$1,000.00 Monthly<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
PDZA & NW Trek, WA<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Intern<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Zoological and Environmental Education<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
01\/12\/2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
2\/1\/2026 11:59 PM Pacific<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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- Description<\/a><\/li>\n
- Benefits<\/a><\/li>\n
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Job Description<\/h2>\n<\/dt>\n
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\n![\"NORTHWEST](\"https:\/\/secure.neogov.com\/images\/AgencyImages\/jobposting\/3373\/jobpostings\/image\/NWTREK_LOGO_4C_GREEN_2025.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n* This 12 week internship session will begin April 2026 and conclude June 2026 *<\/strong><\/div>\n
NORTHWEST TREK WILDLIFE PARK<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>is dedicated to conservation, education and recreation by displaying, interpreting, and researching native Northwest wildlife and their natural habitats. The 725-acre zoological park was established in 1975 and attracts over 200,000 visitors annually. It is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), which ensures rigorously high standards of animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, education and more. Northwest Trek is operated by Metro Parks Tacoma, the oldest independent park district in Washington. For more information, visit\u00a0www.nwtrek.org<\/u><\/a>\n\n\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nOur Animal Care internship\u00a0is designed to provide instruction in the following areas: habitat maintenance, nutrition and diets, environmental enrichment, public presentation\/interpretation, water quality and filtration, species natural history, training, and husbandry.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nThis is a unique opportunity for interns to work alongside zookeepers and gain valuable on the job training.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/dd>\n
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Essential Duties<\/h2>\n<\/dt>\n
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\n\nUnder the guidance of experienced zoo, aquarium and wildlife park staff, interns will have the opportunity to gain experience in many areas of expertise, including, but not limited to:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nDaily Animal Husbandry:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Cleaning and general maintenance of exhibits and holding areas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nAnimal Observation and Record-<\/strong>keeping:\u00a0<\/strong>Nutrition and diets. Diet preparation. Appropriate vitamin supplementation. Environmental enrichment. Implementation and analysis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nAnimal Training:\u00a0<\/strong>The schedules of reinforcement, the types of operant conditioning, as well as the benefits of training,<\/div>\n\nWater Quality and Filtration:\u00a0<\/strong>Our filtration process, water quality parameters and monitoring.<\/p>\n
Public Presentation:\u00a0<\/strong>Messaging as well as post presentation Q & A. Learning the natural history of the animal species we care for, their behavior, and scientific names.<\/p>\n
Project Completion:\u00a0<\/strong>Interns will be expected to design, budget, build and use a small project. \u00a0<\/p>\n
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Minimum Qualifications<\/h2>\n<\/dt>\n
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\nWe are committed to finding the best overall candidate and welcome candidates who may come from less traditional backgrounds. Please consider the breadth of your life experience when interpreting our listed duties and qualifications:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent certification.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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Must have a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career towards the care and protection of wild life.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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Paid or volunteer experience working with animals. Examples may include, but are not limited to, zoological institutions, wildlife rehabilitation centers, veterinary clinics, laboratories, or other related facilities.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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This is an in-depth program requiring a 40 hour per week commitment, for a minimum of 12 weeks. Eligible candidates must be able to commit to 40 hours a week for 12 weeks.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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Valid driver\u2019s license and acceptable driving record<\/p>\n
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If selected for internship<\/strong>, a driving abstract will be requested at program start date<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/dd>\n
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Additional Information<\/h2>\n<\/dt>\n
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\n\nPhysical Demands: \u00a0Interns must be capable of the physical requirements required to work with animals, specifically:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Lifting and carrying heavy objects or animals weighing up to 50 pounds.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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Pushing, climbing, walking,\u00a0kneeling\u00a0and crouching to work with and feed animals.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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Dexterity of hands and fingers to\u00a0operate\u00a0specialized equipment and tools.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
\nHazards:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Exposure to potentially dangerous and sick animals.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Exposure to animal\u00a0bodily fluids\/products.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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Chemicals, fumes, odors, poor\u00a0ventilation\u00a0and noise.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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Contact with\u00a0dissatisfied\u00a0visitors.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
\nEnvironment:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Indoor and outdoor environment throughout the year<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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Adverse weather conditions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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Cold water\u00a0while interacting with animals and cleaning exhibits.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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Confined or dark work areas.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Internships are limited-term programs, interns are not\u00a0<\/strong>classified as employees of Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, the Northwest Trek Foundation or Parks Tacoma.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
![\"An](\"https:\/\/secure.neogov.com\/images\/AgencyImages\/jobposting\/3373\/jobpostings\/image\/NWTREKFoundation_LOGO_GREEN_2024.png\")
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\nStipends, generously provided by the\u00a0<\/em>Northwest Trek Foundation<\/em><\/a>, are considered taxable income and should be reported on your tax return.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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- Benefits<\/a><\/li>\n