Internship
The Salisbury Zoo offers unpaid internships for college students and individuals pursuing higher education in animal care, education, or veterinary-related fields. Internships are available in the fall, spring, and summer seasons, with a minimum hour commitment which varies per department. Fall internships run from September to December, spring internships from January to May, and summer internships from June to August.
Internships are available in the following areas: education, animal care, and the animal hospital. Each area provides hands-on experience in a real zoo setting.
To support your academic progress, we are happy to collaborate with your school advisors to provide the necessary documentation for internship credit.
Department Overviews
Education Interns
Assist the education staff in providing care, creating diets, and supporting enrichment and training for the ambassador animal collection. Help with general maintenance, programming, events, office tasks, data logging, and any other responsibilities as needed. Interns will also have the opportunity to receive training to handle lower-level ambassador animals. A minimum of 150 hours must be completed, and all interns are required to complete and present a project by the end of their internship.
Animal Care Interns
Animal care interns work closely with animal care technicians to provide essential animal care, prepare diets, and maintain clean exhibits. Interns will have the opportunity to assist in developing and implementing enrichment activities for the animals. Additional responsibilities may include participating in afternoon projects, supporting behavior training, and assisting with medical procedures. Animal care interns must be available for morning shifts (8 a.m. – noon) and/or afternoon shifts (1 p.m. – 5 p.m.), with a minimum commitment of 15 hours per week, including both weekdays and weekends.
Vet Interns
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NEW for Summer 2026!
Browse
The browse intern will focus on enhancing animal welfare by managing and expanding the zoo’s browse program. Primary responsibilities include compiling an updated list of approved species, developing a comprehensive browse map of the grounds, and exploring innovative ways to integrate browse into daily husbandry practices. This role is physically active and requires initiative, as well as a level of independence. The browse internship additionally involves working outdoors in various weather conditions. Interns will collaborate with both the animal care and veterinary staff to identify, harvest, and distribute safe browsable items. This position requires a commitment of up to 3 days per week (approximately 15–24 hours), and candidates should possess strong organizational skills and an interest in botany or ecosystem management. Preference for college students studying applicable majors, but open to high school.
Conservation
The Conservation intern will focus on advancing the zoo’s mission through local and/or regional conservation initiatives. Key responsibilities include assisting with the planning and execution of conservation-oriented events, researching field projects, and developing partnerships with local stakeholders, such as UMES. Interns will help monitor conservation data and may have the opportunity to assist in grant writing to support ongoing or future research efforts. This role requires a commitment of 1–3 days per week (approximately 8–24 hours). Ideal candidates are those with a passion for wildlife conservation, strong networking skills, and a desire to bridge the gap between institutional goals and community action. Preference for college students (of any degree) but open to high school.
Accessibility
The accessibility intern will collaborate with staff and local stakeholders to advance the zoo’s goals toward inclusivity and community belonging. Responsibilities may include auditing facility accessibility, assisting with the development of sensory-friendly programming, and researching best practices for inclusive signage and habitats. Interns may also support administrative tasks such as grant writing for accessibility projects and representing the zoo at community outreach events. This position requires a commitment of 1–2 days per week (approximately 8–16 hours), with shifts available on both weekdays and weekends depending on event schedules. All interns are required to complete and present a final project focused on an accessibility improvement plan by the end of their internship. Preference for college students studying applicable majors, but open to other majors.
Behavioral Husbandry
The Behavioral Husbandry intern will play a key role in the enhancement of behavioral husbandry program. This position focuses on the management of data and goals associated with this program, including auditing existing records, performing behavioral data collection, and assisting with the management of the zoo’s comprehensive enrichment database. Interns will be instrumental in the implementation of the “Enriched Experiences” program, as well. Additional duties may include assessing opportunities for grant funding and collaborating with keepers to evaluate the efficacy of enrichment strategies. This position requires a commitment of 1–3 days per week (approximately 8–24 hours). Candidates should possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and an interest in the science of animal behavior. Strong computer skills and data analysis are also desirable. Preference for college students studying applicable majors, but open to other majors.
Marketing & Guest Relations
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If interested in applying for an internship, please fill out the appropriate provided application below.
Any additional questions can be addressed by Intern Coordinator, Kelly Colbert at kcolbert@salisbury.md
Applications
Spring Internships: (applications due by Nov. 15th)
Summer Internships: (applications due by April 15th)
Fall Internships: (applications due by July 15th)
Internship Application
APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED FOR SUMMER 2026