Tennessee Department of Agriculture Animal Health Internship

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture's Animal Health Division and the Office of the State Veterinarian are seeking an intern for summer 2027, from May 17 through Aug. 13, 2027. The selected candidate will gain hands on experience in office and field settings supporting animal-health activities and gaining exposure to regulatory, surveillance and diagnostic work performed by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Location:

Ellington Agricultural Center

Porter Building

436 Hogan Road, Nashville, TN 37220

Major Duties

Office and Animal Health Operations

• Assist with managing Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs) and animal health testing records.
• Perform data entry and support the organization and maintenance of animal-health records and related documentation.
• Help respond to stakeholder inquires under staff supervision, following established regulations and procedures.
• Participate in animal health meetings with state and federal animal health professionals.

Field and Regulatory Exposure

• Assist or shadow staff during poultry testing and disease-surveillance testing in suspect cases.
• Accompany staff during livestock welfare inspections, livestock market inspections and county fair inspections, as assigned.
• Support field documentation, specimen handling or shipping and electronic sample-submission processes as assigned.

Veterinary Diagnostic Exposure

• Spend one or two days observing necropsies or participating in related diagnostic activities, subject to operational needs and safety requirements.
• Observe or assist with laboratory accessioning and related veterinary diagnostic workflows, as appropriate.

Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Education Requirements

• Applicants must have a high school diploma and be currently pursuing a degree in animal science, pre-veterinary medicine, biology or a related area of study.
• Recent college graduates, master's students and doctoral students may apply.
• Applicants must be in good academic standing with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Essential Knowledge and Required Skills

• Interest in animal health, regulatory medicine, public service and public safety.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with staff and stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate professionally by telephone. 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail when performing data entry and maintaining records.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office is required.
• Ability to follow established biosafety, biosecurity, chemical hygiene and other applicable safety procedures.
• General knowledge of agriculture, livestock or poultry production is preferred but not required.

Comments

• This is a paid internship.
• Some travel may be required.
• This internship is part of the TDA's central internship program. Interns may participate in program activities and must complete an improvement project within their assigned division, followed by a presentation to Executive Leadership at the end of the internship term.
• For additional information, please visit the TDA website.

Working Conditions

• This internship will primarily occur in person in office and field settings, including animal-health offices, livestock markets, county fairs, testing locations and other assigned sites. Duties may involve exposure to livestock, poultry, animal specimens, field conditions and diagnostic or necropsy activities; applicable personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety, biosecurity and chemical-hygiene procedures must be followed.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted from Friday, Oct. 9, through Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. Applications must be submitted through the Formstack application on the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's careers page. Prepare the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of intent
• Most recent transcript
• Two professional letters of recommendation
• DD214 (veteran candidates only)

Questions about this application or any internship opportunity may be directed to Jamye Freeman at Jamye.Freeman@tn.gov.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 2026.