.
• Works with potentially dangerous animals (large ungulates, carnivores, venomous snakes)
• Intern will be in uniform and wear a name tag while on zoo grounds. Appropriate footwear (work boots, hiking boots, or similar) are required. Appropriate outerwear is required for all weather conditions (extreme heat, dust, rain, wind, etc).

Deadline for submissions: Sunday, August 30th, 2026, interviews will be scheduled as applications are received.

Desert Conservation Through Preservation, Education and Appreciation.