Animal Care Intern

The Living Desert’s mission is desert conservation through preservation, education, and appreciation. We care for 600 animals with over 160 desert species represented. We are seeking qualified and enthusiastic candidates to join our Animal Care team as an Animal Care Intern.  

This is a paid internship position and will take place Fall 2026 (September-November).

Position Summary:

This internship position pays $16.90/ hour and will be flexible in hours ranging from 8-24 hours worked per week dependent on candidate selection. Hours must be completed within the designated time frame listed above. Shifts are 8 hours. Summer season shift: 6:00am – 3:00pm; In season shift 7:00am-4:00pm (including weekends and holidays). Schedule to be determined upon acceptance into the internship program. 

The successful candidate will rotate through all four areas of animal care over the course of 10 weeks; African Safari & Rhino Savanna, Desert Wilds, Wildlife Connections, and the Nutrition Center. They will also complete a project focused on enriched experiences for a species of their choice. 

This is a fluid position and as such can be flexible in focus depending on the candidate’s interest and career goals. Some ideas of focus include, but are not limited to: animal nutrition, engineering with a focus on animal enriching experiences, behavioral observations and operant conditioning, animal husbandry and care, etc. 

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Must represent The Living Desert in a professional manner, interact with guests, and be knowledgeable and share The Living Desert conservation messages, story, and mission. 
• Punctuality and Reliability 
• General knowledge of zoo animal husbandry, natural history and observational skills
• Uphold The Living Desert’s brand, standards, and culture by maintaining a safe, positive, and productive workplace environment for animals, guests, and staff 
• Must follow and abide by all rules enforced through The Living Desert Employee Handbook. 
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to accurately report daily information

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years or older
• Must have received high school diploma or equivalent and be enrolled in college or recent graduate (2 years); STEM education preferred. 
• Covid vaccination and up-to-date boosters are required. 
• Negative tuberculosis test prior to start date is required. 
• Background check 
• Experience with animal care and public interactions is a plus.
• Valid California driver license. 

Working Conditions:

• Standing, walking, twisting, climbing, crawling, kneeling, reaching motions, lifting (up to 50lbs)
• Exposure to extreme heat, chemicals and dust/airborne materials.
• Works with potentially dangerous animals (large ungulates, carnivores, venomous snakes)
• Intern will be in uniform and wear a name tag while on zoo grounds. Appropriate footwear (work boots, hiking boots, or similar) are required. Appropriate outerwear is required for all weather conditions (extreme heat, dust, rain, wind, etc). 

To apply for this position: Qualified applicants must apply on Paylocity and include a resume, two (2) references and cover letter addressed to Tim Van Loan, Animal Care Curator.

Deadline for submissions: Sunday, August 30th, 2026, interviews will be scheduled as applications are received.

Desert Conservation Through Preservation, Education and Appreciation.