Careers & Internships

• Paid holiday and Paid-Time Off (PTO) Accrual
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Paid Conservation Leave to Volunteer for Conservation Efforts
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance & Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• AFLAC Accident, Hospital Indemnity, and Critical Illness Insurance Plans
• Discounted Pet Insurance
• Parental/FMLA Leave
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Free Career Development Trainings

• Free admission to the Zoo & Aquarium
• Guest Passes to Zoo, Cool Zoo, and Aquarium
• Employee Discounts
    • Gift shops
    • Concessions
    • Memberships
    • Events, such as Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do
    • Audubon Golf Course

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: Audubon Nature Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Under the PSLF program, employees may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance due on your William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (Direct Loan Program) loans after you have made 120 qualifying payments on those loans while employed full- time.

Contact Audubon’s Human Resources department at (504) 212-5334. for more information on these employee benefits.

• Paid-Time Off (PTO) Accrual
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• AFLAC Accident, Hospital Indemnity, and Critical Illness Insurance Plans
• Discounted Pet Insurance
• Free Career Development Trainings

• Free admission to the Zoo & Aquarium
• Guest Passes to Zoo, Cool Zoo, and Aquarium
• Employee Discounts
    • Gift shops
    • Concessions
    • Memberships
    • Events, such as Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do
    • Audubon Golf Course

Contact Audubon’s Human Resources department at (504) 212-5334. for more information on these employee benefits.

Audubon Zoo is accepting applications on a rolling basis for a zookeeper internship program in the Bird Department.

Interns will have the opportunity to work with a variety of avian taxa and some mammal species including but not limited to pelicans, cranes, waterfowl, flamingoes, parrots, birds of prey, hornbills, and a variety of passerines. This opportunity is geared towards candidates that have an interest in a career in animal care or working with birds in a zoological setting. Interns will receive hands on experience and skills required to care for a wide range of avian species at an AZA accredited facility. This internship will teach basic principles such as daily husbandry, safe capture and restraint of various taxa, safe practices around exotic animals, diet preparation, animal enrichment, behavioral and medical observation, and record keeping. Interns will have the opportunity to complete a focused independent project of their choosing.

Location: Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, LA 

Requirements:

Internships are unpaid positions and last for a minimum of 12 weeks. Although exact start/end dates and schedules are flexible, interns must work either two or three days a week, including some weekends. Applicants must have current proof of COVID vaccination. Interns must attend an intern orientation upon initiation of internship. No housing is provided. 

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in all outdoor weather conditions including severe weather, extreme heat and humidity, rain, and cold temperatures.
• Ability to occasionally lift objects up to 50lbs.
• Physical ability to walk/stand for extended periods of time, sitting, stooping, kneeling, scrubbing, hosing, raking, etc.
• Intern must be able to understand and follow all Audubon and departmental safety protocols.
• An affinity for animals is required – intern should be comfortable or willing to work around birds of all sizes. 

Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years or older and be able to pass a background check.
• Utilize critical thinking to effectively communicate important information in a timely manner to intern coordinator or another team member.
• Strong observational skills and attention to detail
• Must be a hardworking and self-motivated individual with the ability to work individually or as part of a team.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements and willingness to work in the conditions listed above with reasonable accommodations.
• Positive attitude and desire to learn.
• Previous animal care experience and/or coursework in a related field is a plus.

How to Apply:

To apply to this internship please send a resume and cover letter outlining your experience and why you are specifically interested in interning with the Bird Department to Mikaela Aroff at maroff@auduboninstitute.org. Please add “Internship Application – Your Name” as the subject. Please indicate your preferred session and/or availability.

Internship sessions and deadlines (exact dates are flexible):

• Spring (January to April): Deadline of December 1
• Summer (May to August): Deadline of March 1
• Fall (August to November): Deadline of June 1

If your preferred placement has been filled, qualified applicants may be referred to other Audubon departments. By submitting application materials, the candidate agrees to release their information to our internship staff.

The husbandry team at Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center is seeking applicants for a bird internship.

