Intern, Aquatic Population Sustainability

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is seeking an Aquatic Population Sustainability Summer Intern to join our Conservation, Management, and Wellbeing Sciences team. This internship offers a valuable opportunity to gain experience in sustainable population management by assisting with resource development and data collection for aquatic population within AZA zoos and aquariums. The internship is structured to provide hands-on learning through project-based assignments, training, and ongoing feedback.

This internship is based in our Silver Spring, MD headquarters and is eligible for our hybrid or remote work schedule. Interns must be based in DC, MD, or VA for the duration of the internship. This internship will run 12 weeks in the summer, from June to August. The core internship cohort dates are June 8 – August 14. Start and end dates are flexible based on the intern’s summer calendar. 

Responsibilities

• Perform data acquisition, tabulation, and basic analysis to inform aquarium species sourcing and collection recommendations.
• Research literature and AZA resources to support additional resources for aquatic collection planning and sustainability. 
• Draft resources for data collection practices for exhibit management and aquatic welfare. 
• Work with departmental staff to write, review, and update webpages, resources, and other materials related to AZA Aquatics and Animal Programs.
• Assist with organizing departmental data, updating, and reviewing data housed in AZA’s associated databases

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a college or university program in Animal Science, Conservation Science, or a related field.
• Interest or experience with zoos and aquariums is preferred.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Detail-oriented and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• A positive attitude and willingness to learn.
• Experience working with large data sets, performing literature reviews, and assimilating information from articles into summary statements.
• Ability to work effectively with team members and stakeholders in remote and hybrid settings.
• Experience with R coding. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)

This is a paid internship with an hourly rate of $18, with interns working up to 40 hours per week.

AZA offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible positions, including but not limited to health insurance options, life and disability insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan. To encourage work/life balance, AZA also offers a variety of paid time off plans including vacation, sick, and personal time; holidays; and parental leave. AZA also offers hybrid work schedules and flexible work weeks for eligible positions. We regularly review our benefits to ensure they remain competitive and responsive to employee feedback.

AZA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic. We use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.