2026 Spring Internship Animal Care

Chattanooga, TN - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 30+ days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

The Chattanooga Zoo Animal Care Internship program is a husbandry-based experience that will provide foundational knowledge and skill set needed to enter the animal care field. This experience-based opportunity gives interns hands-on skills assisting staff in the daily care of animals and exhibits record keeping and interacting with zoo guests. This is a paid internship position that offers college credit based on your college or institutions requirements and provides an opportunity for learning and experience in one of the following focus areas:

Area 1 & 6 - Giraffe Barn & Asia

Area 2 & 10 - Africa and Small Mammals

Area 3 & 5 - Reptiles and South American Amazonia

Area 4 & 7 - South America and Petting Zoo

Area 8 & 9 - North American & Ambassador Animals

Position Roles & Responsibilities

Performs outdoor tasks including daily husbandry routines diet preparation and distribution enrichment distribution and evaluation behavioral observations
Observe operant conditioning sessions with a multitude of species
Participates in public education spotlights
Maintain accurate records
Comply with all Chattanooga Zoo policies and procedures

For a complete list of roles and responsibilities please see Full Job Description below.

Minimum Qualifications and Program Requirements

Minimum 18 years of age
Currently enrolled in a college or university or have graduated within the past 12 months
Completed at least 30 college credits with a 2.5 GPA or above
Available to work 24 hours per week (360 total hours)
Available for 15 weeks starting either January 12 or January19 2026
Ability to read speak and write English in order to successfully complete essential job functions
Willing and able to work outdoors in all types of weather
Passion for working with animals and serious about learning
Successfully complete a background check drug screen and TB skin test
Submission of a completed application on ApplicantPro which includes all of the following:
- Transcript of college coursework confirming 30 or more college hours with a 2.5 GPA or above
- Resume and cover letter which includes your area of interest
- Reference letter of a NON-family member on official company or school letterhead with a date and a signature
SEE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS BELOW

Physical Requirements

Medium: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently. This position requires standing walking climbing bending stooping and lifting/holding a majority of the time.

Physical Environment:

This position requires constant movement across zoo grounds for the majority of the workday and is routinely exposed to external elements which include heat/cold wet/humid & dry/arid weather conditions.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Application and all documents must be submitted via ApplicantPro by July 26 2025

Submit a completed application which includes all of the following:
Upload resume AND cover letter which includes your area of interest
Upload transcript of college coursework confirming 30 or more college hours with a 2.5 GPA or above
Upload reference letter of a NON-family member on official company or school letterhead with a date and a signature. Reference letters which do not follow this requirement will NOT be accepted.

!!! Please submit ALL required documents in the RESUME SECTION - Submitted Documents

BEFORE you submit your application !!!

The Friends of the Zoo Inc (Chattanooga Zoo) is an Equal Opportunity compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act the Zoo will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

We are committed to an inclusive environment and value the diverse qualities perspectives and experience of all individuals.

Chattanooga Zoo has adopted a smoke-free campus to serve as a leader in promoting a healthy workplace and environment.

Chattanooga Zoo is a member of the Tennessee Drug-Free Workplace program. This position requires pre-employment screenings which will include: a background check drug screen & tuberculin skin test.

Required Experience:

Intern

The Chattanooga Zoo Animal Care Internship program is a husbandry-based experience that will provide foundational knowledge and skill set needed to enter the animal care field. This experience-based opportunity gives interns hands-on skills assisting staff in the daily care of animals and exhibits r...