Location:
Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center (FMASSC), New Orleans, LA

Department: Husbandry

Dates of Position:
Summer:
May (or June) - Aug 2023
(applications due Jan 31, 2023)

Fall:
Aug - Nov 2023
(applications due May 31, 2023)

Winter:
Nov 2023 - Feb 2024
(applications due July 31, 2023)

Time Commitment:
12 weeks (3 months)
Works 5 days per week (40 hours)
Including weekends and holidays

About the Species Survival Center:
The Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center (FMASSC) is a breeding and conservation facility run by Audubon Nature Institute. It is a unique piece of property that expands approximately 1,000 acres in an area south of downtown New Orleans and is closed to the general public. The FMASSC is known for its endangered Crane Recovery Center and ungulate sustainability programs. The Crane Recovery Center is 16 acres and raises whooping cranes and Mississippi sandhill cranes every year for release into the wild.

Summary of Position:
Interns will gain valuable hands-on experience working with a collection of about 60 endangered whooping cranes and Mississippi sandhill cranes and other various bird species at this AZA certified facility. Interns will gain experience in husbandry, enrichment, record keeping, diet preparation, monitoring animal behavior, assist in egg processing, costume-rearing of chicks, artificial insemination, pen design and maintenance, and veterinary procedures as they relate to general animal care. This internship is unpaid and free housing is available upon a limited basis.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Daily tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Diet preparation
• Feeding
• Cleaning enclosures (raking, sweeping, mopping, hosing etc.)
• Behavioral observations
• Facility maintenance (fence repair, mowing, weed eating, painting, etc.)
• Helping maintain and service incubators and the eggs within
• Wearing heavy denim costumes while walking, feeding, and cleaning around chicks
• Preparation and administering of enrichment items
• Assist staff with veterinary procedures when required

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• A sincere interest in birds.
• Strong interest in animal care, husbandry and conservation.
• Comprehensive understanding of avian imprinting and it’s relation to costume rearing
• Capable of accurately following written and verbal directions, policies and protocols.
• Good attitude and solid work ethic.
• Ability to work alone or as part of a team.
• Ability to work outdoors in physically demanding adverse conditions (heat, humidity, rain, biting insects, poison ivy, and snakes etc.), limited visibility, and lift 50 lbs.
• Up-to-date tetanus vaccination.
• Proof of negative TB skin test prior to beginning work.
• Must be able to pass a background check and drug test.

How to Apply:

• Send the following to Richard Dunn, rdunn@auduboninstitute.org by the application deadlines listed at the top of the page.
  • Cover Letter - State which internship session you are applying for in your cover letter.
  • Resumé
  • 3 Reference Contacts

The Coastal Wildlife Network (CWN) is a conservation program of Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana. CWN works in conjunction with the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, US Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as other Northern Gulf of Mexico partners to respond to dolphin, whale, and sea turtle strandings within the state of Louisiana.

Position Start and End Dates: March 6 - June 15, 2023 (some flexibility in start/end date)

Application Deadline: January 15, 2023

About the Program: The Coastal Wildlife Network (CWN) is a conservation program affiliated with Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans. CWN works in conjunction with The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, National Marine Fisheries Service, US Fish and Wildlife service, as well as other Northern Gulf of Mexico partners to respond to dolphin, whale, and sea turtle strandings within the state of Louisiana. The main goals of the program are to enhance stranding response to marine mammals and sea turtles across the state, keep detailed records of these strandings, and to collect and test samples acquired during necropsy and/or response.

Intern Responsibilities: Throughout the internship the intern will become an integral member of the team and will assist with stranding response, beach surveys, marine mammals and sea turtle necropsies, paperwork, cleaning, and weekly outreach. Additional projects may include digitizing archive data, vehicle maintenance, organization/restocking, maceration. Due to the unpredictable nature of strandings, interns may be required to work long days (exceeding 8 hours), interns should be prepared to assist with weekend/holiday coverage. Hours expected per week will range from 30-40 but will not exceed 40 hours. The schedule will be considered flexible to accommodate scheduled and non-scheduled field work hours. Most stranded animals reported are dead, beach cast-animals, live animal response and rehab is possible but should not be expected throughout the duration of the internship.

Applicant must:

• Be 18 years or older
• Preferably be a recent college graduate with interest in marine biology or conservation biology
• Be physically fit and able to lift at least 50 lbs.
• Be able to endure unpleasant conditions, extreme temperatures ranging from 40-100 °F, rain, humidity, biting insects, and prolonged exposure to the sun
• Possess good communication skills, and the ability to work in group settings or alone
• Have experience using Microsoft Office Suite

Housing/Compensation: Housing is provided during the duration of the internship, but there is no financial compensation. This internship is unpaid.

