2026 Summer Internship - Animal Care

Chattanooga Zoo • Chattanooga, TN

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Chattanooga Zoo Animal Care Internship program is a husbandry-based experience that will provide foundational knowledge and skill set needed to enter the animal care field. This experience-based opportunity gives interns hands-on skills assisting staff in the daily care of animals and exhibits, record keeping, and interacting with zoo guests . Th is is a paid internship position that offers college credit based on your college or institution's requirements and provides an opportunity for learning and experience in the following focus areas: Hoofstook - Giraffe, Highland cattle, warthog, and more Primate - chimp, mangabey, spider monkey, gibbon, tamarin, and more Ambassador Animal - African serval, Cape porcupine, parrots, birds of prey, reptiles, and more Small Mammal - fennec fox, spotted genet, meerkat, sand cat, and more Large Carnivore - jaguar, cougar, snow leopard, coyote, and more Herpetology - Komodo dragons, Chinese alligators, Burmese python, hellbender, Aldabra tortoise, and more

Requirements

• Minimum 18 years of age
• Currently enrolled in a college or university or have graduated within the past 12 months
• Completed at least 30 college credits with a 2.5 GPA or above
• Available to work 24 hours per week (336 total hours)
• Available for 14 weeks for one of the two sessions: Session 1: 5/11/2026 - 8/16/2026 OR Session 2: 5/18/2026 - 8/23/2026
• Ability to read, speak and write English in order to successfully complete essential job functions
• Willing and able to work outdoors in all types of weather
• Passion for working with animals and serious about learning
• Successfully complete a background check, drug screen, and TB skin test
• Submission of a completed application on ApplicantPro which includes all of the following: Transcript of college coursework confirming 30 or more college hours with a 2.5 GPA or above Resume and cover letter which includes your area of interest R eference letter of a NON-family member on official company or school letterhead with a date and a signature

Responsibilities

• Performs outdoor tasks including daily husbandry routines, diet preparation and distribution, enrichment distribution and evaluation, behavioral observations
• Observe operant conditioning sessions with a multitude of species
• Participates in public education spotlights
• Maintain accurate records
• Comply with all Chattanooga Zoo policies and procedures

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed