How To Apply

Application

A student intern MUST be receiving academic credit from, or fulfilling an academic requirement for an accredited educational institution. In most instances, student interns are upper division majors or minors in the areas of biological science, horticulture, pre-veterinary medicine, education, conservation biology or related disciplines.

Internships are unpaid and are 10 to 14 weeks in length and 30 to 40 hours per week.

Applications MUST Include:

• Completed application form
• Cover Letter including a paragraph explaining why you are interested in an internship at the Minnesota Zoo;
• Resume;
• Transcripts; and,
• Letter of recommendation from an advisor or supervisor

Please note: Incomplete application packets will not be considered.

Application Deadlines:

All application materials must be received by the following deadlines unless otherwise noted in the internship descriptions.

Internship Period	Application Deadline
Spring Internship: (February - May)	DUE December 1st
Summer Internship: (May - September)	DUE March 15th
Fall Internship: (September - November)	DUE August 1st
Winter Internship: (November - January)	DUE October 1st

 

Behavior Management Internship

The Minnesota Zoo strives to maintain the highest standards of animal welfare/well-being, such that the biological, behavioral, and social needs of the individual animal are met. This is achieved, in part, through behavior management (animal enrichment and training). Behavior management aims to draw out animals’ natural behaviors and abilities with stimulating environments that provide the animals with behavioral choices and encourage them to explore and interact with their surroundings. Behavior management begins at exhibit planning and continues with the day-to-day animal care provided by keepers.

Year-round Internship Opportunities:

Approximately 32-40 hours/week for 10-14 weeks. Work schedule is somewhat flexible; Behavior Management Interns typically work 8-10 hours/day, 4-5 days per week.

Responsibilities for the Behavior Management Internship include conducting behavioral observations, recording and entering behavioral/enrichment data, working on enrichment initiatives, as well as interacting with Zoo guests and providing interpretive information throughout the Zoo.

Duties to include:

• Learn about enrichment and husbandry training in zoos & aquariums
• Research the natural history of the Zoo’s animals for behavior management goal planning
• Learn and practice methods of observation
• Conduct daily behavioral observations
• Develop and evaluate a new enrichment initiative and/or behavior study as an independent study project
• Assist the Enrichment Coordinator with enrichment documentation recordkeeping
• Assist the Enrichment Coordinator with enrichment and training meetings/workshops
• Make enrichment items for use in daily enrichment and special events
• Provide interpretation to Zoo guests about natural history and behavior management

For more information, please contact:
Internship Coordinator Jill Wallin, Human Resources
13000 Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley, MN 55124
E-mail: jill.wallin@state.mn.us
Phone: 952.431.9219
Toll-free: 800.366.7811 ext. 219
Fax: 952.431.9211
TTY: 800.627.3529
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