2026 Summer Risk Management and Occupational Safety Intern - OKC Zoo
About The Position
Bring your curiosity. Bring your drive. We’ll bring the experience. Join the OKC Zoo for our Summer 2026 Internship Program and get hands-on opportunities to learn, lead, and leave your mark while making a meaningful impact. The Risk Management and Occupational Safety Internship will introduce the field of professional risk management and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), in the unique environment of Zoos and attractions, to prospective industry members. This position will prepare the intern in regulatory compliance, hazardous materials management, incident investigation, employee training and education, hazard mitigation, and the development of operational workflows. This role is ideal for a student seeking comprehensive exposure to OSH within a unique and complex facility. Development Outcomes An intern in this position will complete assigned tasks resulting in the following learning outcomes: Organizational Integration: Intern will develop an understanding of how Risk Management and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) operations support the OKC Zoo’s mission, specifically by protecting the staff, guests, and animal collection. Regulatory & Accreditation Standards: Intern will learn to apply federal and state safety regulations (OSHA and PEOSH) alongside AZA accreditation standards within a complex, multi-departmental facility through site-wide inspections and audits. Investigative Proficiency: Intern will develop a practical understanding of the OJI and workers' compensation workflow, learning to use Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and the Hierarchy of Controls to mitigate future workplace hazards. Emergency Preparedness: Intern will learn the principles of the Incident Command System (ICS) and gain hands-on experience in the planning, execution, and after-action reporting of facility-wide emergency drills. Hazardous Materials Management: Intern will learn to manage facility-wide chemical inventories utilizing specialized safety software to ensure GHS compliance. Technical Communication: Intern will develop skills in safety instruction by creating visual training aids and delivering safety talks tailored to diverse departmental audiences. Safety Committee Leadership: Intern will be involved in Zoo and Municipal Safety Committee meetings, learning how to track corrective action items and participate in professional safety governance. Health Campaign Coordination: Intern will coordinate a seasonal campaign (e.g., Heat Stress Prevention), managing education, monitoring, and staff engagement. Operational Risk Awareness: Intern will develop the ability to identify and analyze unique risks inherent to a zoological setting—including animal-human interfaces, large-scale guest attractions, and specialized facility infrastructure.
Requirements
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Commitment of designated schedule
- Current college or graduate student pursuing an applicable degree, recent graduate of an applicable degree, or relevant education with interest in transitioning into an applicable career
- Interest in pursuing career in event management or sales
- Have the ability to work well in a busy and fast paced environment
- Provide own housing and transportation
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
