Cincinnati Zoo Internship Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden offers a variety of internship opportunities for individuals seeking early career experience in a specific department. These internships provide a unique chance to work alongside Zoo staff, develop professional contacts, and gain hands-on experience in a world-class zoological facility. The Zoo celebrates diversity among its plants, animals, staff, visitors, and the community, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Internship Program Overview

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Intern Program is designed to provide participants with invaluable early career experience across various departments. These internships typically span 14 weeks, following a full-time workweek pattern of 4-5 consecutive days per week, approximately 8 hours per day, generally from 7-8 am to 3-4 pm. Given that the Zoo operates 364 days a year, interns should anticipate a schedule that may include weekend and holiday work.

A full commitment to the entire 14-week internship session is expected from all interns, with minimal to no additional vacation time beyond regular days off. Mandatory orientation sessions are scheduled at the beginning of each internship session, and attendance is required. The Zoo staff is deeply committed to intern development, and as such, a similar level of commitment is expected from all selected interns.

To help offset living expenses incurred during the internship, a living stipend of $3,000 is provided for each full 14-week term. However, stipend compensation may be adjusted if the expected hours/days within the session are not completed.

Application Process

To apply for an internship, qualified applicants can submit their application via the online portal. Applicants are welcome to apply for multiple internship opportunities per session during the application period.

Internship Opportunities by Department

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden offers a wide array of internship opportunities across various departments, catering to diverse interests and skill sets. Here's a glimpse into some of the available internships:

Africa Department Internship

Africa department interns work under the supervision of animal care staff. Their primary role involves maintaining the cleanliness of animal areas, contributing to the overall welfare of the animals. This includes tasks such as raking, shoveling, moving heavy wheelbarrows, lifting hay bales, and hosing and scrubbing habitats and behind-the-scenes holding areas. Interns also assist in preparing daily food diets, which involves cutting and weighing produce and meat, and maintaining keeper spaces.

Animal Ambassador Team Internship

The Animal Ambassador Team internship focuses on the daily husbandry and care of the Zoo's diverse collection of animal ambassadors, encompassing approximately 125 individual animals across 60 different species, including reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, and invertebrates. Interns have the opportunity to educate visitors and offer animal encounters on the grounds. They may also observe training sessions and assist with programs. Species interns may encounter include tamanduas, six-banded armadillos, prehensile-tailed porcupines, tawny frogmouths, and various snakes. This internship is known for its fast-paced environment.

Animal Excellence Research Internship

This professional internship supports the Animal Excellence Scientist in promoting an evidence-based approach to animal care and management. The intern assists with the planning and execution of animal behavior monitoring and welfare projects. Responsibilities include gathering scientific literature, designing studies, collecting data, and preparing reports. The internship requires attention to detail, critical thinking, organizational skills, and effective communication.

Eligibility: Current college juniors or seniors working toward an animal-related field (Biology, Zoology, Psychology, etc.) or recent graduates with a related degree are encouraged to apply.

Read also: Affording CCM: A Tuition Breakdown

Animal Nutrition Internship

Working alongside the Curator of Nutrition, the intern participates in diet evaluations, animal body condition assessments, and product recommendations. They collaborate closely with animal management, keepers, researchers, and veterinary staff. The intern gains exposure to the development and supervision of a local browse program and manages the commissary budget. Responsibilities include tracking, organizing, and creating diet records, as well as conducting research on food nutrient analysis and quality control. This role involves no direct animal contact.

Cat Ambassador Program Internship

This internship provides an opportunity to learn the inner workings of a show department and work with animal trainers in one of the oldest cheetah running programs in the country. The ideal candidate has a passion for learning and conservation education, along with strong customer service skills.

Commissary Internship

The Commissary internship offers work experience within a comprehensive nutrition program, encompassing animal food production and animal nutrition research components. Interns do not have direct animal contact. The Commissary is responsible for all aspects of animal dietary needs, including food and supply ordering, receiving, preparation, and delivery.

Education Department Internship

Education Department interns develop skills and talents for careers in informal or environmental education. They begin by providing operational and logistical support for the summer camp program.

Elephant Department Internship

This 14-week internship provides qualified individuals with professional experience in the daily care of Asian elephants at a world-class zoological facility.

Global Conservation Impact Team Internship

The Global Conservation Impact Team internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in conservation storytelling or research, working alongside conservation professionals and partners worldwide. The intern will contribute to conservation initiatives and expand their professional network.

