INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Conservation Internship

CompanyToledo Zoo
LocationToledo
Work ModeOn Site
PostedMay 22, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
Assist with conservation projects involving surveys, radio-telemetry, and biodiversity assessments for various turtle and snake species. Perform daily care, feeding, and data collection for the captive conservation collection while supervising teenage volunteers.
Internship Type
part time
Company Size
474
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
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About The Company
With more than 10,000 animals, representing over 500+ species, the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium is one of the world’s most complete zoological parks. Explore deep sea creatures and far off lands - from Africa to the Arctic in one fun day!
About the Role

Conservation Internship (Part- Time, Temporary)

Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

 

Our Conservation Department is currently seeking Part-Time Conservation Interns for our T.U.R.T.L.E. (Teens Understanding Research Techniques and Learning Ecology) program. Interns will assist with ongoing conservation projects, including surveys and radio-telemetry for Copperbelly Watersnakes, Blanding’s Turtles, Spotted Turtles, and Box Turtles, biodiversity assessments of restored habitats, captive husbandry of head-started species. Work will be based out of Toledo, but extensive, within-state travel is required to conduct fieldwork. 

This position reports to the Director of Vertebrate Conservation and is non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

 

Job Category: This position is temporary and expected to run from late May to mid-August 2026, with the option to assist with our sturgeon release in October. 


**NOTE** Housing is NOT Provided

Essential Job Functions:

  • Daily feeding, cleaning, and care of the captive conservation collection. 
  • Collecting accurate data, including weights, measurements, feedings, etc.
  • Attention to detail, especially pertaining to the head-started animals. 
  • Weekly collection updates to supervisor.
  • Training and supervising teenage volunteers or staff, and, 
  • Additional Zoo-related tasks as required. 

Minimum Training & Qualification 

  • Current student or recent graduate of partnering schools (TPS and Maumee);
  • Willingness and ability to work long hours in inclement weather (heat, cold, rain, etc.) with exposure to mosquitoes, biting flies, ticks, and noxious plants; 
  • Commitment to maintaining a safe work environment 
  • Dedication to accurate and thorough data collection 
  • Self-motivated with a positive attitude 
  • Respectful and professional in interactions with other team members, partners, and the public 
  • Must have the ability to lift 50lb and traverse irregular terrain (e.g., wetlands);
  • The Toledo Zoo is a drug-free workplace, including marijuana.   

 

Additional Preferred Qualifications 

  • Experience working with reptiles and amphibians, specifically turtles and snakes.
  • Experience with ecological surveying techniques and/or radio-telemetry. 
  • Previous work with teenage volunteers or community outreach.

To Apply

Please submit the following to the Toledo Zoo’s ADP site: 1) cover letter indicating you meet the job requirements and your available start and end dates; 2) resume/CV; and, 3) names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references. *NOTE*: The ADP site will give you the option of including a cover letter, but it is still required. 


Questions

Contact Matt Cross at 419-385-5721 x2156 or matt.cross@toledozoo.org. 


Toledo Zoo full-time and part-time employees have exclusive access to PNC EarnedIt, powered by DailyPay. This voluntary benefit allows employees to access a portion of their earned wages before payday, including pay for hours worked that same day. Learn more here.

 

The Toledo Zoo is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, creed, genetic information, sex, age, national origin, disability, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or 

Key Skills
Radio-telemetryEcological SurveyingCaptive HusbandryData CollectionBiodiversity AssessmentAnimal CareVolunteer SupervisionFieldwork
Categories
Science & ResearchEnvironmental & SustainabilityEducation
Benefits
PNC EarnedIt (Early Wage Access)