INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Aviculture and Mammals Internship (Unpaid)

CompanySC AQUARIUM
LocationCharleston
Work ModeOn Site
PostedJune 9, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The intern will assist with daily animal care, husbandry, and behavioral management for native bird and mammal collections. Responsibilities include implementing training, designing enrichment, and representing the aquarium to visitors.
Internship Type
seasonal
Company Size
213
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
32 hours
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About The Company
OUR MISSION The South Carolina Aquarium inspires conservation of the natural world by exhibiting and caring for animals, by excelling in education and research, and by providing an exceptional visitor experience. OUR VISION Leading the way to connect people with water, wildlife and wild places.
About the Role


Aviculture + Mammal Internship (Unpaid), Fall/Winter 2026 


Description:

The aviculture + mammal intern position is an unpaid internship designed to begin in August 2026 and conclude in January 2027.

The internship is ideal for those interested in day-to-day operations that occur within the aviculture and mammal department at the South Carolina Aquarium. The intern will have the opportunity to learn about and participate in husbandry practices and behavioral management of the South Carolina Aquarium’s native bird and mammal collection. The intern will assist staff with all aspects of daily animal care including husbandry, training, and enrichment design. Additionally, opportunities to learn raptor handling, operant conditioning, and assist in cooperative projects with other animal care galleries, collect specimens in the field, and more will be available. This internship is intended for candidates with previous animal experience that would like experience with captive managed bird and mammal populations in a formal AZA certified animal care setting.


Learning Objectives:

  • Follow aquarium safety and animal protocols
  • Become familiar with AZA animal care and welfare standards
  • Develop an understanding of species natural history and functional behaviors
  • Understand environmental enrichment using the SPIDER method
  • Understand behavioral training using operant conditioning
  • Understand non-profit organization operations
  • Develop animal care, cleaning, and restraint/capture skills
  • Understand and execute enrichment and training techniques
  • Learn and follow proper feeding procedures and techniques in caring for animals, and ensure daily care of animals
  • Be able to recognize signs of disease and understand the purpose of quarantine
  • Professionally represent The South Carolina Aquarium on the floor for visitors from around the world 


Commitment & Qualifications:

  • Length of internship: 6 months
  • Hours per week: 24-32
  • College undergraduate or recent post-undergraduate preferred
  • Any major in Natural Science preferred


Additional Skills:

  • Clear communication skills during the planning, implementation and execution of projects.
  • Flexible and comfortable in an open-plan workspace that is constantly energetic and dynamic
  • Ability to work independently; demonstrating the ability to be a proactive problem-solver strongly desired.

 

Compensation & Benefits:

  • Unpaid; housing not included
  • College credit may be available through your university
  • Professional development workshops
  • Ability to earn aquarium tickets and a reciprocity pass to area attractions 

 

Physical Requirements: 

Often requires walking, standing, and bending. Regularly requires stooping, crouching, climbing ladders/steps, carrying up to 50 lbs., sitting, kneeling, balancing, pushing and pulling, crawling, working with tools, and working in tight spaces


Internship dates and hours

  • Six months, 24 hours per week minimum requirement
  • Start date: August 2026
  • End date: January 2027
  • Weekly schedule varies but hours are typically 8AM-4PM 3-4 days a week, with the potential of working one weekend day a week.


Key Skills
Husbandry PracticesBehavioral ManagementOperant ConditioningRaptor HandlingEnrichment DesignAnimal RestraintCommunication SkillsProblem Solving
Categories
Science & ResearchEnvironmental & SustainabilityAgricultureEducation
Benefits
College CreditProfessional Development WorkshopsAquarium TicketsReciprocity Pass to Area Attractions
Aviculture and Mammals Internship (Unpaid) - InternshipsHQ