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We are proud to offer hands-on experiences that prepare interns for a career in conservation, animal wellbeing and education in a zoological and aquarium setting. Our internship program is designed for college students and recent college graduates. Ideal candidates reflect our mission of “We Share Our Joy of Nature to Help Wildlife and People Thrive.”

Applicants are responsible for arranging and covering any lodging or transportation needs independently. Unpaid and paid internships are available depending on the opportunities below.

If you wish to be considered for any internship that is not the STEM internship, please submit this 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.

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.

For STEM internship, please see instructions and deadlines at the bottom of the page. 

Animal Department Internships

Interns accepted into this program will:

• Gain hands-on animal husbandry experience in a zoological and receive feedback from supervisors and work alongside Zoo professionals.
• Propose, research, and complete a science-based project.

Intern responsibilities:

• Clean and maintain animal habitats.
• Assist keepers with preparing and delivering animal diets and daily animal enrichment.
• Learn record-keeping protocols.
• Observe training behaviors.
• Interact with guests.

Availability: Must be available for 24⁠–⁠40 hours a week. Please note that this internship is unpaid.

Requirements:

• 18+ years of age
• Candidates must be enrolled in or have recently completed undergraduate studies in zoology, biology or a related field.
• 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

Interns accepted into this program will 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.

Intern 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.

Qualifications:

• 18+ years of age
• Candidates must be enrolled in or have recently completed undergraduate studies in zoology, biology or a related field.
• General knowledge of animal taxonomy, natural history and husbandry.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook with close attention to detail.
• Must be able to lift and carry at least 50 lbs. and be comfortable working outside in all weather conditions and habitats.
• Preferred candidates have experience using Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) and/or Animal Care Software.

Audience Research & Evaluation Internship

Interns accepted into this program will 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.

Responsibilities:

• Engage in human dimensions research and program evaluation working with all departments of the Zoo.
• 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.

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:

• 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.

Responsibilities:

• 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.

Conservation Internships

Interns accepted into this program will:

• Gain hands-on experience assisting with habitat restoration focusing primarily on native pollinators and their habitats.
• Receive feedback from supervisors and work on independent projects to enhance their knowledge and fulfill college requirements..

Responsibilities:

• Interact with guests, volunteers and the public through conservation education and interpretation.
• Survey pollinator species, native garden design and monitoring on zoo property. May also assist with ongoing restoration projects of the Indian River Lagoon.

Depending on intern goals/objectives, other duties may include assisting with one or more of the following:

• Invertebrate identification, surveys and reporting.
• Informal educational engagement with zoo visitors.
• Native plant cultivation, care and various plant nursery maintenance.
• 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, botany, horticulture, environmental science, entomology, oceanography, aquaculture, sustainability, environmental education, biology education or a related field.
• Must have a reliable form of transportation.
• Interns will need to report to Brevard Zoo or Restore Our Shores office in Melbourne, 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.

STEM Internships – Paid

Responsibilities:

• Assist education staff with teaching the students during Lagoon Quest, Be Outside with Brevard Zoo and at school programming. These programs are joint programs with Brevard County Public Schools. Lagoon Quest Zoo staff conducts an environmental education program at a local park along the Indian River Lagoon to 4th grade students. Be Outside with Brevard Zoo is a combination of experiences including hikes at local parks, lagoon experiences at local parks and wetlands kayaking at the Zoo for middle and high school students. STEM programs at the schools focus on conservation projects for high school students.

Availability: The program in the Spring will run from mid-February to mid-May and in the Fall mid-August through beginning of December, Monday to Friday from earliest start time 7 AM and latest end time 5 PM. Actual hours flexible based on group bookings. The Education Department is willing to work with an individual’s school schedule. Minimum two days per week commitment required.

Requirements:

• Enthusiasm for the outdoors and natural world.
• Knowledge of the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem.
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills needed.
• 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.

Application Deadlines: January 18 & July 18

How to Apply: Send complete Education Internship Application to

Brevard Zoo
8225 N. Wickham Road
Melbourne, Florida 32940
Attn: Conservation Learning Manager

Or via email to Dee Maynard
dmaynard@brevardzoo.org