We are proud to not just practice our mission of “We Share Our Joy of Nature to Help Wildlife and People Thrive,” but also mentor students through our internship programs. These opportunities are unpaid and do not include housing.
If you wish to be considered for an internship, please submit an online application and send a cover letter, resume, two letters of recommendation from professors and/or employers and a transcript (unofficial transcripts are accepted) to knichols@brevardzoo.org or the following address:
Kathleen Nichols
Director of Volunteer Programs
Brevard Zoo
8225 N. Wickham Rd.
Melbourne, FL 32940
Fax: 321.259.5966
Internship Offerings:
SPRING: January – April (Applications due November 1)
SUMMER: May – August (Applications due March 15)
FALL: September – December (applications due July 15)
Internships may start at any time but must fall during these windows.
Animal Department Internships
Interns accepted into this program will:
- Reflect our mission of “We Share Our Joy of Nature to Help Wildlife and People Thrive.”
- Gain hands-on animal husbandry experience in a zoological setting in Expedition Africa, Lands of Change: Australia and Beyond, Herps & Aquatics, Rainforest Revealed, Wild Florida or Ambassador Animals/Barnyard.
- Receive feedback from supervisors and work on projects to enhance their knowledge and fulfill college requirements.
The typical intern is expected to:
- Clean and maintain animal habitats.
- Assist keepers with preparing and delivering animal diets.
- Assist keepers with daily animal enrichment.
- Learn record-keeping protocols.
- Observe training of husbandry behaviors.
- Interact with guests.
Availability: Must be available for 24–40 hours a week. Please note that this internship is unpaid and housing is not provided.
Requirements:
- 18+ years of age
- Preferred candidates are enrolled in or have recently completed undergraduate studies in zoology, biology or a related field.
- Must have a reliable form of transportation.
- Must be able to lift and carry at least 50 lbs. and be comfortable working outside in all weather conditions and habitats.
Animal Registrar Internship
Brevard Zoo’s Animal Department is seeking a detail-oriented and organized individual to assist the Curator of Animal Data & Regulatory Affairs and the Animal Registrar in the daily data entry of animal husbandry and medical records into both internal and external databases. Interns may also participate in incoming animal quarantine procedures and may assist with the care of quarantine animals as necessary. This is a great opportunity to acquire hands-on experience in the institutional records keeping field while also getting a bit of zookeeping experience.
Responsibilities:
- Enter and modify animal records in institutional databases and ensure the accuracy and validity of data.
- File, organize and maintain the physical paper records of animals in the Zoo’s collection.
- Assist in the logistics and preparation of paperwork required for the acquisition and disposition of collection animals.
- Assist with public animal inquiries and providing resources.
- Assist with the daily care of animals in the quarantine section of the Zoo.
Availability: Interns must be available for 24-40 hours per week for a 3-month period. Please note that this internship is unpaid, and housing is not provided.
Qualifications:
- General knowledge of animal taxonomy, natural history and husbandry
- Attention to detail
- Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
- Preferred candidates have experience using Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) and/or Animal Care Software
- Excellent communication skills
Requirements:
- 18+ years of age
- Preferred candidates are enrolled in or have recently completed undergraduate studies in zoology, biology or a related field.
- Must have a reliable form of transportation.
- Must be able to lift and carry at least 50 lbs. and be comfortable working outside in all weather conditions and habitats.
How to Apply:
Email resume, cover letter and references to scarcano@brevardzoo.org.
Audience Research & Evaluation Internship
Interns accepted into this program will:
- Reflect our mission of “We Share Our Joy of Nature to Help Wildlife and People Thrive.”
- Gain hands-on experience in research and evaluation under the supervision of the Human Dimensions Research & Evaluation Curator.
- Learn about research methodology, research design and data analysis.
- Engage in human dimensions research and program evaluation working with all departments of the Zoo.
The typical intern is expected to:
- Assist in conducting evaluation and research related to guests, exhibits and programs at Brevard Zoo.
- Collect guest feedback through surveys, directed interviews, observation and tracking.
- Analyze data and create data reports.
- Gather related research literature through analysis of published academic articles.
- Construct written reports and evaluation findings.
Availability: Must be able to commit to a minimum of 16 hours per week. This internship can be completed onsite, remotely or in a hybrid format.
General Requirements:
- Basic computer skills
- Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written.
- Ability to professionally and responsibly interact with Zoo visitors and Zoo staff.
- Self-motivated and comfortable working independently.
- Well organized
Minimum Requirements:
- Preferred candidates are currently enrolled or recently graduated with an academic focus in psychology, education, animal studies or data science.
- Ideal candidates will have some previous coursework or experience with research methodology and/or statistical analysis.
- Sincere desire to engage in research and evaluation as it relates to the mission of Brevard Zoo and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.
Restore Our Shores Internships
Interns accepted into this program will:
- Reflect our mission of “We Share Our Joy of Nature to Help Wildlife and People Thrive.”
- Gain hands-on experience assisting with Indian River Lagoon habitat restoration programs.
- Receive feedback from supervisors and work on independent projects to enhance their knowledge and fulfill college requirements.
The typical intern is expected to:
- Interact with guests, volunteers and the public through conservation education and interpretation.
- Assist with oyster, clam, seagrass and native plant restoration projects including preparing materials, field deployment and monitoring.
Depending on intern goals/objectives, other duties may include assisting with one or more of the following:
- Mangrove and other native plant care and related outreach/field work.
- Oyster and clam gardening citizen science activities.
- Seagrass cultivation and aquatic nursery maintenance.
- Water quality monitoring.
- Restoration methodology investigation, including experimental design, data collection and analysis.
- Community presentations and promotion of the various projects and Brevard Zoo’s conservation messages.
Availability: Must be able to commit to a minimum of 16 hours per week for the entire session. Some nights and weekends will be required.
Requirements:
- Preferred candidates are enrolled in or have recently completed undergraduate or graduate studies in biology, conservation, aquaculture, environmental science, oceanography, sustainability, horticulture, environmental education, biology education, ocean engineering, civil engineering or a related field.
- Must have a reliable form of transportation. Interns will need to report to the Restore Our Shores office in Rockledge, FL or lagoon restoration sites throughout Brevard County, depending on schedule.
- Must be able to lift and carry at least 50 lbs. and be comfortable working outside in all weather conditions and habitats.
Lagoon Quest Internships
Program Information: The Lagoon Quest program is a joint program with Brevard County Public School where the Zoo conducts an environment education program onsite at the Indian River Lagoon to 4th grade students.
Description: Paid interns will assist education staff with teaching the students our Lagoon Quest Program. Enthusiasm for the outdoors, natural world, and knowledge of the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem required. Excellent communication and public speaking skills needed. The program in the Spring will run from March to mid-May and in the Fall mid-August through November, Monday to Friday from earliest start time 7 a.m. and latest end time 4 p.m. actual hours flexible based on group bookings.
Requirements: Applicants should be currently enrolled in college with at least one year completed or recent graduate with degree in education, science or related field; course work in marine biology optimal. The Education Department is willing to work with an individual’s school schedule. Minimum two days per week commitment required.
Application Deadlines: February 2 & July 20
How to Apply: Send complete Education Internship Application to
Brevard Zoo
8225 N. Wickham Road
Melbourne, Florida 32940
Attn: Education Manager