Ambassador Animal Internship – Onsite

Animal Programs Department

Join the National Aviary’s Animal Programs team as an Ambassador Animal Intern. Gain valuable experience in animal care, training, guest engagement, and enrichment.  Our department cares for a variety of species including parrots, birds of prey, and other mixed species who participate in conservation education programs including free-flight shows, classes, outreaches, and up-close Animal Encounters.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Care for a variety of Animal Ambassadors
• Maintain habitats
• Prepare diets for various species
• Observe various bird behaviors
• Observe operant conditioning techniques
• Assist with free-flight bird shows
• Create animal enrichment
• Public speaking
• Observe diverse conservation educational experiences
• Participate in formal intern workshops

Education, Experience and Skills:

Animal Ambassador trainers and interns work in a very fast-paced environment. Due to the nature of the work, applicants must:

• Be able to lift 50 pounds
• Prepare diets that include mice and chick
• Work around allergens such as nuts, fish, and latex
• Work as a member of a team and independently
• Be a self-starter with a positive attitude
• Interact positively with the public

Additional Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Work a minimum of 3 days a week for fall and spring semesters and 5 days a week for the summer
• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays
• Must be willing to work 7:30 am – 4 pm

For students who are eligible for work study through their college: Speak with your financial aid or student advisor within your college or university to establish the National Aviary as an approved work study site.

To Apply:

Interested applicants should provide a cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation to Anna Turchick at [email protected].

Animal Collections Internship – Onsite

Animal Collections Department

This internship is catered towards individuals interested in pursuing a career in animal care. Interns work with our aviculturists to learn about husbandry, training, and education as the Animal Collections Department encompasses all of those areas.  Preference given to college students and recent graduates who are interested in the animal care and zoo fields.  This internship is very competitive, and an application does not guarantee an interview. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Daily husbandry – cleaning exhibits, diet feed out, etc.
• Food Prep – diet prep, cleaning dishes, etc.
• Daily Presentations – crowd control, assist aviculturists, lorikeet feedings

Education, Experience and Skills:

• Current college student or recent graduate – biology, zoology, psychology, or other animal care majors preferred
• Self-starter who can work as a team as well as independently
• Considering career in animal care field

Additional Requirements:  

• At least 18 years old
• Lift 50 lbs
• Comfortable working indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions
• Comfortable interacting with the public
• Work at least two days/week (Fall and Winter sessions) or four days/week (Summer session)

To Apply:

Interested applicants should provide a cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation to Bri Crane, [email protected].

Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted directly.

Education Programs Internship – Onsite

Education Department

The goal of this internship is to provide students valuable experience in the field of informal education. Our work incorporates practices from environmental, conservation, and informal science education. Interns considering a career in classroom-based, informal education, or public engagement in AZA organizations will gain valuable experience on engaging learners of all ages and backgrounds. The Education Programs intern will work under the direct supervision of the National Aviary’s Education Programs team, including the Curator of Education and the Program Specialist. This internship focuses on developing, facilitating, and evaluating a variety of conservation-based programs and experiences, including on-site programs for schools, families, and scouts, educational events, and community outreach.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Public speaking
• Conservation education
• Observing diverse educational experiences
• Participate in formal intern workshops
• Assist in development and preparation of educational programming
• Assist with delivery of onsite and outreach educational programs
• Assist in preparation and facilitation of educational events
• Plan and execute a conservation-based educational experience
• Support Animal Programs team through show ushering and AV support

Education, Experience and Skills:

Education programs staff and interns work in a very fast-paced environment. Due to the nature of the work, applicants must:

• Be enthusiastic about engaging with a wide variety of audiences in support of the National Aviary’s mission
• Interact positively with public audiences of all ages
• Work well in a team and independently
• Be a self-starter with a positive attitude

Additional Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Availability to work a minimum of three days a week is preferred
• Availability to work weekends is preferred

To Apply:

Interested applicants should provide a cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation to Katie Manion, [email protected].

National Aviary Marketing & Communications Internship – Hybrid

Marketing Department

This internship is geared towards students interested in a career in non-profit or cultural attraction marketing and communications. Interns will assist the National Aviary’s Marketing Department with event planning, developing marketing campaigns, digital media, and conducting research. This is a hybrid position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with the planning and execution of major marketing events, working with marketing and sales initiatives.
• Conduct research needed for various marketing projects.
• Implement marketing tactics related to publicity, advertising and promotions.
• Assist with the preparation and distribution of press releases, maintain press clip library and statistics.
• Creating social media content, including writing/photography/video birds, animals, special events, guest experiences, etc.
• Consistently update internal and external digital media archives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience and Skills:

• College Junior or Senior with a concentration in Marketing, Communications, Business, English, Journalism, or Public Relations
• Ability to think innovatively and creatively
• Ability to take initiative
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Detail oriented thinking
• Ability to work independently, quickly, and under pressure
• Marketing and/or Public Relations coursework a plus
• Video editing is a plus
• Ability to multi-task

Additional Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Proficiency in Microsoft office
• Past or current involvement in an any of the following areas: marketing, communications, event planning, customer/guest services
• Consistent internet access; this internship involves working remotely

Hours, Start Date, Duration

Flexible within business hours (8:00 am to 5:00 pm). A minimum commitment of 20 hours per week is required. The internship will start in the summer at a mutually agreed upon date and may continue into the academic year depending on mutual interests and satisfactory performance. This is an unpaid internship.

To Apply:

Interested applicants should provide a cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation to Britta Moletz, [email protected].

Veterinary Hospital Internship – Onsite

Veterinary Department

The Hospital Internship Program’s mission is to provide an immersive education experience by teaching students skills in avian medicine through patient care. The internship provides a unique opportunity to gain experience caring directly for a wide variety of patients, as well as the birds within our Special Care Program in the Teaching Hospital.  You’ll also observe and learn to assist the veterinary staff in procedures and administering daily treatments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Patient care for Special Care Program birds (cleaning, feeding, enrichment, monitoring)
• Observing and assisting veterinary staff with medical procedures
• Independently study cases, behavior, anatomy and protocols including pharmacy, treatments/procedures, lab and surgery with an established curriculum
• Medical rounds with veterinary staff

Education, Experience and Skills:

• Currently enrolled or graduated with degree in Pre-veterinary, Veterinary, Veterinary Technician, Zoology, Wildlife or similar programs.

• Strong interest in birds and avian medicine
• Strong work ethic
• Dedication & desire to learn
• Time management skills
• Communication/Teamwork
• Attention to detail

Additional Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be able to work both as a team and independently

 To Apply:

Interested applicants should provide a cover letter, resume, and 3 references to Jess Lindberg  [email protected].