Intern (multiple departments available)

Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Omaha, NE

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
SKILLS
Animal Care, Animal Husbandry, Animal Research, Background Investigation, Biology, Business Operations, Career Counseling, Communication Skills, Conservation, Construction Safety, Custodial Services, Customer Support/Service, Disease, Facebook, Housekeeping/Cleaning, Knowledge Base, Nutrition, Organizational Skills, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Property Maintenance, Time Management, Twitter, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Work From Home, Zoology
LOCATION
Omaha, NE
POSTED
10 days ago

How to Post Jobs

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, Related Facilities, Commercial Members, Conservation Partners and Society Partners may post free unlimited online job listings as a member benefit. Non-members can purchase job listings. How to post a job

Career Center

Interested in a career in AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums? Learn more about types of zoo and aquarium jobs and relevant education programs in our career center.

Omaha''s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

Intern (multiple departments available)

Job Title: Intern (multiple departments available)

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Classification: Seasonal

Hours: Up to 24 hours per week for 12 weeks

Pay Rate: $15.00/hour

This is a seasonal position with a maximum duration of six months, based on individual performance and business operations. The exact end date will be determined by the official start date.

FALL INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE TO APPLY TO:

  • Meadowlark Theater (free flight bird amphitheater)
  • Animal Behavior and Wellbeing
  • Hoofstock
  • Amphibian Conservation Area
  • Browse
  • Desert Dome Reptiles
  • Desert Dome Mammals
  • Birds
  • Aquarium Birds
  • Aquarium Fish
  • Butterfly and Insect Pavilion
  • Sea Lions
  • Elephant
  • Asian Highlands
  • Expedition Madagascar
  • Nutrition

SCHEDULE: The fall session runs September 22nd - December 14th, 2026. All interns must be available during this time.

  • Orientation: First day of each semester from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. All interns must be available to attend orientation in-person.
  • Weekly Schedule: Must be available to work up to 24 hours per week and attend one weekly afternoon professional development session starting the second week of their internship. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays. Schedules will be determined before internships begin by working with the Intern Coordinator and animal area supervisors.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Develop, work on, and present an internship project aligned with the research needs of animal care staff in their area.

  • Attend weekly professional development sessions.

  • Complete learning goals on internship checklist.

  • Participate in and complete a mid-point and final evaluation.

  • Assist in and complete tasks as assigned, including but not limited to:

  • Cleaning and general maintenance of the exhibits and building.

  • Daily care of animal collection.

  • Recordkeeping.

  • Animal enrichment.

  • Monitoring behavior and changes in animal health.

  • Diet preparation and feeding.

  • Help perform building upkeep, cleaning, and maintenance to ensure USDA and AZA Standards are always being met.

  • Complete a life history report on an assigned species from the Jungle collection.

  • Design an enrichment device and address construction needs, safety concerns, and implementation strategy for the assigned species.

  • Some departments offer limited direct animal experience. Interns in those departments will be able to observe animal care staff demonstrating proper animal handling/restraint techniques and operant conditioning training techniques when applicable.

  • Interns may not be permitted to work within 6 feet of all primates, otters, pygmy hippo, and bats, or while prepping their food, without wearing a KN95 mask in compliance with disease mitigation protocols.

  • Other duties may be assigned.

  • Must be at least 18 years old.

  • Must follow safety guidelines and always demonstrate safe working practices.

  • Must have effective time management skills for working in a fast-paced and flexible work environment.

  • Must possess strong communication skills; Clearly and effectively communicating with keeper staff about all aspects of the job including daily husbandry, safety questions or concerns, building operation, etc.

  • Must work well with others and have the ability to work independently.

  • Must be team-oriented and willing to work with other interns, volunteers, and staff members to further not only the goals of the Department but also of the Zoo's mission statement.

  • Must attend shifts on time and as scheduled.

  • Must have the ability to follow detailed instructions.

Offered candidates are required to pass a pre-employment background check and drug screening. A negative TB test may also be required depending on department.

EXPERIENCE: Previous experience working with animals at an AZA institution is preferred, but not required.

EDUCATION: Interns must be currently enrolled in, or have recently graduated from, a college or university. A minimum of one year of coursework in a major field of study to be applied during the internship (e.g. biology, zoology, animal behavior, etc.) is preferred. Knowledge of mammal natural history, biology, captive husbandry, and conservation issues preferred. Must be motivated to continue expanding knowledge base as it applies to mammals.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:Physical demands may vary based on department. Some may require considerable physical exertion - such as regularly climbing stairs and ladders, climbing over barriers (up to 4' high) to access exhibits, lifting heavy objects (up to 50 pounds), and/or assuming awkward positions. Some may also require working in hot and humid conditions. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider physical requirements before applying for an internship in this area. Interns that are not able to meet the physical requirements for the position may be reassigned to another department.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Potential for routine exposure to hot, humid conditions, loud, or outdoor conditions.

PUBLIC CONTACT: Interns will interact with the public throughout their internship and are expected to always exhibit professionalism and exceptional customer service. Interns may be asked to engage in public speaking opportunities, including but not limited to informal educational presentations for the public.

TO APPLY:

  • Prospective interns can only submit ONE application per person specific to their top their choice but may indicate up to two other areas that interest them on their application.

  • Must submit Cover Letter and Resume to Paycom at the time you apply. Applications without these materials will not be considered.

  • Your cover letter should include clearly defined career goals including how interning in the area you selected as your top choice will help you achieve your goals.

  • Interns must provide their availability at the time of their interview. Interviews may be conducted over the phone, in person, or over Zoom.

DISCLAIMER

We will do everything possible to accommodate school requirements for those seeking to earn class credit. We do our best to accommodate the schedules of interns with full or part-time job requirements.

Please note this position does not provide any medical coverage.

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.

How to Apply

Please visit www.omahazoo.com/workhere to view all available internships and apply in Paycom.

Omaha''s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

3701 S 10th St

Omaha, NE 68107

Visit our website

Like us on Facebook

Return to All Job Posts

Edit your job posting

General Settings

  • Title (limited to 100 characters)

  • Description

  • Add details about the job itself here.

  • Experience

  • Comments

  • Salary

  • Category Type

  • Internship Job

How should a candidate apply?

  • Example: the mailing address, email address, fax number or website the applicant should use to apply.

Job Perks

*

Company Info

  • Company Name

  • Address

  • City

  • State

  • Please Select Alberta Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas British Columbia California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Manitoba Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska New Brunswick Newfoundland Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Northwest Territories North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Nova Scotia Nunavut Ohio Oklahoma Ontario Oregon Pennsylvania Prince Edward Island Puerto Rico Quebec Rhode Island Saskatchewan South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Yukon

  • Zip

  • Company Phone

  • Company Fax

  • Company Website

  • Company Twitter Username

  • Company Facebook Page

  • About the Company

  • Company Logo/Avatar

  • Submitting your job posting...

About the Company

A

Association of Zoos and Aquariums