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. 

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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