Animal Care Internship: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium - Asian Forest Sanctuary

Animal Care InternshipSESSION LENGTH: 40 hours/week for 12 weeks, January through March 2027LOCATION: Asian Forest Sanctuary, Point Defiance Zoo & AquariumPoint Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is the only combined zoo and aquarium in the Pacific Northwest. The 29-acre zoological park was established in 1905, and attracts over 800,000 visitors a year. It is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), which ensures rigorously high standards of animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, education and more. The Zoo sits within 700-acre Point Defiance Park, offering spectacular views of Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is operated by Parks Tacoma.OUR MISSION - Awakening a connection to Wild Life with everyone in the Pacific Northwest. To learn more visit pdza.org.Our Animal Care internship is designed to provide instruction in the following areas: habitat maintenance, nutrition and diets, environmental enrichment, public presentation/interpretation, species natural history, training, and husbandry.This Internship will take place in the Asian Forest Sanctuary, and is a unique opportunity for interns to work alongside zookeepers and gain valuable on the job training.Essential DutiesUnder the guidance of experienced Staff Biologists, interns will have the opportunity to gain experience in many areas of expertise, including, but not limited to:Daily Animal Care: Cleaning and general maintenance of exhibits and holding areasAnimal Observation and Record-keeping: Nutrition and diets. Diet preparation. Appropriate vitamin supplementation. Environmental enrichment. Implementation and analysis.Animal Training: Understanding and practicing the principles of animal training (reinforcement, operant conditioning, benefits of training).Public Presentation: Sharing to guests the stories and natural history of the animals in our care.Project Completion: Interns will be expected to design, budget and implement a small project.Safety: Learning and consistently demonstrating safe work practices, including maintaining situational awareness while working in a rotational area with dangerous animals.Minimum QualificationsWe are committed to finding the best overall candidate and welcome candidates who may come from less traditional backgrounds. Please consider the breadth of your life experience when interpreting our listed duties and qualifications.Must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent certification.Must have a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career towards the care and protection of wild life.Paid or volunteer experience working with animals. Examples may include, but are not limited to, zoological institutions, wildlife rehabilitation centers, veterinary clinics, laboratories, or other related facilities.This is an in-depth program requiring a 40 hour per week commitment, for a minimum of 12 weeks. Eligible candidates must be able to commit to 40 hours a week for 12 weeks.Additional InformationApplication ProcessComplete the online application. Submit your application for consideration.Answer the supplemental questions in the online application. Complete the included supplemental questions to help us better understand your qualifications and experience.Application Screening and Review. Application and supplemental questions responses will be reviewed by a cross-departmental team as received. Applicants selected to move forward will receive an invitation to interview and be contacted to coordinate scheduling.Panel Interview. Selected applicants will participate in a panel interview to discuss their experience, qualifications, and interest in the position.Physical Demands: Interns must be capable of the physical requirements required to work with animals, specifically:Lifting and carrying heavy objects or animals weighing up to 50 pounds.Pushing, climbing, walking, kneeling and crouching to work with and feed animals.Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate specialized equipment and tools.Hazards:Exposure to potentially dangerous and sick animals.Exposure to animal bodily fluids/products.Chemicals, fumes, odors, poor ventilation and noise.Contact with dissatisfied visitors.Environment:Indoor and outdoor environment throughout the yearAdverse weather conditions.Cold water while interacting with animals and cleaning exhibits.Confined or dark work areas.BenefitsInterns at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium are provided a $7,500 stipend to assist with general living costs paid in monthly installments across the 12 week term. Stipends are generously provided by The Zoo Society for Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Paid internships are designed to provide instruction within an educational environment, including clinical and hands-on experiences that directly support the intern's formal education. An intern's work complements, rather than replaces, the responsibilities of paid employees, providing significant educational benefits throughout the experience. Participation in a paid internship program does not, in any way, suggest, imply or promise an offer of employment upon program conclusion. *Stipend funds are considered taxable income that should be reported on your taxes. Note: THIS BENEFIT OVERVIEW IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN MAY BE MODIFIED AND/OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.