The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Intern Program provides participants with early career experience in a specific department. Interns gain valuable skills through hands-on training with staff, attending lectures and continuing education courses presented by staff from various departments, and networking opportunities to develop professional contacts throughout the Zoo community.
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal intern candidate will meet the following requirements:
- 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; and
- full availability to work the entire intern session and days required.
Successful candidates will embrace and continuously demonstrate the Core Values of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Internships available in the following departments:
Africa
Animal Ambassador
Animal Excellence
Animal Nutrition
Aviculture
Cat Ambassador
Commissary
Education
Elephant
Horticulture
- Garden Engagement
- Plant Records
- Plant Trials
Invertebrates
Jungle Trails
Primate Center
Wings of Wonder
Fall Internship Session: mid-September through mid-December.
- Applications are accepted from May 1, 2026 – June 15, 2026
- Decisions: No later than July 15, 2026
- Mandatory Orientation September 14, 2026
- End of Internship: December 20, 2026
- Exact start and end dates are noted in each department’s internship description.
To apply and read more about our individual Internship opportunities this Fall – Please check out our Internship Opportunities here: Job Opportunities | Cincinnati Zoo
