Zoo Jobs: General Information

merchandisingEntry-level jobs in Guest Services

These jobs often require limited or no experience since we do our own in-house training. These positions are ideal for those still in school, those desiring secondary job or placement income, or those who are unsure of their career path and want to try a job at a zoo before making it a career.

These positions include food service clerks, merchandise sales clerks, ticket sellers, Park aides, visitor assistance officers, pricing clerks, and parking lot attendants.

College Fellowships

CRES is pleased to offer twelve Summer College Student Fellowships in various areas of research at the Zoological Society of San Diego's center for Conservation and Research for Endangered Species (CRES). Since 1975, CRES has made opportunities available to interested and qualified students in order to gain research experience in the field of zoological conservation research. CRES is made up of a diverse and dynamic research team, including the divisions of Applied Animal Ecology, Behavioral Biology, Genetics, Plant Conservation, Reproductive Physiology, and Wildlife Disease Laboratories.

Fellowships are for 12 weeks, from late May/early June to late August/early September. Undergraduate and graduate students interested in pursuing scientific careers relating to the scientific disciplines represented at CRES are welcome to apply. This year two Fellowships will be available in each of the six CRES divisions: Applied Animal Ecology, the Behavioral Biology, the Genetics, the Plant Conservation, the Reproductive Physiology, and the Wildlife Disease Laboratories. Applications for Fellowships are accepted between January 1 and March 16 of each year for the following summer. All applications must be postmarked no later than March 16. Applications and more information are available on the CRES Web site when applications are being accepted. To request additional information, use the CRES online contact form.

Click here for details about our Conservation Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.

Vet with pandaVeterinary internships

For clinical veterinary externships info...
For clinical veterinary residency info...

Summer internships for high school and college students
with the Education Department

Informal science education is an important part of the mission of the Zoological Society of San Diego. Paid student internships are available for high school and college students, ages 16 and older. There are two versions of the internship: Safari Sleepover student interns at the San Diego Zoo and Summer Camp student interns at the Wild Animal Park. Safari Sleepover student interns work weekends as part of the Zoo's overnight camp program. Summer Camp interns work at the Wild Animal Park Monday through Friday as part of a teaching team for campers ages 5 to 12. These positions do not involve any animal contact or animal care. Positions are usually posted online around March of each year.

Zoo InternQuest group with sea lion

Zoo InternQuest and Virtual InternQuest

Zoo InternQuest is a program that provides high school students interested in pursuing careers in the life sciences (biology, zoology, human or veterinary medicine, wildlife management, botany, etc.) with the opportunity to learn from Zoo experts. Virtual InternQuest allows individual students or whole classrooms anywhere in the world to participate in Zoo InternQuest through the Internet.

Internships at other zoos

For information on internships available at zoos and aquariums throughout the United States and Canada, check with the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA).

If you have additional questions, contact Human Resources.