Zoo Jobs: General Information
Entry-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
The San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research is pleased to offer 12 Summer College Student Fellowships in various areas of research. Since 1975, Conservation Research has made opportunities available to interested and qualified students in order to gain research experience in the field of zoological conservation research. It is made up of a diverse and dynamic research team, including the divisions of Applied Animal Ecology, Behavioral Biology, Genetics, Applied Plant Ecology, 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 are welcome to apply. This year two Fellowships will be available in each of the six Conservation Research divisions. Applications for Fellowships are accepted between January 1 and February 28 of each year for the following summer. All applications must be postmarked no later than February 28. Applications and more information are available on the Conservation Research Web site when applications are being accepted. To request additional information, use the Conservation Research online contact form.
Veterinary externships
For clinical veterinary externships info...
For clinical veterinary residency info...
Passport To your Future: ZSSD College Relations Program
Looking for an Adventure this Summer?
Live in beautiful San Diego, California, and work as a summer intern for the World-famous San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, two of the busiest, most reputable, and most popular tourist attractions in the country!
- Paid Summer Internships
- Housing Assistance
- Gain Invaluable Experience
- Terrific Resume Builder
- Experience Fun in the Sun this Summer in San Diego
The San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park have your passport to adventure!
Not only will the interns fill specific roles within their departments (i.e. Food Service Clerk; Education Camp Counselor; Skyfari Attendant, etc.), but they will be given assignments over the summer to ensure that they leave at the end of the summer with a real understanding of the business aspect of our organization: how we operate as a nonprofit organization, how our Board works, the financials, and many other key business facets.
Summer Internship applications are accepted between January 1 and March 31 of each year.
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.
