Animal Care Behavioral Observation Internship 2026

Responsibilities

• Work alongside full-time keeper staff in learning basic animal behaviors and group dynamics
• Observe animals and report any behavioral changes
• Perform other duties as assigned

Learning Objectives

• Enrichment and Training
• Ethogram development
• Become familiar with AZA Animal Care and Welfare standards
• Developing an understanding of species’ natural history and functional behaviors

Requirements

• Student or recent graduate (2 years or less) in Zoology, Biology, Wildlife Management, Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine or related program
• 3.0 or above accumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale preferred
• TB test required
• Prior animal care experience preferred
• Experience with conducting ethograms on zoological animals is preferred, but not required
• Ability to balance multiple assignments successfully
• Proficient on Microsoft Excel
• Able to use tablet to input data using Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel programs
• Able to use Zoom for weekly meetings
• Strong computer skills, ability to work with pivot tables and excel spreadsheets
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must be neat in appearance and maintain courteous behavior at all times
• Ability to work in varied weather conditions (i.e. extreme heat, cold, rain, snow)
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends, evenings and holidays (July 4th, Memorial Day, Columbus Day)

Qualifications

• Ability to work in varied weather conditions (i.e. extreme heat, cold, rain, snow)
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends, evenings and holidays (July 4th, Memorial Day, Columbus Day)

Skills

• Microsoft Excel proficiency
• Tablet usage for data input
• Zoom meeting capability
• Computer skills, including pivot table usage
• Verbal and written communication skills

Benefits

• The RISE Scholarship, generously funded by Battelle, is available to eligible interns
• Applications for the RISE Scholarship are open from May 1- June 30, 2026

Pay

Minimum of 20 hours/week for 12 to 16 weeks

Schedule

Flexible schedule including weekends, evenings and holidays (July 4th, Memorial Day, Columbus Day)