Reptiles Internship

Caldwell Zoo; Tyler (TX); On-site; USD 15,000 - 16,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Housing available (with deduction)

Job summary

Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, TX offers a Spring 2027 paid internship in Animal Husbandry within the Reptile Department. Interns gain hands-on experience in reptile care, behavior, nutrition, and habitat maintenance alongside experienced staff.

The program covers daily husbandry, preventive health care, and safety protocols, with opportunities to shadow multiple departments and engage with guests. Typical schedule is weekdays, 7:00 a.m.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older
• Sophomore in college or higher class
• Overall GPA 2.5 or higher
• Background check required
• Negative TB test documentation required
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds and work outdoors in varying weather conditions

Responsibilities

• Safe methods of exotic animal handling and restraint
• Animal behavior, husbandry, and record keeping
• Animal nutrition, including preparation and distribution of diets
• Preventative medicine and disease treatment
• Habitat maintenance and environmental monitoring (temperature & humidity)
• Water quality testing and changes
• Cleaning and maintaining animal enclosures
• Visitor relations and guest engagement
• Knowledge of and adherence to all emergency procedures and safety protocols
• Observe animal medical procedures when permitted
• Attend Veterinary Department meetings
• Assist keepers with daily husbandry tasks and departmental projects
• Shadow up to five additional Zoo departments to gain exposure to other areas of zoological operations

Skills

Exotic animal handling

Animal behavior

Animal nutrition

Preventative medicine

Habitat maintenance

Water quality testing

Enclosure cleaning

Guest engagement

Safety procedures

Lifting 40 pounds

Outdoor work

Observe medical procedures

Vet department meetings

Husbandry tasks

Shadow other departments

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Intern Tyler, TX, US

Spring 2027 paid internships are available at Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas in the areas of Animal Husbandry within the Reptile Department.

Caldwell Zoo offers paid internships for motivated college students seeking hands‑on experience in animal husbandry and the zoological profession. The Reptile Husbandry Internship provides students with the opportunity to work alongside experienced animal care professionals while developing practical skills in the daily care, management, and well‑being of a diverse collection of reptiles.

Interns will gain experience in reptile husbandry, animal behavior, nutrition, habitat maintenance, and preventative health care while learning about the responsibilities of working in a zoological setting. This internship is designed to help prepare students for future careers in zoos, wildlife facilities, and related fields.

Animal Collection

Interns will have opportunities to learn about the care and management of a variety of reptile species housed at Caldwell Zoo. Animal assignments and learning opportunities will depend on departmental needs and operational schedules.

• Safe methods of exotic animal handling and restraint
• Animal behavior, husbandry, and record keeping
• Animal nutrition, including the preparation and distribution of animal diets
• Preventative medicine and disease treatment
• Habitat maintenance and environmental monitoring, including temperature and humidity requirements
• Water quality testing and water changes, where applicable
• Cleaning and maintaining animal enclosures
• Visitor relations and guest engagement
• Knowledge of and adherence to all emergency procedures and safety protocols
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and work outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Observe animal medical procedures, when permitted
• Attend a Veterinary Department meeting
• Assist animal keepers with daily husbandry tasks and departmental projects
• Shadow up to five additional Zoo departments to gain exposure to other areas of zoological operations

Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Must be a sophomore in college or have a higher classification
• Overall GPA must be 2.5 or higher
• Must successfully pass a background check
• Must provide documentation of a negative TB test
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds and work outdoors in varying weather conditions

Students pursuing degrees in zoology, animal science, biology, wildlife science, herpetology, or related fields are encouraged to apply.

Duration

January 13th – May 11th

Please plan to arrive at least three business days before the start date to complete the required onboarding process.

Any time off requested during the internship, excluding illness or emergencies, must be discussed during the interview and approved before the internship begins.

Work Schedule

The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. However, daily hours may vary depending on veterinary procedures, animal care needs, and departmental activities.

Compensation & Housing

This is a paid internship.

• Gross Pay: $580.62 biweekly, before taxes and applicable deductions.
• Housing: Optional housing may be provided for interns who need accommodations during the internship. A housing deduction will be applied to the intern’s pay if housing is elected.

Additional details regarding housing availability and the applicable deduction will be provided during the interview process.