Unlocking Your Future in Animal Care: An In-Depth Look at Elmwood Park Zoo Internship Opportunities

For aspiring professionals eager to immerse themselves in the world of animal care and conservation, Elmwood Park Zoo presents a compelling array of internship opportunities. These programs are meticulously designed to provide valuable hands-on experience, foster a deep understanding of animal husbandry, and inspire a commitment to wildlife preservation. With three distinct internship tracks - Conservation Education (CE), Education Ambassador Care (AMB), and Zookeeping (ZK) - the zoo offers pathways for individuals at various stages of their academic and professional journey, from those just beginning to explore animal careers to those aiming for advanced roles in AZA-accredited facilities.

The Three Pillars of Elmwood Park Zoo Internships

Elmwood Park Zoo has structured its internship offerings to cater to a spectrum of interests and experience levels, ensuring that each program provides a unique yet equally enriching experience. The core of these offerings lies in hands-on animal care, a fundamental aspect that underpins the zoo’s mission to connect people with wildlife.

Conservation Education (CE) Internship: A Gateway to Conservation Careers

The Conservation Education (CE) internship serves as an ideal entry point for individuals exploring careers in animal-related fields, particularly those with a passion for conservation education. This program offers an introduction to the conservation career world and provides foundational exotic animal care experience. Interns in this track work directly with the zoo’s barnyard animals, including Goats, Miniature Highland Cows, and Chickens, under the direct supervision of keeper staff. This immersive experience allows them to gain practical skills in daily animal husbandry.

Beyond direct animal care, CE interns play a crucial role in public engagement. They spend their shifts inspiring guests about conservation by directly interacting with visitors at various exhibits and participating in Elmwood Park Zoo’s Interactive Animal Experiences. These experiences include facilitating Daily Giraffe Feedings, Bison feedings, managing the Barn Contact Yard, and guiding guests through the “Harmony Hideaway” walk-through exhibit. This dual focus on animal care and guest interaction equips CE interns with a comprehensive understanding of how zoos contribute to conservation awareness and education.

Education Ambassador Care (AMB) Internship: Advanced Handling and Conservation Education

For individuals who already possess some level of previous animal care experience and are seeking to deepen their expertise, the Education Ambassador Care (AMB) internship offers a more advanced curriculum. This program is tailored for those who desire more sophisticated animal handling, care, and conservation education experience. AMB interns work in close collaboration with the zoo’s dedicated education keeper staff, providing care for the Zoo’s Ambassador Animal Collection. This diverse collection includes a variety of domestic pets such as rabbits and ferrets, alongside a fascinating array of reptiles and other small mammals, such as snakes, skinks, hedgehogs, a tenrec, a tegu, a tarantula, a skunk, and an armadillo.

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The AMB internship emphasizes the development of strong animal handling skills and the ability to communicate effectively about conservation. Interns learn to manage the specific needs of these ambassador animals, which often serve as key components in educational programming. This role is vital for fostering public understanding and appreciation for a wide range of species, many of which may not be as commonly known as larger zoo inhabitants.

Zookeeping (ZK) Internship: Aspiring to Professional Zookeeping

The Zookeeping (ZK) internship is specifically designed for individuals who are serious about pursuing a career as a zookeeper in an AZA-accredited facility and who possess prior exotic animal care experience. This program offers a comprehensive and intensive experience, immersing interns in the day-to-day operations of exhibit animal care. ZK interns work hand-in-hand with the zoo’s exhibit animal keeper team, contributing to the care of a vast array of animals within the zoo's collection. This includes everything from the smallest Poison Dart Frogs to majestic Bald Eagles, and from agile Golden Lion Tamarins to large ungulates like the Giraffe and Bison.

The ZK internship provides exposure to every facet of a zookeeper's responsibilities. Interns participate actively in cleaning and maintenance of animal enclosures, the meticulous preparation of specialized diets, the development and implementation of enrichment activities designed to promote natural behaviors, and the opportunity to observe or assist in animal training sessions. This holistic approach ensures that ZK interns gain a robust understanding of the dedication, knowledge, and practical skills required to excel in professional zookeeping.

Commitment and Practicalities: Navigating Internship Schedules and Requirements

Elmwood Park Zoo emphasizes a strong commitment from its interns, recognizing that meaningful experience is gained through consistent dedication. The time commitment varies depending on the specific internship and the session.

For year-round CE applicants, a minimum of one 10-hour shift per week is required, though completing two or more shifts is strongly encouraged to maximize learning opportunities. In the Fall and Spring sessions, both AMB and ZK interns are expected to complete a minimum of two full-day shifts per week. During the Summer session, this requirement increases to three full-day shifts per week for AMB and ZK interns.

The operational hours for internships are structured to provide ample coverage throughout the week, with shift openings available seven days a week. AMB internship hours typically run from 8 AM to 5 PM, while ZK hours are from 7 AM to 6 PM, reflecting the differing needs of animal care routines. It is crucial for applicants to understand that shifts must be scheduled for regularly occurring days of the week (e.g., all Tuesdays and Thursdays for a given session) and that these hours are not flexible. Furthermore, during the Fall and Spring sessions, applicants cannot commit to shifts on both Saturday and Sunday, ensuring a balance of availability across the week.

Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions

A significant aspect of all Elmwood Park Zoo internships involves working outdoors for at least some portion of each shift, often in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures. The zoo is upfront about the physically demanding nature of these roles. Interns must be prepared for long shifts spent on their feet and must possess the ability to lift at least 50 pounds. These requirements are not merely guidelines but essential qualifications for successfully carrying out the duties associated with animal care and public engagement in a zoo environment. Applicants are asked to share any reasons they might not be able to meet these physical demands, ensuring that both the intern and the zoo can make informed decisions.

Compensation and Academic Credit

It is important to note that Elmwood Park Zoo internships are generally unpaid and do not offer stipends. However, the zoo understands the value of these experiences for academic purposes. Interns have the opportunity to work with staff to arrange for class credit, making these positions a viable option for students seeking to fulfill academic requirements while gaining invaluable practical experience.

Applying for an Elmwood Park Zoo Internship: Maximizing Your Chances

Elmwood Park Zoo encourages a proactive approach to the application process. Applicants are advised that applying to multiple intern programs can increase their chances of acceptance, as it demonstrates a broad interest and willingness to contribute to various aspects of the zoo's operations. During the application, candidates are prompted to indicate all days of the week for which they are available, even if they are only able to commit to the minimum required shifts. This information helps the zoo in scheduling and resource allocation.

The application process itself involves a commitment to understanding and adhering to the zoo's policies and procedures. Submitting an application form does not guarantee an internship placement. Candidates must meet certain qualifications, which may include passing an interview and successfully completing an orientation program. This ensures that all accepted interns are well-prepared and aligned with the zoo's operational standards and internship expectations. Applications are typically kept on file for 12 months, allowing candidates to be considered for future openings.

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Beyond the Core Internships: Additional Opportunities

While the CE, AMB, and ZK internships form the primary offerings, Elmwood Park Zoo also provides other avenues for engagement, particularly within its education department. These can include roles such as Camp Counselors and Seasonal Educators.

Summer Camp Roles

The zoo's summer camp program offers seasonal positions that are crucial for its operation. These roles include Camp Counselor (Full-Time or Part-Time), Support Counselor (Full-Time), and Lead Summer Camp Counselor (Full-Time). These positions involve direct supervision of summer campers, managing group activities, and assisting in the overall functioning of the zoo camp. While distinct from the animal care internships, these roles offer valuable experience in youth education, program coordination, and public interaction within a zoo setting.

Guest Engagement and Programming Internship

A specialized internship, the Guest Engagement and Programming Internship, is designed to cultivate essential communication and organization skills. This role provides structured experience working directly with the public, focusing on the development, planning, and coordination of unique programs that advance the zoo's mission. Interns in this position utilize a "feet-on-the-ground" approach, observing exemplary guest interaction and working alongside the Guest Services Department. They also assist in coordinating private bookings, such as group trips and birthday parties. This internship is particularly suited for current college students or recent graduates with backgrounds in hospitality, event planning, or customer service.

Zookeeping: Exhibit Collection vs. Education Collection

Further delineating the zookeeping experience, Elmwood Park Zoo also offers specific internships focused on either the Exhibit Collection or the Education Ambassador Collection. The "Zookeeping: Exhibit Collection Internship" is geared towards individuals interested in a career as a zookeeper and provides hands-on experience with a broad spectrum of exhibit animals, including giraffes, zebras, bison, elk, goats, cows, and birds of prey. Conversely, the "Zookeeping: Education Collection Internship" focuses on the animals within the Education Ambassador Collection, such as porcupines, rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas, turtles, lizards, and snakes. This distinction allows interns to tailor their zookeeping experience to specific areas of interest within the broader field.

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