Mammals and Birds Intern– Spring 2027

Georgia Aquarium Careers; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Job summary

Georgia Aquarium invites motivated interns to join the Mammals & Birds team for hands-on animal training experience, working closely with trainers to support daily care and learn operant conditioning techniques.

Interns will be paired with a mentor, participate in training seminars and gain valuable applied experience, with a 40-hour work week over twelve weeks in a paid program.

Qualifications

• This internship involves substantial physical labor; interns must be able to lift at least 50lbs.
• Interns must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Regular weekly schedule; 40 hours per week for twelve weeks; may include weekends and holidays.
• Must have an interest or major in animal science, biology, marine biology, psychology, or related field.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Previous animal care experience is not necessary.
• This is an experience-based, paid internship.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside trainers and assist with animal diet preparation, behavioral observations, environmental enrichment, and habitat cleaning.
• Play supporting roles in animal training and husbandry sessions.
• Develop skills such as: diet preparation; water sampling; commissary clean‑up; habitat and husbandry area maintenance; behavioral observations; environmental enrichment; data recording and data entry; assisting team with animal training, handling, and medical procedures; and other duties as assigned.

Skills

Physical labor

Teamwork

Independence

Flexibility

Interest in animal science

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Position Title: Mammals and Birds Intern- Spring 2027

Department: Animal Training: Mammals and Birds - 3230

Classification: Non-Exempt

Employee Type: INT - Intern

Direct Report: Manager, Animal Training (Mammals and Birds)

Position Summary:

This program offers interns hands‑on animal training experience with the Mammals & Birds team. Interns are exposed to animal care and training activities with either Beluga whales, Harbor Seals, and Asian Small‑Clawed Otters, Binturongs, Sea Otters, African penguins, and/ or Alcids. Interns work directly with trainers to support the daily care of the collection and learn basic operant conditioning principles. Interns will be paired with a mentor and guided through several training seminars and workshops to gain insight into operant conditioning techniques and how they are used in Georgia Aquarium’s Mammals & Birds program. This internship will give individuals the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields.

Responsibilities:

1. Work alongside trainers and assist with animal diet preparation, behavioral observations, environmental enrichment, and habitat cleaning.
2. Play supporting roles in animal training and husbandry sessions.
3. Develop skills such as: diet preparation; water sampling; commissary clean‑up; habitat and husbandry area maintenance; behavioral observations; environmental enrichment; data recording and data entry; assisting team with animal training, handling, and medical procedures; and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

1. This internship involves substantial physical labor, and therefore interns must be able to climb stairs and ladders and should be capable of lifting at least 50lbs.
2. Interns must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
3. This internship requires a regular weekly schedule and may include weekends and holidays. This internship requires 40 hours per week for twelve weeks.
4. Must have an interest or major in animal science, biology, marine biology, psychology, or related field.
5. Must have a high school diploma or GED.
6. Previous animal care experience is not necessary.
7. This is an experience‑based, paid internship.

Important Dates for Spring 2027 Semester:

Application Deadline: Wednesday, November 25th. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and may close before the official deadline.

Mandatory Spring 2027 Orientation: Thursday, February 4th, 2027.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and work around saltwater. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Commitment:

I commit to Georgia Aquarium, Inc. to be a part of the following:

Mission: Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and Aquatic animals worldwide.

Vision: To be the Premier Aquarium in the World for Science, Entertainment, Education and Conservation.

Values:Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Innovation, Leadership, Excellence, Appreciation & Inclusion