Animal Keeper - Primate Department (Multiple Positions)

About the Zoo

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden CELEBRATES the diversity of our plants & animals, staff, visitors, and community. We believe the Zoo should be a place where everyone can be themselves. We strive for the Zoo to be a place where differences are recognized, welcomed, and celebrated through our culture, processes, programs, and very presence in the community.

Join the Team

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is an equal opportunity employer and accepts employment applications and/or resumes for current open positions only.

Internships

• Food Service Associate
• Retail Associate

Qualifications

• Be 18 or over and interested in pursuing a career in the zoological or botanical field;
• hard-working, highly motivated, professional, and committed to following detailed instructions;
• positively approach team-based, collaborative working environments and engaging with visitors;
• comfortable working with and/or handling many different species encompassing all taxa of animals;
• full availability to work the entire intern session and days required.

Core Values

The ideal intern candidate will embrace and continuously demonstrate the Core Values of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

Physical Demands and Health Conditions

• Regular occurrences of standing for long periods of time, walking, climbing, balancing, and grasping tools or objects;
• Exposure to outdoor weather conditions (heat, humidity, rain, snow, cold temperatures);
• Must be able to lift & move 50 lbs without mechanical assistance;
• Must pass a pre-start drug & nicotine screen;
• Must provide a negative TB Test result before beginning internship;
• Must provide proof of current medical insurance & maintain insurance for the duration of the internship;
• If applicable to your department, COVID vaccination may be required.

Schedule

Internship is 14 weeks and typically follows a full-time workweek pattern: 4-5 consecutive days per week, ~8 hours per day, generally from 7-8 am to 3-4 pm. The Zoo is open 364 days a year, so your schedule may include weekend and holiday work.

Living Stipend

Interns receive a living stipend of $3,000 per full 14-week internship term to offset the cost-of-living expenses incurred while participating in the internship learning experience.

Application Process

• Qualified applicants can apply via our online application.
• Upload a separate cover letter per internship opportunity you are applying for.
• Provide the following documents and information with your application:
• Contact information for one professional reference
• PDF format required for cover letter and resume

Intern Objectives

• Provide support to Africa Department staff
• Enhance productivity and efficiency of the Africa Department team
• Allow qualified individuals the opportunity to gain professional experience as a keeper intern at a world-class zoological facility
• Provide an opportunity to gain a strong understanding of potential careers in animal husbandry, training, and conservation education

Animal Ambassador Team

• Work with a diverse collection of 125 individual animals encompassing 60 different species.
• Main focus is the daily husbandry and care for these animals, but there is also an opportunity for educating the visitors and offering encounters on grounds.
• Interns will have the opportunity to observe training sessions during their time with us and assist with programs.

Animal Excellence Research Intern

• Assist with the planning and execution of various animal behavior monitoring and welfare projects around the zoo.
• Work under th