About the role
Animal Welfare Internship
Racine Zoo is seeking dedicated and enthusiastic interns to work alongside Animal Care Specialists to assist in maintaining the animal collection. Interns are involved in various aspects of animal care, including daily husbandry, diet preparation and delivery, exhibit maintenance, behavioral enrichment preparation, animal observations, and informal educational interactions with Zoo guests.
Internship candidates must have completed one year of college and be working towards a degree in biology, zoology, animal behavior, or any other related field. Candidates must have excellent communication skills, observation skills, and have the ability to work in a team environment. They must be reliable, trustworthy, and be able to follow oral and/or written instructions. Zoo keeping is a physically demanding profession, and interns are subjected to a variety of physical and environmental challenges. Interns may be required to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Tasks are occasionally strenuous and interns must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. A current negative TB test is required and a tetanus vaccination is highly recommended. Intern positions are experience based and are therefore unpaid. Housing is not provided. It is required that an intern dedicates 12 weeks with a minimum of 4 days per week (schedules may be flexible based on the candidate's availability). They must also complete a project and/or paper that will benefit the zoo.
Spring Semester Internships:
Deadline for application: December 31
Summer Internships
May – August
Deadline for application: March 1
Fall Semester Internships:
Deadline for application: September 15
It is advisable to apply as early as possible.
To apply, please send a cover letter, resumé, and a list of three references to:
Racine Zoo
Attention: Angie Sagert
Intern/Volunteer Coordinator
200 Goold Street
Racine, WI 53402
or email akutchery@racinezoo.org with the subject line "Animal Welfare Internship"
No phone calls, please.