$2,500.00 Monthly<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 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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Job Description<\/h2>\n<\/dt>\n
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* This 12-week internship session will begin April and conclude June 2026 in the Rocky Shores<\/strong>\u2013Arctic Tundra area *<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nPOINT DEFIANCE ZOO & AQUARIUM\u00a0<\/strong>is the only combined zoo and aquarium in the Pacific Northwest. The 29-acre zoological park was established in 1905, and attracts over 800,000 visitors a year. 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. The Zoo sits within 700-acre Point Defiance Park, offering spectacular views of Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. Point Defiance Zoo is operated by Parks Tacoma.\u00a0For more information, visit www.pdza.org<\/a><\/p>\n
Our Animal Care internship<\/strong> is 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nThis Internship will take place in the Rocky Shores-Arctic Tundra<\/strong> area, and 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 Staff Biologists,\u00a0<\/span>interns will have the opportunity to gain experience in many areas of expertise, including, but not limited to:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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- Daily Animal Care:\u00a0<\/strong>Cleaning and general maintenance of exhibits and holding areas<\/li>\n
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Animal Observation and Record-<\/strong>keeping:\u00a0<\/strong>Nutrition and diets. Diet preparation. Appropriate vitamin supplementation. Environmental enrichment. Implementation and analysis.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- Animal Training:<\/strong> Understanding and practicing the principles of animal training (reinforcement, operant conditioning, benefits of training).\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Water Quality and Filtration:\u00a0<\/strong>Monitor the water quality parameters of the filtration systems in the habitats.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Public Presentation:\u00a0<\/strong>Sharing to guests the stories and natural history of the animals in our care. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/li>\n
- Project Completion:<\/strong> Interns will be expected to design, budget and implement a small project.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/dd>\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<\/em>, zoological institutions, wildlife rehabilitation centers, veterinary clinics, laboratories, or other related facilities.<\/p>\n<\/li>\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<\/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, with stipend payments generously provided by The Zoo Society.<\/a><\/div>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/secure.neogov.com\/images\/AgencyImages\/jobposting\/3373\/jobpostings\/image\/zs-logo-2025_reversed-rectangle-slate-gold-white.png\")
\nStipends are considered taxable income and should be reported to the IRS on your tax return.<\/div>\nInterns are not\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>classified as employees of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, The Zoo Society or Parks Tacoma.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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- Benefits<\/a><\/li>\n