Zoo Apprenticeship Program (ZAP)

Oregon Metro • Oregon Zoo, OR

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Oregon Zoo Zoo Apprenticeship Program (ZAP) is a grant-funded, multi-year paid internship for high school youth interested in community engagement, wildlife, and conservation. Each year, approximately 10 new youth are hired. Participants take part across three summers and two school years, with an opportunity to extend. Most participation takes place during the summer, with consistent hours during the school year. Participants are expected to work approximately 10 hours per month during the school year and approximately 12–20 hours per week during July and August, generally across two or three shifts per week. First-year apprentices earn $18.01 per hour, with the hourly amount increasing with each year of service.

Apprentices develop and deliver programming for community-based organizations, including leading customized zoo tours and facilitating activities with children. They explore zoo careers through informational sessions and job shadows, learn about animal wellbeing, conservation, and diversity and inclusion work, and explore Pacific Northwest natural areas. In the second school year and third summer, participants may have the opportunity to be placed in a zoo department related to a career interest. The zoo provides gear and transportation from the zoo to recreation sites.

Applicants must be 15–16 years old, attend high school as a freshman or sophomore during the 2026–2027 school year, be eligible to work in the United States, and live in Multnomah, Washington, or Clackamas County. Applicants must be willing to commit to three summers and two school years and attend the program's orientation, training days, monthly meetings, school-year sessions, summer sessions, and periodic additional events. The posting emphasizes applications from current high school students ages 14–16 in these counties, with an emphasis on low-income youth and youth of color; the stated qualification criteria specify ages 15–16.

Requirements

• Be 15–16 years old; applicants must be at least 15 by March 1, 2027.
• Be a high school freshman or sophomore during the 2026–2027 school year.
• Be eligible to work in the United States.
• Live in Multnomah, Washington, or Clackamas County.
• Commit to three summers and two school years.
• Attend the required orientation, training days, monthly meetings, school-year sessions, summer sessions, and periodic additional events.
• Work approximately 10 hours per month during the school year, primarily on weekends, and approximately 12–20 hours per week during July and August.

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in more than one language.
• Eligibility for Federal Free or Reduced Lunch or income eligibility for social service programs such as WIC, SNAP, Oregon Health Plan, or the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
• Enthusiasm for working with community members of all ages.
• Curiosity and motivation to learn about wildlife and conservation.
• Comfort working in outdoor conditions, including rain, sunshine, and mud.
• Interest in developing experiences in science or conservation.
• Attendance at a partner school: Jefferson, Reynolds, Roosevelt, Parkrose, David Douglas, Hillsboro High School, or Aloha High School.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver programming for community-based organizations.
• Lead customized zoo tours for visiting community groups.
• Facilitate games or activities with children during zoo visits.
• Participate in career exploration, including informational sessions and job shadows in zoo departments.
• Learn about animal wellbeing, conservation, and diversity and inclusion work at the zoo.
• Explore local natural areas and participate in outdoor activities.
• Attend orientation, training days, monthly meetings, school-year sessions, summer sessions, and additional scheduled meetings, trainings, and special events.

Benefits

• Paid internship; first-year pay is $18.01 per hour, with the hourly amount increasing with each year of service.
• The zoo provides gear and transportation from the zoo to recreation sites.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: High school or GED