OKC Zoo Intern - Herpetology

Launch your career in animal care with the Oklahoma City Zoo! Our Herpetology Internship offers hands-on experience working with a diverse collection of reptiles and amphibians. Interns will collaborate with our Herpetology Team to support animal wellbeing through habitat maintenance, enrichment, operant conditioning training, and wellbeing monitoring. Additionally, interns will engage with the public to enhance guest experiences while gaining practical skills in animal care at an AZA-accredited facility. Ideal for those passionate about herpetology and eager to pursue a career in zoo and aquarium animal care.

Employment Status: Part Time Temporary 

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 

Duration: 12 weeks

Schedule: 40 Hours per Week 

Compensation: $14 per Hour

Department: Animal Management – Herpetology 

Direct Supervisor: Assistant Curator of Herpetology and/or Curator of Herpetology

Primary Work Location: Zoo setting both indoors and outdoors 

Certification: Valid Oklahoma driver’s license pass drivers history test. Completion of assigned OKC Zoo HSI training in the first two weeks of employment 

Other: This position is safety sensitive. It is subject to pre-employment and/or periodic background checks and drug testing. 

Internship Summary: This internship is designed to be an entry point for someone who is seeking a career working with animals. Interns will receive hands-on training to aid in the development of knowledge, skills and abilities typically required of entry-level Animal Caretakers in zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) by working alongside Herpetology Team staff to support the wellbeing and care of the Zoo’s herpetology collection and their environments through habitat maintenance, enrichment, operant conditioning training and wellbeing monitoring.  This position will interact with the public to support operations and guest experiences and to perform a variety of skilled/semi-skilled work required for the care and safety of animals, staff and the public.

Development Outcomes 

An intern in this position will complete assigned tasks resulting in the following learning outcomes

• Intern will develop an understanding of Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden Policies and Herpetology Area Policies and Procedures.
• Intern will be familiar with commonly accessed areas within the herpetology area.
• Intern will develop an understanding of internship objectives and expectations.
• Intern will work in a manner that supports and protects the health of the assigned collection including wearing assigned PPE and limiting exposure to known contagions.
• Intern will participate in the preparation of taxa specific diets.
• Intern will develop an understanding of the natural behaviors and life histories of assigned taxa by researching species, completing observations and discussing behavior(s) with herpetology staff.
• Intern will develop an understanding of the responsibilities of an Animal Caretaker-Herpetology staff member 
• Intern will develop an understanding of the essential role that zoos and aquariums play in conservation 
• Intern will learn the basics of guest interaction in a zoo or aquarium setting including how to convey educational information and effectively communicate conservation efforts 
• Intern will learn how to prepare and maintain animal records and reports through commonly used computer programs.
• Intern will safely and effectively operate motor vehicles. 
• Intern will actively participate in daily animal husbandry techniques and assessments related to: animal care, animal wellbeing, behavior observations and operant conditioning training.
• Intern will learn basic construction, building and grounds maintenance tasks and repair work common in the herpetology area. 
• Intern will operate hand tools, power tools and yard work equipment to maintain animal habitats.
• Intern will connect people with our world’s vanishing wildlife and wild places to inspire conservation action.
• Intern will support daily purposeful enrichment and documentation to promote, encourage and evaluate natural and guest engaging behaviors.
• Intern will observe veterinary medical behaviors and