Internships

The Ambassador Animal Intern will work alongside our Ambassador Animal Specialists, who care for all of the species that we have and present in an educational manner. They will learn the basic husbandry of these animals including cleaning, feeding, enrichment, preparing diets, handling, and some training aspects. These interns will learn how to handle and present our level 1 ambassadors for guests within the zoo. They will also participate in presentations led by our ambassador animal specialists that will teach them the basics of ambassador animal care. Those presentations include hands on learning opportunities and projects that will help benefit our ambassador animals and provide hands on experience for our intern.

Requirements:
Preferred candidates should be enrolled in, or have completed, an undergraduate program or studies in zoology, education, biology, or a related field and/or experience in an education or zoo field. Must be available to work for a 3 month period, 3 days a week, each day from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Interns should identify any special requirements for receiving academic credit at the start of the internship. During this internship, interns must agree to abide by all Zoo New England regulations concerning safety and conduct. They also must comply with ZNE’s dress code

Terms:

Spring/Summer 2024
Application Deadline: February 15th, 2024
Start Date: April 11th, 2024 | End Date: July 11th , 2024

Fall 2024
Application Deadline: July 11th 2024
Start Date: September 5th, 2024 | End Date: December 5th, 2024

Winter 2025
Application Deadline: November 8th, 2024
Start Date: January 9th , 2025 | End Date: April 10th, 2025

To apply for this internship, please email your resume and cover letter to Amy Armenti, aarmenti@zoonewengland.org. Please put which term you are applying for in the subject line.

The application deadline for the 2024 Animal Care Internship has passed. Details for the 2025 Animal Care Internship will be posted in December 2024.

Location:
Franklin Park Zoo or Stone Zoo

Description:
The Animal Care Intern will work alongside our Zoo Keeper staff as they care for the animals in our collection. They will learn basic husbandry including cleaning, feeding, behavioral observation, enrichment, and preparing diets. They will also develop the skills to interpret information related to our animal collection and their care with our guests. This internship will culminate with the intern designing, proposing, and completing a project to present upon their graduation.

Requirements:
Preferred candidates should have completed their sophomore year in an undergraduate program in zoology, education, biology, or a related field and/or experience in an education or zoo field. Must be available from 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Interns are required to submit written documentation from a physician or clinic of a negative TB test taken within the last 12 months. Interns who want to earn college credit should identify any special requirements for receiving academic credit before the start of the internship.

Term:
Interns are required to complete 320 hours over the course of 10-12 weeks. This commitment is for 32 hours a week.

During this internship, interns must agree to abide by all Zoo New England regulations concerning safety and conduct. They must also comply with ZNE’s uniform policy.

The application deadline for the 2024 Animal Wellbeing Internship has passed. Please check this page again for 2025 details.

Location:
Primarily Franklin Park Zoo with occasional days at Stone Zoo

Description:
The Animal Wellbeing Intern will be working alongside our Animal Wellbeing Advisor to learn about how we manage our animal welfare assessment and enrichment programs. The Intern will assist in behavioral observations of our animals in the context of applied animal welfare. With the support of staff, they will complete an observation-based behavior project that will help us gain a better understanding of our animals’ interactions with enrichment and how that contributes to their wellbeing. They will also assist in our enrichment program by learning how to complete enrichment plans and build environmental enrichment devices based on behavioral goals set by the staff. This position does not work directly with the animals and is primarily desk-based, but will participate in activities around the zoo.

Benefits:
The selected intern will have the opportunity to learn about animal behavioral management within an AZA accredited facility, through hands-on participation, observation, and mentoring by our staff. They will be trained on how to collect quantifiable behavioral data and learn how to interpret and present their findings. Our internship can be applied for college credit in accordance with your institution’s policy. Interns get free Zoo admission to both Stone and Franklin Park Zoo for the duration of your internship as well as discounts on purchases in our gift shop and food stands.

If working in a zoo animal welfare team is a goal of yours, this internship is a wonderful way to get a better understanding of how Zoos operate to see if this industry is right for you.

Requirements:
Must be 18+ years old and currently enrolled in an undergraduate program or a recent graduate. Preferred candidates should have minimally completed their sophomore year in an undergraduate program in animal science, psychology, biology, or a related field and must have an interest in animal behavior and welfare. When out on zoo grounds must be able to positively interact with zoo visitors and answer questions. Must be available from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Mo, Tu, Th, Fr, but final schedule will be decided in collaboration with the Animal Wellbeing Advisor. Interns who want to earn college credit should identify any special requirements for receiving academic credit before the start of the internship. Must be comfortable working in all weather conditions and in areas with strong odors, dust, hay or animal dander.

Term:
The Animal Wellbeing Intern is required to complete 160 hours over the course of 10-12 weeks. This commitment is for 16 hours a week, in either two 8-hour days per week, or a combination of 4- and 8-hour days, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays.
During this internship, interns must agree to abide by all Zoo New England regulations concerning safety and conduct. They must also comply with ZNE’s uniform policy.

This internship is unpaid and no reimbursement is given for housing or transportation.

Apply:
To apply for this internship, please complete the application linked below. After completion you will receive an email with steps to submit additional required paperwork (listed below). Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• A resume
• Two written letters of reference from professors and/or former employers. These letters should address your aptitude, preparation, and suitability for an internship with the Zoo.