Employment Opportunities

Internships, Externships and Job Shadowing at Woodland Park Zoo
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.

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 Web site. 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 Internships
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. For information on other volunteer opportunities, please contact the zoo’s Volunteer office at 206.684.4845 or visit the Volunteer site.

Marketing, Accounting, IT, and other administrative areas
There may be limited needs for interns in other areas. These are usually posted on zoo.org or may be publicized by individual zoo departments. Check out the Employment Opportunities page on our website.