Internship Opportunities

Zoo Boise often uses the services of degree seeking students to help with various programs throughout the year.  Interns will accompany and/or assist animal care or education staff with their duties in addition to completing a journal and/or a project. Project details are given below.

Wages: Interns receive no wage compensation (i.e. internships are on a volunteer basis). However, interns may be able to arrange a work study position through a college or university.

Times and Credits available: Internships are offered in Spring, Summer, and Fall college semesters. The hours per credit per semester are:

• 1 credit = 50 hours of service (4 hours per week for the entire semester)
• 2 credits = 100 hours of service (8 hours per week for the entire semester)
• 3 credits = 150 hours of service (12 hours per week for the entire semester)
• 4 credits = 200 hours of service (16 hours per week for the entire semester)

To receive credits that are arranged on a quarter system, interns must make special arrangements for credit/hours with the Education Director. Schedules can be somewhat flexible depending on the intern’s school and/or work schedule.

Project Assignment: Interns are also required to complete a project.  Project opportunities are listed under the intern positions below.

Working Conditions: Interns may be required work outside in all weather conditions.  Interns are also subjected to strong odors, dust, hay, and animal hair/fur/dander.

Evaluation: Interns will receive a written evaluation by their supervisor on their performance and project at the internship mid-term and end-term.  A copy will remain on file in the Education Department office.

Requirements and how to apply: Applicants must be at minimum of Junior college status in good standing (GPA of 2.5 - 4.0), in addition to meeting the requirements listed above for the Education and Animal Care internship positions.

To apply, send a letter of intent, résumé, professional letter of recommendation, and application to the address below. Application due dates are September 1 for Fall Semester, December 1 for Spring Semester, and May 1 for Summer Term.

Animal Care Intern

Animal Care interns assist zookeeping staff with exhibit maintenance (includes removing feces and dirty bedding from exhibits, cleaning exhibit glass, weeding, etc.), diet preparation and feeding of some animals, animal observations, and animal enrichment. Animal Care positions are available in the following sections:

Small Animal Kingdom: Tropical Rainforest (spider monkeys, chevrotains, sloth, python); Islands (Aldabra tortoise, hissing cockroaches, Komodo dragon, ring-tail lemurs); Deserts (meerkats, fennec fox, African porcupine, gila monster); prairie dogs. It is requested that Spring interns work through May; however, January through April is also acceptable.

• Level I - 50 hours (1 credit): Will work with a few select animals and their exhibits: prairie dogs, Aldabra tortoise, cockroaches, gecko, skink, kingsnake, kangaroo rat, and a few selct others.
• Level II - 100 hours (2 credits) or completion of Level I: Will work with the entire SAK animal collection (with a few exceptions).

Penguins/Primates: DeBrazza’s monkey, capuchin monkey, white-handed gibbon, hyacinth macaws, Magellanic penguins (may also assist in aviaries, raccoon & coati, and Amur leopard diet on certain days).

Small Carnivores: North American badger, swift fox, serval, ocelot, bobcats, Patagonian cavies.

Hoofstock: zebra, sika deer, llama, red panda, giraffe.

Note: Due to the danger involved, interns do not work inside the enclosures of large carnivores, large hoofstock, or primates; however, interns do assist with diet preparation and behavioral enrichment for these animals. Animal Care volunteers should be in good physical condition, be able to lift 50 lbs., and be willing to get dirty!

Project Options:

• Option 1 (50 hours, 1 credit): Keep a journal detailing the internship. Journals should include exhibit protocols, diet information, emergency and safety procedures, photos, enrichment projects, and the purpose and goals of modern zoos. Your journal should also include a section on one animal of your choice with more detailed information regarding the natural history and care of that animal.
• Option 2 (2 or more credits): Special Project in coordination with Zoo Staff in addition to journal.
  

Education Intern

Education interns assist with developing and conducting educational programs for zoo guests. The internship and intern project will vary depending intern availability and educational field of interest. Example education programs and areas of focus are given below. For more information, visit Zoo Boise’s website.

Critter College Camps (Winter Break, Spring Break, Summer): Half-day weekly camp programs.  Monday through Friday.  Ages 6 -12 and 4-5.

Family Programs

• Early Bird Zoo Adventure (continuous): Themed zoo tours & activities before zoo opening.  Saturday mornings.  Ages 6-12 and adults.
• Night Prowl (October, February): Night Program.  Friday & Saturday.  Ages 6 - 12 and adults.
• Story Safari (continuous): Animal story and activities.  Weekdays.  Ages 5-7 and adults.
• Pre-school Zoo (continuous): Weekdays.  Ages 3-4 & adults.
  

Zoo Tours & Education Stations (April - October): Tours of various zoology and ecology themes and stations of visitor interest with animal artifacts.  March - October.  All days.  All ages.

At-the-Zoo School Programs (September - May): Programs for visiting school groups.  Monday - Friday.  Grades K - College.

Zoo Explorer Backpacks (continuous): Backpacks with guide book and materials for self-guided tours.  All days.  Grades K - 6.

Zoo Discover Loan Trunks (continuous): Trunks with lesson plans and materials for use by classroom teachers.  All days.  Grades K-6.

Exhibit Displays (continuous): Themed displays for the Simplot Education Center and throughout the zoo.  All days.  All ages.

New Programs: Programs are continually evolving and changing.