Internship Program

Little Rock Zoo’s Conservation Education department is looking for highly motivated individuals to join our summer internship program. Interns will gain experience in program development and facilitation while exploring best practices in guest engagement, interpretation, and conservation messaging as it relates to wildlife and environmental topics.

Interns will assist staff with Zoofari day camp, early childhood programs, awareness day events, ambassador animal presentations and other educational experiences. Candidates applying for this internship should be comfortable interacting with diverse audiences, presenting in front of crowds, and enjoy working with children. Tasks may require some strenuous activity, so candidates should be in good health and be able to apply safe working practices. Interns will also have the opportunity to learn about zoo management, and animal welfare topics through lectures and activities offered throughout the summer.

Conservation Education Interns will have three learning tracks available to choose from as their primary focus during their summer:

1. Early learners and nature play
2. Program evaluation
3. Community and partnership-based programs

Please be prepared to discuss your interests during the interview process.

Conservation Education Interns will also learn about and may be trained to handle some ambassador animals, however, this is not a keeper internship and animal interaction will be limited. Those with an interest in animal husbandry may find the Animal Care Internship be a more suitable option.

Commitments:

1. Available to attend Intern Orientation - Mandatory
2. Able to work 36-40 hours per week for a minimum of 8 consecutive weeks (minimum 280 hours completed by end date). Available to work weekends and holidays

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Positive attitude, willingness to learn, and strong work ethic
2. Ability to work in outdoor conditions and be comfortable navigating uneven terrain
3. Comfortable working in a team setting and taking on individual tasks and responsibilities
4. College student or recent graduate majoring in education, biology, or a related field
5. Must have completed a minimum of 4 semesters at the start of the internship
6. Student in good standing, GPA 2.5 or higher
7. Ability to safety lift up to 50lbs, or ask for an assisted two-person carry
8. Acceptance into the program is contingent on passing a background check, physical, and negative TB test (dated within 6 months of start date.) Documentation will be required the first day of the internship term.

Little Rock Zoo animal care interns work alongside the zoo’s animal keepers learning the ins and outs of animal husbandry in a zoological setting. Tasks may include but are not limited to feeding, cleaning, enrichment, training, exhibit maintenance, and public speaking. These duties include some strenuous activity so candidates should be in good health, capable of lifting up to 50lbs, and able to apply safe working practices. Suitable candidates must be positive and patient with well-developed observational skills and work ethic. Weekly schedule may vary so interns must be flexible; any possible conflicts must be mentioned prior to the acceptance of the position. Interns will also have the opportunity to learn about zoo management and animal welfare topics through lectures and activities offered throughout the summer.

Minimum Qualification and Additional Requirements:

• College student or recent graduate majoring in education, conservation, biology, or other related field
• Must have completed a minimum of 4 semesters at the start of the internship
• Student in good standing, GPA 2.5 or higher
• Capable of lifting 50 lbs
• Up-to-date vaccinations, recent physical and negative TB test (dated within 6 months of start date). Documentation will be required the first day of the internship term. Covid-19 vaccination will be required for animal care internships.
• Available to work weekends and holidays
• Able to work 36-40 hours per week for a minimum of 8 consecutive weeks (minimum 280 hours completed by end date).
• Acceptance into the program is contingent on passing a background check
• Available to attend Intern Orientation - Mandatory

Animal Care Internship Types: 

Ambassador Animal Care Internship

Species in the Ambassador Animal area include African penguin, bald eagle, spur-thigh tortoise, opossum and a large variety of other small mammals, birds of prey, and reptiles. Additionally, interns may participate in the Zoo’s educational programs including the Wild Wonders Animal Show, off-site programming, and media appearances.

Arkansas Heritage Farm Internship

The Arkansas Heritage Farm is home to a variety of heritage breed domestic mammals such as Nigerian goats, Boer Goats, Blackbelly sheep, Chinchilla rabbits and more. Farm staff also care for domestic, native, and exotic birds waterfowl including flamingos, owls, and numerous varieties of chickens, ducks, and geese.

Carnivore Internship

Carnivore interns will shadow carnivore keepers learning the husbandry of a wide variety of carnivores with an emphasis on safety. Species in this internship big and small cats, bears, otters, and canids.

Herpetology Internship

Interns in this department will learn about the husbandry and care of a large variety of reptiles and amphibians, and will assist with daily care, conservation-based programs, and educational opportunities for our visitors. Species include American alligator, large tortoises, and a variety of venomous and nonvenomous snakes, turtles, frogs, fish, and invertebrates. Interns will learn about safe handling techniques for all species; however, interns will not be directly handling venomous animals.

Hoofstock and Birds Internship

Hoofstock and Birds interns will shadow both the large and small hoofstock teams learning the daily routines and care practices for large variety of species. These Interns will be exposed to the Asian elephant program and daily routine, however direct experience with the elephants will be limited. Species in this internship also include black rhino, plains zebra, giant anteater, red river hogs, lorikeet, ostrich, a variety of free flight tropical birds and more. 

Primates Internship

Primate interns will learn the husbandry practices specific to primates though shadowing primate and great ape keepers and assisting with their daily routines. Species in this internship include great apes, lesser apes, various monkey species, and prosimians.