Part Time Public Safety Officer - Office of Public Safety

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking enthusiastic interns for its internship program. This unique opportunity allows current college students or recent graduates to gain valuable real-world experience while working closely with Zoo staff. Interns will engage in hands-on activities, learn about animal husbandry, and develop skills in various areas such as nutrition and public speaking. The internship spans 14 weeks, typically requiring a full-time commitment, and offers a stipend to help offset living expenses. Join a team that values diversity and inclusion, and contribute to meaningful conservation efforts while making lasting professional connections.

Benefits

Stipend compensation

Hands-on experience

Professional development opportunities

Networking with Zoo staff

Qualifications

• Interns must be current college students or recent graduates in related fields.
• Candidates should be comfortable working with various animal species.

Responsibilities

• Interns will gain hands-on experience and develop professional contacts.
• Responsibilities include assisting with animal care and public education.

Skills

Commitment to working with children

Handling different species of animals

Professionalism

Hard-working and highly motivated

Education

Current college student in a related field

Recent graduate with a related degree

Job description

This year, we’re celebrating the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s 150th anniversary!

Thank you for your interest in Zoo employment opportunities, including AmeriCorps! If you share these Core Values, we want to hear from you. By checking this site often, you can learn more about the Zoo and what we have to offer.

About Diversity and Inclusion at the Cincinnati Zoo

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden CELEBRATES the diversity of our plants & animals, staff, visitors, and community. We believe the Zoo should be a place where everyone can be themselves. We strive for the Zoo to be a place where differences are recognized, welcomed, and celebrated through our culture, processes, programs, and very presence in the community.

We ACKNOWLEDGE that inequity is an issue we must confront and address. We recognize that some communities face barriers that limit engagement with the Zoo and our mission. We are working to understand these barriers and take actions that will support systemic change to benefit everyone.

We COMMIT to openness and transparency. We will seek out and listen to diverse voices to help us shape our role in the community and as an advocate for social and environmental justice. Recognizing that we cannot achieve our mission without a central focus on equity, we commit to an intentional path forward.

Join the Team

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is an equal opportunity employer and accepts employment applications and/or resumes for current open positions only.

Internships

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Internship Program is designed for current college students or recent college graduates. Under the guidance and supervision of Zoo staff, interns will develop skills and gain valuable real-world experience in their field of interest.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Intern Program provides students with a unique opportunity to work and learn from Zoo staff, gain valuable hands-on experience, develop professional contacts in the Zoo community, and attend lectures and continuing education courses presented by staff from various departments. Topics include basic animal husbandry, operant conditioning, enrichment, nutrition, veterinary care, public speaking and presentations, green practices and conservation, and job-seeking/interview skills.

Qualifications:

1. Current college student working toward a degree in a related field or a recent graduate with a related degree;
2. Hard-working, highly motivated, and professional;
3. Demonstrate commitment to working with children, adults, and wildlife in a zoo setting;
4. Comfortable working with and handling many different species encompassing all classes of animals.

Successful candidates will embrace and continuously demonstrate the Core Values of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

Click for Working Conditions and other requirements

While performing the duties of this position, the intern is regularly required to stand, walk, climb or balance and grasp objects. In addition, the intern is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions; must be able to lift & move 50 pounds without mechanical assistance. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is open 364 days a year. Interns can expect to have a regular schedule but may be scheduled to participate on some weekends, holidays, etc.

• All animal interns must be fully vaccinated for COVID and provide documentation of the date.
• Appointment is conditional upon passing a pre-start drug & nicotine screen.
• Must provide a negative TB test result before beginning the internship.
• Candidates must provide proof of current medical insurance and maintain this insurance for the duration of the internship.

Internships are 14 weeks and typically follow a full-time workweek pattern: 4-5 consecutive days per week, ~8 hours per day, generally from 7-8 am to 3-4 pm. The department supervisor sets final schedules.

The internship program provides a stipend compensation of $2,625 to offset the cost of living expenses incurred while participating in the internship learning experience.

To apply for an internship, qualified applicants must apply via our online application on our website. Please be prepared to provide the following documents and information with your application:

• Cover letter and resume (PDF format required);
• Contact information for one professional reference.

Note that individuals can only do a maximum of two internship sessions (in different departments) at the Zoo.

Summer Internship Session: May – August. Applications are accepted from January 1 – February 15.

Fall Internship Session: September – December. Applications are accepted from May 15 – July 15.

Winter Internship Session: January – April. Applications are accepted from September 15 – November 15.

The mandatory Summer 2025 intern orientation will take place on May 12th.

Applicants are welcome to apply to more than one Internship Opportunity per session. To do so, applicants must complete a separate application per opportunity by clicking on the specific link within each description. Intern applicants can only be accepted for one opportunity per session.

Thank you for your interest! If you have additional questions, please email [e-mail].