Browse Operations Intern - Summer 2026

Dallas Zoo Management • Dallas, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Browse is pre-approved plants (trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers, etc) offered to animals for food, enrichment or as habitat furniture. The Browse Program is part of the Nutrition Department, which oversees collection and distribution of pre-approved trees by either working with the local tree service companies, community donations, or harvesting from partner sites. The browse that is collected can be used throughout the entire Zoo. The intern will be working with the Nutritionist, Browse Assistant Manager and Browse Specialist as well as interacting with animal care staff. The intern will learn plant identification and harvest techniques including the use of battery-operated power tools. This position involves lifting and carrying plant material outdoors in all weather conditions.
The Dallas Zoo College Internship Program provides a learning opportunity for currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students at an accredited college/university in the United States. Interns become actively involved in the Zoo’s animal care departments, conservation/research efforts, operations, and/or administrative positions.
Interns work 24 hours per week for a maximum of 12 weeks. Each placement is designed to help the intern gain experience related to their education. Most internship positions are unpaid. The Zoo does not provide transportation, housing or a stipend.
All interns will be required to complete an educational project, participate in at least one service learning project, and attend professional development sessions designed especially for Dallas Zoo interns.
The Dallas Zoo Volunteer Services Department will work with students/schools to document internship experience needed to gain university/college credit.

Requirements

• Must be available 24-40 hours per week for up to 12 weeks (dependent on area) including holidays and weekends
• Flexible, self-motivated, and a team player
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain an effective rapport with all levels of management, employees, and zoo guests
• Have good observational skills
• Able to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull, bend, climb stairs and ladders, carry up to and including 50lbs, and actively work in inclement weather, especially summer heat.
• Have a valid US driver’s license with reliable transportation
• Must be otherwise eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of the internship
• Pass a background check
• Provide a current negative TB test prior to the internship start date
• Have some computer knowledge
• Must be currently enrolled in a college or university or within one year post graduation
• Botany, Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, Plant Science or related major

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual beneficial

Responsibilities

• Intern will be expected to work outside in the summer months.
• They will learn how to identify browsable plants and the proper pruning/cutting techniques of the browse as well as assisting the Browse Team with pickups and deliveries.
• The work includes but is not limited to dragging, separating, lifting, throwing, getting in and out of both the cab and the bed of trucks, working around heavy machinery, and climbing onto brush piles.
• Intern will have the opportunity to run battery operated tools to cut approved trees.
• Intern will assist in the distribution of the browse amongst the multiple departments.
• They will also assist in collection and storage of browse for freezing, allowing browse to be fed in winter months.
• Intern may also be involved in caring for browse species planted onsite as well as other special projects.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed