North Carolina Zoo Internship: Requirements and Opportunities
The North Carolina Zoo offers a variety of internships designed to provide students and recent graduates with invaluable real-world experience. These internships offer professional mentorship and the chance to contribute meaningfully to the Zoo's mission of protecting wildlife and wild places while inspiring conservation efforts. Whether your interests lie in animal care, animal welfare, zoo science, education, horticulture, communications, or general operations, the North Carolina Zoo's internship programs provide opportunities to explore career paths, develop essential skills, and make a real impact.
General Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for an internship at the North Carolina Zoo, applicants must meet specific criteria. It is essential to verify that you meet these requirements before applying.
Specifically, applicants must be one of the following:
- Rising undergraduate junior or senior.
- Current graduate student.
- Recent graduate (within the past year) from a post-secondary institution (undergraduate or graduate).
Applications from individuals outside of these categories will not be considered. High school students are not eligible for these internships, as they are designed for college and graduate-level students only.
Application Process and Timeline
To be considered for an internship, applicants must submit all required materials electronically via the official application link provided on each internship program page. Applicants can apply for a maximum of three internship programs for which they feel qualified, using only one application submission. The application form requires applicants to share their career goals, what they hope to gain from the internship, and the skills they will bring to the position. Contact information for two professional or academic references must be provided directly on the application form. Applicants will be asked to list up to five relevant college courses they have completed. If selected for an interview, a copy of the applicant's transcript will be required.
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The North Carolina Zoo Internship Program follows a specific timeline for applications, interviews, and acceptances, which varies by season:
| Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 | Fall 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Open | Sept. 8 - Nov. 16 | Jan. 1 - Mar. 1 | Apr. 1 - Jun. 1 |
| Interviews Conducted | Nov. 22 - Jan. 4 | Mar. 9 - Mar. 31 | Jun. 6 - Jun. 30 |
| Acceptance Window | Jan. 9 | Apr. 3 | July 6 |
| Internship Dates | Jan. 12 - May 20 | May 25 - Aug. 7 | Aug. 9 - Nov. 14 |
It is important to note that the internship dates reflect the overall window during which internships may take place. Specific timeframes can be found on the page for each individual internship program. If an applicant does not hear back by the listed acceptance date, they were unfortunately not selected.
Types of Internships Available
The North Carolina Zoo offers a diverse range of internships tailored to different interests and career goals. These internships provide hands-on experience and professional development opportunities in various departments.
Animal-Focused Internships
Zookeeper Internship
The Animal Section at the North Carolina Zoo offers Zookeeper Internships, providing hands-on experience in zoo animal care, welfare, and management. Interns work alongside keeper staff, learning fundamental husbandry techniques in an AZA-accredited facility and gaining insights into zoo operations and conservation initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Learn and perform various aspects of animal husbandry, including diet preparation, enrichment, operant conditioning, veterinary procedures, and record-keeping.
- Conduct animal behavior observations and assist with conservation initiatives.
- Participate in keeper presentations, tours, and educational messaging.
- Engage in professional development opportunities related to zoo operations and career planning.
Potential Assignments:
- Ambassadors: Working with tractable species, focusing on programming and messaging techniques.
- Avian Propagation: Caring for various bird species, including breeding and habitat management.
- Swamp or Streamside: Caring for North American reptiles and amphibians, plus select birds and mammals.
- Rocky Coast: Working with polar bears, puffins, Arctic foxes, and porcupines.
- African Hoofstock: Caring for zebra, ostrich, giraffe, or Watani grasslands species.
- Elephants: Working with a herd of African elephants.
- Northwoods: Caring for North American mammals such as wolves, bears, elk, and bison.
- Desert Dome: Working with a diverse collection of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds.
- Primates and Carnivores: Caring for great apes, monkeys, or large felids.
- Life Support/Aquatics: Working across multiple aquatic and terrestrial areas of the park.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship
The Valerie H. Schindler Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at the North Carolina Zoo offers Wildlife Rehabilitation Internships. This internship provides hands-on experience in caring for sick, injured, or orphaned native wildlife with the goal of returning them to the wild in optimal condition. The center emphasizes rehabilitation, research, and education, fostering compassion, civic responsibility, and environmental stewardship. This internship is part of the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council’s Practicum Accreditation Program, and interns will receive a certificate upon successful completion. Preference is given to candidates pursuing a career in animal care, such as wildlife rehabilitation, veterinary medicine, or zoo and aquarium sciences.
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Key Responsibilities:
- Assist with the daily care of wildlife patients and resident animals.
- Prepare diets and clean enclosures.
- Admit wildlife patients and maintain detailed records.
- Feed animals and provide supportive care.
- Assist with medical tasks under veterinary supervision, including treatments, radiographs, and surgeries.
- Participate in special projects, training, tours, animal rescues, and cage building/maintenance.
- Provide supervision and guidance to volunteers and unpaid interns.
Important Considerations: This position may not be suitable for individuals who are immune-suppressed and/or pregnant.
Animal Behavior and Welfare Internship
The North Carolina Zoo partners with universities such as North Carolina State University to offer the Animal Behavior and Welfare Internship program. Undergraduate students work with the Zoo’s research team on various animal behavior studies, spanning a wide range of species. Projects focus on questions related to enrichment, social behavior, space use, light cycles, and seasonal or habitat changes. Students may even stay on after their internship to complete their honor’s thesis at the Zoo. Master’s students from several universities also work closely with the Zoo’s scientists to design studies on visitor education, bird behavior, elephant diet and nutrition, and seabird color discrimination. Data collected are used by zookeepers and curators to inform management decisions and provide insight into the welfare of the animals.
Research Internship
The North Carolina Zoo Research Internship is available to junior and senior-level undergraduate students and graduate students of any level who are interested in animal behavior research. To be considered for this internship, you should have a minimum GPA of 3.25, completed relevant course work (e.g. statistics, animal behavior), and/or have some applied research experience. As an intern, you will gain hands-on experience collecting behavioral data, learn to manage and analyze their data, and receive training in public speaking and professional dissemination of scientific findings.
Horticulture Internship
The Horticulture Division at the North Carolina Zoo offers a Zoo Horticulture Internship. This internship provides hands-on experience in grounds maintenance and plant care within a zoological setting. The Horticulture Division works to create immersive, naturalistic habitats that support animal welfare, educate guests, and promote conservation. This Internship Opportunity is Not Available for Summer 2026.
Key Responsibilities:
- Receive and place plants in appropriate holding areas using proper potting, labeling, and transport techniques.
- Prepare sites by removing rocks, tilling soil, and adding soil amendments using hand tools.
- Install and water plants, utilizing proper cultivation practices.
- Remove damaged, diseased, or unsafe plant material to maintain a healthy plant collection.
- Assist with pruning to ensure guest safety, routine plant maintenance, and overall collection health.
- Identify and control invasive or toxic weeds using appropriate methods while ensuring guest and animal safety.
- Monitor and protect plant collections from guest interference or damage.
- Provide information to guests about horticulture and conservation efforts.
- Build constructive working relationships through cooperation, respect, and teamwork.
Volunteer Services Internship
The Volunteer Services Department at the North Carolina Zoo offers a Volunteer Services Internship. This internship provides hands-on experience in volunteer coordination, program management, and event planning. Interns develop professional skills in recruitment, engagement, training, and administration of volunteers and interns in a dynamic zoo environment.
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Key Responsibilities:
- Assist with the onboarding process for volunteers and interns, including application reviews and background checks.
- Support the planning and facilitation of volunteer training sessions, orientations, and engagement activities.
- Help manage volunteer and intern records in the Volgistics database, ensuring accurate documentation of hours and assignments.
- Participate in special event planning and on-site coordination, assisting with volunteer assignments and logistics.
- Engage with diverse groups, including volunteers, interns, staff, and guests.
Volunteer Coordinator Internship
The NC Zoo's Volunteer Coordinator manages nearly 300 intergenerational Volunteers with various backgrounds. In addition to supervising long-term Volunteers, the Volunteer Office is responsible for coordinating 10-20 group projects and events that consist of hundreds of one-time Volunteers, annually. This position offers experience in a progressive management style that allows interns to take on a great deal of responsibility and provides a supportive, stimulating and fun work place. Interns may provide leadership to Volunteers in the absence of the Volunteer Coordinator.
