Hundreds of individuals contact Woodland Park Zoo every year asking about the possibility of internships or job shadowing in zoo keeping, animal health veterinary work, horticulture and other vocations. Due to the volume of requests, staffing and space limitations, we ordinarily are unable to honor most requests. However, intern opportunities occasionally arise in several areas.
Event Planning and Event Operations Internships
The Event Planning and Operations Internships have been filled for 2010. Please visit this spot again in late winter 2011 for new opportunities.
Job Shadowing
We are not able to coordinate job shadow requests due to the volume of requests, scheduling difficulties and safety issues. For more information, visit the Zoo Careers section of our website. Occasionally, keepers are able to complete email interviews about their vocations. Please contact webkeeper@zoo.org to request an email interview.
Veterinary Externships
Externship opportunities are available for third or fourth year veterinary students. Woodland Park Zoo provides veterinary support to the Seattle Aquarium and maintains a close working relationship with the University of Washington and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma. Interested students should indicate if they desire additional experience at these allied institutions at the time of application. With the exception of the Seattle Aquarium, work experience in these allied institutions is NOT a guaranteed component of the zoo's study program. Students are expected to work a standard 40-hour work week and be available for after-hours procedures or treatments as needed. The course of study is four (4) weeks with a maximum of 16 weeks.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: A completed application form (obtain by contacting Dr. Kelly Helmick, listed below), letter of intent, Curriculum Vitae, veterinary school transcript, and two (2) letters of recommendation for professionals familiar with the student's clinical experience.
Send to: Dr. Kelly Helmick, Associate Veterinarian, Animal Health Department, WPZ, 601 N. 59th Street, Seattle, WA 98103. Email contact: kelly.helmick@zoo.org
Veterinary Technician Internship/Externship Veterinary Technician
Externships are available for veterinary technician students currently enrolled and in good standing with an accredited veterinary technician program. Generally, students participate during their last quarter in early spring and summer and participate for a three to four week period. No stipend is available.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Send your resume and cover letter including preferred dates to: Linda Moneymaker, Animal Health Department, WPZ, 601 N. 59th Street, Seattle, WA 98103. Email contact: linda.moneymaker@zoo.org
Zookeeping and Horticulture Internships
We currently are not able to offer internships in this area.
Digital Photography Internships:
Two unpaid internships (one Spring, one Summer) are available annually through the Communications department, reporting to the staff photographer. The digital photography intern will help supplement and maintain the zoo’s photo collection and perform other post-production activities. There will be frequent opportunities for the intern to shoot assignments, assist the zoo’s photographer, work on a longer-term project, and submit their work for publication at the zoo. Subjects for photography at the zoo are wide-ranging and may include plants, animals, concerts, visitors and exhibits. Images made by the intern may be used in on-grounds signage, advertising, multimedia presentations, on our Web sites, in social media or published in our member magazine, myZoo. Applications and portfolios are due for either internship on March 15, 2011.
Application details at http://www.zoo.org/Page.aspx?pid=1128