Animal Care Internship: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium - Rocky Shores & Arctic Tundra

Parks Tacoma•Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, WA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Care Internship at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium takes place in the Rocky Shores / Arctic Tundra area and runs for 12 weeks from January through March 2027, with a commitment of 40 hours per week. Under the guidance of experienced Staff Biologists, interns work alongside zookeepers and receive on-the-job instruction in habitat maintenance, nutrition and diets, environmental enrichment, public presentation and interpretation, water quality and filtration, species natural history, training, and husbandry. Interns are expected to design, budget, and implement a small project. The internship is a limited-term program supported by stipend payments from The Zoo Society. Stipends are taxable income. Interns are not classified as employees of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, The Zoo Society, or Parks Tacoma.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent certification.
Must demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career in wildlife care and protection.
Must have paid or volunteer experience working with animals, such as at a zoological institution, wildlife rehabilitation center, veterinary clinic, laboratory, or related facility.
Must be able to commit to 40 hours per week for a minimum of 12 weeks.
Must be capable of lifting and carrying objects or animals weighing up to 50 pounds.
Must be able to push, climb, walk, kneel, and crouch while working with and feeding animals.
Must have the hand and finger dexterity needed to operate specialized equipment and tools.

Responsibilities

Clean and maintain animal exhibits and holding areas.
Observe animals and keep records.
Prepare animal diets and provide appropriate vitamin supplementation.
Implement and assess environmental enrichment.
Learn and practice animal-training principles, including reinforcement and operant conditioning.
Monitor water-quality parameters in habitat filtration systems.
Share information with guests about the animals and their natural history.
Design, budget, and implement a small project.