Teen Summer Internships

The application for Summer 2024 internships is now open and will close on April 1st at 5pm.

About The Program

Love animals, nature, and Oakland Zoo? We need your help! Join us as a Teen Intern and spend part of your summer on a nurturing team while learning new skills. These positions are designed for teens entering grades 9-12 in the Fall of 2024. Applicants should be energetic and flexible.

Read through each of the available opportunities below and find out how to apply.

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Note: ZooCamp Teen Assistant and Internship positions have their own webpage and application process. If you are interested in being a ZooCamp volunteer or intern, please click HERE to learn more.

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Info meetings to learn more about this program as well as our other summer teen programs will be held on both March 1st & 2nd at 4:15pm over zoom:

Topic: Teen Programs Info Meeting

Time: March 1 & 2, 2024 04:15 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85892883106

Meeting ID: 858 9288 3106

Passcode: 2rwuBG

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1. Guest Engagement Internship

The Guest Engagement Intern provides support to guests while they are engaging with content within the Habitarium, an indoor children’s exploration museum.

The time commitment for this internship is 2 days per week from 10:30am-5pm from June 3 - June 28 OR July 8 - August 2.

Click here for more details about the Teen Guest Engagement Internship (Habitarium).

2. California Trail Education Internship

The California Trail Education Intern provides support to Education Specialists as they engage guests within the California Trail section of Oakland Zoo.

The time commitment for this internship is 2 days per week from 10:30am-5pm from June 3 - June 28 OR July 8 - August 2.

Click here for more details about the Teen Education Internship (California Trail).

3. Teen Ambassador Animal Interpretation Program Internship

The Teen Ambassador Animal Interpretation Program Intern provides support to the Animal Ambassador Program Manager by assisting and leading informal educational programs throughout the zoo.

The time commitment for this internship is 2 days per week (weekdays only) from 9:30am-4pm from June 3 - June 28 OR July 8 - August 2

Click here for more details about the Teen Education Ambassador Animal Program Internship.

4. Facilities Maintenance Internship

The Facilities Maintenance Intern provides support to the Maintenance team by assisting with necessary administrative and hands-on support associated with the upkeep and expansion of the Zoo’s facilities.

The time commitment for this internship is flexible, with interns developing their own 9am-5pm schedule of days that fall within work week (Monday-Friday) between the summer months of June-August. The primary requirement is that maintenance interns must complete at least 200 hours of intern time throughout the summer.

Click here for more details about the Teen Maintenance Internship.

How To Apply

• Teens interested in becoming a Summer Intern need to submit a completed application online as well as email the following documents to Jessie Sayre, Coordinator of Internships & Teen Programs at jsayre@oaklandzoo.org:

          - A cover letter explaining why you are applying for the internship (500 words or less)

           - A Resume, list of past experiences, or unofficial school transcript

           - One letter of recommendation - professional or educational - can include volunteer supervisors, coaches, or teachers

• Note: All four internships require candidates to fill out the same application.
• Applicants must clearly designate their preferred internship option on the application.
• After we receive completed applications, participants that pass the initial round of processing will be contacted via the email they provided on the application to schedule an interview.
• A $50 non-refundable fee is required for anyone who is selected to become an intern. This fee helps to cover some of our operational costs such as intern shirts and other materials. If this fee would prevent you from applying for one of these positions, please fill out this Summer Internship Financial Aid Form in addition to completing your application and we may have funds available to help cover this cost.

>> Click here for the Teen Summer Internship application <<

Additional Information

Covid-19 protocols for perspective interns

• Vaccination: All Zoo staff, including interns and volunteers, are vaccinated against Covid-19. Interns must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and at least 1 booster.
• Masks: Oakland Zoo no longer requires masks. Masking at the Zoo is always an option, especially as you may sometimes find yourself in indoor spaces where social distancing may not be possible.
• If you test positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms of illness during your internship, please let us know immediately.
• Covid-19 protocols are subject to change.

Contact Information

Still have questions? Please contact:

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Jessie Sayre (she/her/hers)

Coordinator, Internships and Teen Programs

(510) 632-9525 ext. 208

Email >>

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Nathaniel Landers (he/him/his)

Manager, Teen Outreach

(510) 632-9525 ext. 201

Email >>