Horticulture Internships

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden offers several horticulture-related internships:

Native Plant Program Internship

Interns gain first-hand experience in maintaining and expanding the Zoo’s Native Plant Program, working at the Bowyer Farm wetland restoration site. They help grow native federally endangered species and work on propagation through divisions, cuttings, and seed collecting and germinating. Work may also occur in the CREW lab, depending on the project.

Plant Recordkeeping Internship

This internship focuses on plant recordkeeping using IrisBG plant collections management software. The intern learns about the diverse plant collection, enters taxa information into the database, corrects information, manages accessions, and produces plant labels. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Publisher is beneficial.

Plant Trials Internship

The Plant Trials internship offers a unique opportunity to participate in one of the region’s most expansive plant trialing programs. The intern evaluates new cultivars of plants in landscape settings and reports performance findings to breeders. Responsibilities include data entry and analysis, labeling photos, creating PowerPoint documents, and assisting with plant care and seasonal events.

World of the Insect Internship

The World of the Insect internship involves assisting keepers in the daily husbandry and maintenance of over 60 invertebrate species. The intern will work with the American Burying Beetle local conservation program, various SWARM species, the butterfly aviary, and aquatic invertebrates.

North American Animals Internship

This 14-week internship provides professional experience in the daily care of North American black bears, Southern sea otters, North American river otters, Florida manatees, Mexican gray wolves, raptors, a striped skunk, several species of gar, and two species of turtles.

Wings of Wonder Internship

Interns at the Wings of Wonder will learn husbandry and animal training in a fast-paced environment. They may participate in the Bird Experience, which occurs twice daily, five days a week during the summer.

Veterinary Technician Internship

This internship is a 4-8-week externship experience for students enrolled in an AMVA-accredited veterinary program. These are often scheduled 1-2 years in advance.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden also offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for individuals passionate about nature, animals, and conservation.

ZooTeen Program

The ZooTeen program is designed for teenagers who want to build knowledge, gain hands-on experience, and connect with others. ZooTeens develop leadership and professional skills while participating in education programs, engaging with Zoo visitors, collecting community science data, and getting involved in the community.

Animal Enrichment Volunteer

Animal Enrichment volunteers create items that stimulate animals’ natural behaviors. They research, design, and build enrichment toys and devices for the Zoo’s animal community.

Animal Excellence Zoo Monitor Team

This team focuses on observing animals, collecting data, and contributing to the mission of the Animal Excellence program, which promotes scientific evidence-based care and welfare.

Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) Volunteer

CREW volunteers support the organization's mission of Saving Species with Science through various roles:

CREW Ambassador: Bridges the science and conservation efforts taken by CREW and presents them in a way that engages and inspires Zoo guests.
Cat Colony Volunteer: Cares for domestic cats in a fast-paced, physical environment.
Endocrine Lab Volunteer: Prepares fecal samples for research.
Plant Lab Volunteer: Prepares sterile media for plant tissue propagation and maintains plants in the greenhouse.
Support Services Volunteer: Staffs the front desk at CREW, greets visitors, and keeps the information table stocked.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

ADOPT Program Support Volunteer: Assists the Development team with donor engagement.
Field Trip Arrival Guide: Welcomes school groups and provides helpful information.
Summer Camp Aide: Supports the Zoo’s Education Team by assisting in camp classrooms.
Horticulture Volunteer: Maintains gardens, plants, weeds, and assists with nursery tasks.
Garden Engagement Volunteer: Engages visitors with plants and encourages conservation actions.
Bowyer Farm Volunteer: Works on wetland restoration projects.
Hydroponics Team Volunteer: Assists with indoor, sustainable farming.
Visitor Experience Volunteer: Engages with visitors at various stations throughout the Zoo.

General Requirements and Expectations

Commitment: Interns are expected to commit to the full internship session with minimal vacation time.
Attendance: Attendance at a mandatory orientation session is required.
Physical Requirements: Some internships and volunteer positions may require the ability to stand, walk, climb, balance, grasp objects, and lift up to 30 lbs. Exposure to outside weather conditions may also be expected.
Academic Credit: Students may be able to receive academic credit for internships through their college or university.

Important Application Note

To avoid being logged out of the application system, it is recommended to draft answers in a separate document before copying and pasting them into the application form.

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