Dallas College Internship - Browse Team Internship
About The Position
The Dallas Zoo Browse Team is crucial for supporting animal health, enrichment, and natural behaviors by providing fresh browse to animals throughout the zoo, which also enhances habitat complexity and enrichment strategies. Student interns will work alongside Browse staff, receiving hands-on training in safe browse collection and handling. They will learn basic identification of trees and shrubs, including harmful species, and assist with planting and caring for browse plants on zoo grounds. Interns will be involved in harvesting browse from approved locations using appropriate tools, loading it into vehicles, securing it for transport, and distributing it to animal areas daily. The role also involves learning and practicing food safety, staff safety, and animal welfare procedures, while building skills in teamwork, communication, and customer service within a professional zoo environment. The ideal candidate is a highly motivated student interested in animals, plants, conservation, outdoor work, and understanding behind-the-scenes zoo operations that support animal care. Interns are expected to work 19.5 hours per week for 8-12 weeks and are required to complete an educational project, participate in a service-learning project, and attend professional development sessions.
Requirements
- Ability to perform physical tasks involved in daily browse operations, including walking long distances, standing for extended periods, lifting/carrying materials weighing up to approximately 50 lbs., sitting, kneeling, stooping, bending, twisting, reaching overhead, pulling, and climbing stairs or ladders
- Ability and willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions, including heat, cold, and inclement weather
- Ability to follow safety instructions and work effectively as part of a team
- Must be a current college student or have graduated within the last year
- Available to work 19.5 hours per week for 8-12 consecutive weeks
- Must successfully pass a background check
- Must provide proof of a negative TB test prior to start
- Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat
- Ability to move throughout Zoo grounds as needed
Nice To Haves
- Highly motivated student
- Interested in animals, plants, conservation, outdoor work
- Interested in learning how behind-the-scenes zoo operations support animal care
Responsibilities
- Receive hands-on training in collecting and handling browse safely
- Learn basic identification of trees and shrubs, including how to recognize potentially harmful plant species
- Help plant and care for browse plants on zoo grounds
- Harvest safe browse from approved locations using appropriate tools
- Assist with loading browse into trucks or trailers and securing it for safe transport
- Help distribute browse to animal areas based on daily needs
- Learn and practice food safety, staff safety, and animal welfare procedures
- Build skills in teamwork, communication, and customer service while working in a professional zoo environment
- Complete an educational project
- Participate in at least one service-learning project
- Attend professional development sessions designed specifically for Dallas Zoo interns
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
101-250 employees
