National Aviary Internships
Interns at the National Aviary gain professional experiences and real-world skills, earn college credits, forge lasting connections, and explore career paths in animal care, the zoological field, or nonprofit management. There is an internship for almost every career path at the National Aviary! Interns may help provide care for the birds, assist with educational programs, develop marketing campaigns, and assist with the planning of major fundraising events.
The National Aviary offers various Internship opportunities throughout the year in the following departments: Animal Ambassador, Animal Care, Education, Horticulture, Marketing, Philanthropy, Volunteer Program, and Veterinary Hospital.
Please refer to the dates below for what departments currently offer internship opportunities, specific application periods, orientation sessions, and workshop schedules for each season.
2026 Internship Opportunities
Summer
- Application Period: CLOSED (February 1 – February 21)
- Duration: May – August
- Orientation: Sat., May 16
Fall
- Application Period: June 1 – June 21
- Duration: September – December
- Orientation: TBD
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Animal Ambassador
Ambassador Animal Internship – Onsite
Department: Animal Programs
To Apply:
Interested applicants should provide a cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation to Anna Turchick at [email protected].
Description:
Join the National Aviary’s Animal Programs team as an Ambassador Animal Intern. Gain valuable experience in animal care, training, guest engagement, and enrichment. Our department cares for a variety of species including parrots, birds of prey, and other mixed species who participate in conservation education programs including free-flight shows, classes, outreaches, and up-close Animal Encounters.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Care for a variety of Animal Ambassadors
- Maintain habitats
- Prepare diets for various species
- Observe various bird behaviors
- Observe operant conditioning techniques
- Assist with free-flight bird shows
- Create animal enrichment
- Public speaking
- Observe diverse conservation educational experiences
- Participate in formal intern workshops
Education, Experience and Skills:
Animal Ambassador trainers and interns work in a very fast-paced environment. Due to the nature of the work, applicants must:
- Be able to lift 50 pounds
- Prepare diets that include mice and chick
- Work around allergens such as nuts, fish, and latex
- Work as a member of a team and independently
- Be a self-starter with a positive attitude
- Interact positively with the public
Additional Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Work a minimum of 3 days a week for fall and spring semesters and 5 days a week for the summer
- Must be willing to work weekends and holidays
- Must be willing to work 7:30 am – 4 pm
For students who are eligible for work study through their college: Speak with your financial aid or student advisor within your college or university to establish the National Aviary as an approved work study site.
Winter/Spring
Application period: closed
Internship Runs: Sat. January 10 – Orientation
January – April
Summer
Application period: February 1 – February 21
Intern Runs: May – August
Orientation – TBD
Fall
Application period: June 1 – June 21
Internship Runs: September – December
Orientation – TBD
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Education Programs
Education Programs Internship – Onsite
Department: Education
To Apply:
Interested applicants should provide a cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation to Katie Manion, [email protected].
Description:
The goal of this internship is to provide students valuable experience in the field of informal education. Our work incorporates practices from environmental, conservation, and informal science education. Interns considering a career in classroom-based, informal education, or public engagement in AZA organizations will gain valuable experience on engaging learners of all ages and backgrounds. The Education Programs intern will work under the direct supervision of the National Aviary’s Education Programs team, including the Curator of Education and the Program Specialist. This internship focuses on developing, facilitating, and evaluating a variety of conservation-based programs and experiences, including on-site programs for schools, families, and scouts, educational events, and community outreach.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Public speaking
- Conservation education
- Observing diverse educational experiences
- Participate in formal intern workshops
- Assist in development and preparation of educational programming
- Assist with delivery of onsite and outreach educational programs
- Assist the Volunteer Manager with daily facility operations and coordinating teen volunteers
- Assist in preparation and facilitation of educational events
- Plan and execute a conservation-based educational experience
- Support Animal Programs team through show ushering and AV support
Education, Experience and Skills:
Education programs staff and interns work in a very fast-paced environment. Due to the nature of the work, applicants must:
- Be enthusiastic about engaging with a wide variety of audiences in support of the National Aviary’s mission
- Interact positively with public audiences of all ages
- Work well in a team and independently
- Be a self-starter with a positive attitude
Additional Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Availability to work a minimum of three days a week is preferred
- Availability to work weekends is preferred
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Veterinary Hospital
Veterinary Hospital Internship – Onsite
Veterinary Department
To Apply:
Interested applicants should provide a cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation to Jess Lindberg, [email protected].
Description:
The National Aviary’s Veterinary Hospital internship program provides a unique educational experience for pre-veterinary, veterinary, and veterinary technician students. The internship can also be for students interested in avian biology, field research, wildlife rehab, and more. The internship curriculum has 3 components: academic lessons in avian medicine, teaching hands-on skills with patient care, and working directly with the veterinary team in medical procedures. The goals of the internship are to teach interns the knowledge and skills necessary to be eligible for veterinary school or graduate from veterinary technician & veterinary school.
The expectations for the interns are to actively participate in patient care, medical procedures, and medical rounds. Also, the interns are to study educational materials provided to them. Each week, the students will document what they have learned, and complete a final project presentation for the veterinary team at the end of the internship session.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Patient care for Special Care Program birds (cleaning, feeding, enrichment, monitoring)
- Observing and assisting veterinary staff with medical procedures
- Independently study cases, behavior, anatomy and protocols including pharmacy, treatments/procedures, lab and surgery with an established curriculum
- Medical rounds with veterinary staff
Education, Experience and Skills:
- Currently enrolled or graduated with degree in Pre-veterinary, Veterinary, Veterinary Technician, Zoology, Wildlife or similar programs.
- Strong interest in birds and avian medicine
- Strong work ethic
- Dedication & desire to learn
- Time management skills
- Communication/Teamwork
- Attention to detail
Additional Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must be able to work both as a team and independent
All departments accepting Summer Interns are listed above. If you no longer see a listing relating to your career path, that position has been filled. Not all departments accept Interns each semester.
“The Animal Care staff was incredibly kind and always ensured that we were included in a variety of experiences that broadened our knowledge of animal care…there were always plenty of opportunities to learn something new and practice our developing skills.”
-Summer 2022 Animal Care Intern
Applying for an Internship
The National Aviary posts all available internships on this website. If you do not see an internship listed that relates to your career path, please continue to check online for any new postings.
All National Aviary interns must have U.S. citizenship or provide a current visa. All staff and interns are required to pass criminal background checks. For questions relating to these requirements, please contact [email protected].
For general internship questions, contact [email protected].