Careers & Internships

EMPLOYMENT

Are you interested in working in a fun, active, creative environment? Do you want to contribute to a healthy and vibrant Peoria community? Consider working with us at Peoria Zoo! Our employment opportunities encompass full-time, part-time, seasonal and internship positions.

The Peoria Zoo is owned and operated by the Peoria Park District. For all open positions at the Zoo and Park District, please visit https://peoriaparks.org/careers/.

The Peoria Park District hires without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, pregnancy, unfavorable discharge from military service, or disability. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, applications and resumes for all positions will continue to be reviewed until position is filled. To ensure full consideration applications and resumes should be forwarded in a timely manner.

While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

join our team

Internships

Internships at the Peoria Zoo are available in five areas:

Education
Animal Care
Collections Management
Development
Technology

Internships last for a minimum of 12 weeks, 16 hours per week.

All intern program applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

Completed at least two years of college at an accredited institution majoring in the area in which they would like to be considered. Interns may also have equivalent or relevant life experience that can also be considered.
Overall grade point average of C+ (2.5 on a 4.0 scale) or better.
Submit a properly completed intern application packet.

The application package must include all of the following materials:

A completed Peoria Zoo intern program application form.
A completed Peoria Park District volunteer registration.
Two letters of recommendation
An official copy of the applicant’s most recent transcripts for all colleges or universities attended.
A current resume detailing education and other qualifications
A cover letter answering essay questions (see application package for details).

Internships are available on a year-round basis. Most internships are unpaid. Housing arrangements are the responsibility of the successful intern.

Application deadlines for internships are as follows:

Summer Term (May thru August) Deadline: April 1
Fall Term (September thru December) Deadline: August 1
Winter Term (January thru April) Deadline: December 1

Applicants chosen to be interviewed will be notified by email. Successful applicants will be advised of their selection and internship assignments by email. A $15 program fee is required upon placement into the internship program.

For the welfare of employees and animals, proof of a current tetanus vaccination and TB test is required for education and animal care internships prior to the start of the internship assignment.

For further information on internships contact us

Download internship application

VOLUNTEER & INTERN REGISTRATION