Education Internship

Education Internship Program

The Dakota Zoo’s Education Internship Program allows interns to gain invaluable experience in crafting animal-based educational programming, handling ambassador animals for presentations, and much more! Internships are available for motivated individuals who are striving to gain experience in the zoo field and/or or college graduates seeking on-the-job experience. Internships provide practical experience in a zoological environment, provide some of the experience needed to be considered for positions working in zoological facilities, and may help the intern to decide on their final career choice. Internships offer a modest stipend upon successful completion. Housing is not provided.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of Dakota Zoo’s Education Coordinator, interns will be expected to interact with guests, handle ambassador animals, assist in youth camps, and assist in other day to day responsibilities that arise.

• Summer Camps

Dakota Zoo hosts several camps in the Summer for children ages 3-12. Interns will assist in planning and operation of these camps under the supervision of the Education Coordinator.

• Animal Handling

Interns must be comfortable handling ambassador animals for public presentations. Animals used for presentations include an armadillo, snakes, turtles, ferrets, and more. Interns will also aid in the supervision of teen volunteers during ambassador animal presentations.

• Interpretive Programs

Interns will participate in scheduled BioFact presentations and Ambassador Animal Presentations throughout the summer and must be willing to present to the public a variety of animals, with a conservation message being the backbone of the presentations.

• Lesson Planning

Interns will assist the Education Coordinator in planning camps. This includes coming up with a schedule and planning activities to be completed by campers.

• Interaction with the Public

Interns are expected to be a friendly and welcoming presence during working hours. This includes moments outside of scheduled presentations that can be used to educate the public and/or foster empathy for wildlife.

• Final Project

All interns are expected to work on a final project to be completed by the end of their internship. These projects will have the ultimate goal of improving the Dakota Zoo education program. Potential projects to be completed could include planning your own educational event, creating new interpretive signage to be posted around the zoo, etc.

Applicant Requirements

• College-aged or recent college graduate pursuing a degree in education, biology, zoology, fisheries and wildlife, or a related field. Must have completed 2 years of college and maintained a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Ability to work in extreme summer conditions and to lift at least 50 lbs.
• Must be able to tolerate hay, dust, animal hair and dander and, if allergic to a particular type of animal or other allergy, have medicines that allow them to function normally.
• Must have a current tetanus vaccination and be willing to have an annual TB screening. 
• Interns must be flexible with their schedule and have the ability to work weekdays, weekends and holidays.

The Dakota Zoo:

The Dakota Zoo is an AZA and ZAA accredited facility located in Bismarck, North Dakota. This 90-acre facility houses around 500 mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish representing 125 species. The Dakota Zoo participates in over 16 Species Survival Plan programs for endangered or threatened species and has served as a rehabilitation facility for injured and orphaned raptors for over 50 years. The Dakota Zoo is proud to be involved with numerous conservation initiatives both locally and globally.