Requirements:
- Interns should excel in oral and written communications, and have strong customer service skills.
- The ability to work with people from age 12 - 99 is essential.
- Volunteers should be computer savvy and enjoy working independently.
General Requirements and Expectations
Several general requirements and expectations apply to all internship positions at the North Carolina Zoo.
Academic Credit
Students are responsible for arranging school credit if required by their institution. The internship experience must be an extension of the classroom, providing for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. If these criteria are followed, the experience can be considered a legitimate internship. Academic credit legitimizes an unpaid experience, ensuring that the experience fits the criteria of an internship. Faculty members are encouraged to support students by facilitating internships for academic credit when possible, particularly when an employer will not be providing compensation.
Time Commitments and Schedules
Internships involve specific time commitments, with varying durations and weekly hours depending on the program and season.
- Summer Internships: Typically run for 10 weeks, full-time (40 hours per week), totaling 400 hours.
- Fall and Spring Internships: Can be either 10 weeks (200 hours) or 12 weeks (360 hours), part-time.
Interns must be available to work a schedule that may include weekdays, weekends, and/or holidays. Specific hours and schedules are flexible and determined during the interview process. Some evening shifts and occasional weekends may be required.
Stipends and Housing
The availability of stipends and housing options varies depending on the internship program and season.
- Summer Internships: Offer a modest stipend of $1,500 to help offset basic living expenses. Interns can choose between free on-site housing (limited availability) or a $600 housing allowance for those who prefer to commute or arrange their own accommodations.
- Fall and Spring Internships: Stipends are generally unavailable. On-site housing may be available at a reduced fee for 10-week internships, while it may be provided at no fee for 12-week internships, both subject to limited availability.
Additional Requirements
- Reliable transportation is required, as the Zoo is in a rural area with no public transportation. A car is needed for basic needs such as groceries, appointments, and personal time on days off.
- Interns must adhere to the Zoo's Dress Code & Appearance Policy.
- Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable laws and policies.
- Interns are responsible for all expenses associated with the internship, including housing, transportation, and food.
- All applicants who require on-site housing must be 18 years old by January 1.
Skills and Qualifications
While specific skills and qualifications vary by internship, some general requirements apply:
- Effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to follow oral and written instructions and perform basic calculations.
- Capability of working in various weather conditions.
- Ability to perform physical tasks, such as lifting, bending, stooping, and standing for extended periods (specific weight limits may apply).
- Manual dexterity to safely handle tools and equipment.
- Computer literacy and a willingness to learn new software.
- Passion for community engagement and service (for Volunteer Services internships).
Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship Details
Wildlife rehabilitation is the care of injured or orphaned native wildlife with the sole purpose of returning animals back into the wild. To achieve this goal, wild animals must maintain or develop all the characteristics of their species, including the fear of people. Wildlife are not treated as pets and should not be named or cuddled. Wildlife is handled as little as possible and exposure to sights and sounds of humans is limited. Respect of these rules is most appreciated.
Primary Role: Interns provide routine daily care for injured and orphaned native wildlife, until they are ready for release back into the wild, as well as care for the Zoo’s education animals. The intern’s duties include preparation of diets, cleaning cages, admitting patients, feeding animals, answering phones, scheduling, and record keeping. Interns will also have the opportunity to assist with medical tasks such as administering medications, physical therapy, assisting with radiographs and surgeries, as well as, perform treatments as ordered by Veterinary staff. In addition, interns may have the opportunity to participate in special projects, research, tours, training, cage building and animal rescues, as well as participating in our education animal programming. Interns may provide leadership to Volunteers in the absence of the wildlife center director.
Time Commitments: Internships are a minimum of one semester or 12 weeks at 20-40 hours per week. Hours will be determined during the interview. Interns work a rotating schedule and may be required to work some evening shifts and weekends.
Requirements: Applicants should have strong communication skills and the ability to work with others. Interns must be able to lift a minimum of 15lbs., stand for periods of at least 30 minute intervals, be able to read and follow instructions, perform simple calculations and have dependable transportation.
Applicants: Preference will be given to candidates pursuing a career in animal care (i.e. Wildlife Rehabilitation, Pre-vet, veterinary technician, zoo and/or aquarium and animal science students, etc.).
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