Application Process: Interested applicants are encouraged to send their cover letter, resume, three references, and dates of availability to Gabriella Vazquez at gvazquez@auduboninstitute.org no later than January 15, 2023, to be considered. Preference will be given to those who can stay through the entire internship period. Application review will begin immediately.

The husbandry team at Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center is seeking applicants for a crane internship. Position includes housing stipend.

Location: Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center (FMASSC) New Orleans, LA

Department:
Animal

Application due date:
September 1, 2022

Position Dates:
March - November 2023

Time Commitment:
9 month internship (37 weeks)
Works 5 days per week (40 hrs). Including weekends and holidays.

Benefits:
Free onsite housing
Stipend $200 per week (gross pay)

About the Species Survival Center:
The Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center (FMASSC) is a breeding and conservation facility run by Audubon Nature Institute. It is a unique piece of property that expands approximately 1,000 acres in an area south of downtown New Orleans and is closed to the general public. The FMASSC is historically known for its innovative research in exotic feline reproduction at its research facility, the “Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species (ACRES),” and its endangered Crane Recovery Programs. The Crane Recovery Center is 16 acres and raises whooping cranes and Mississippi sandhill cranes every year for release into the wild.

Summary of Position:
Interns will gain valuable hands-on experience working with a large collection of endangered whooping cranes and Mississippi sandhill cranes and other various bird species at this AZA certified facility.  Interns will gain experience in husbandry, enrichment, record keeping, diet preparation, monitoring animal behavior, assist in egg processing, costume-rearing of chicks, artificial insemination, pen design and maintenance, and veterinary procedures as they relate to general animal care. This internship offers a stipend and free onsite housing. The position is contingent on passing a background check and drug test.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Daily tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Diet preparation
• Feeding Cleaning enclosures (raking, sweeping, mopping, hosing etc.)
• Behavioral observations
• Facility maintenance (fence repair, mowing, weed eating, painting, etc.)
• Helping maintain and service incubators and the eggs within
• Wearing heavy denim costumes while walking, feeding, and cleaning around chicks
• Daily care for individual birds, pairs, flocks, and chicks
• Preparation and administering of enrichment items
• Assist staff with veterinary procedures when required
• Interns living on grounds are expected to keep the house clean

Requirements:

• A sincere interest in birds.
• Strong interest in animal care, husbandry and conservation.
• Comprehensive understanding of avian imprinting and it’s relation to costume rearing
• Capable of accurately following written and verbal directions, policies and protocols.
• Good attitude and solid work ethic.
• Ability to work alone or as part of a team.
• Ability to work outdoors in physically demanding adverse conditions (heat, humidity, rain, biting insects, poison ivy, and snakes etc.), limited visibility, and lift 50 lbs.
• Up-to-date tetanus vaccination and proof of negative TB skin test prior to beginning work.
• Must be able to pass a background check and drug test.

How to Apply:
Send the following to Richard Dunn, RDunn@auduboninstitute.org, by September 1, 2022.

• Cover letter - please state “stipend crane internship position” in your coverletter or email so we know what you are applying for
• Resume
• 3 Reference contacts

Location: Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center (FMASSC) New Orleans, LA

Department: Husbandry

Sessions:
Summer:
May (or June) - Aug 2023 (applications due Jan 31, 2023)

Fall: Aug - Nov 2023
(applications due May 31, 2023)

Winter:
Nov 2023 - Feb 2024
(applications due July 31, 2023)

Spring:
March - May 2024
(applications due Oct 1, 2023)

Time Commitment:
12 Weeks (3 months)
Works 5 days per week (40 hrs)
Including weekends and holidays

About the Species Survival Center:
The Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center (FMASSC) is a breeding and conservation facility run by Audubon Nature Institute. It is a unique piece of property that expands approximately 1,000 acres in an area south of downtown New Orleans and is closed to the general public. The FMASSC is known for its endangered Crane Recovery Center and ungulate sustainability programs. The ungulate habitats are natural and include a variety of species, such as giraffe, okapi, eland, bongo, sitatunga, duiker, and barasingha. 

Summary of Position:
Interns will gain valuable hands-on experience working with a variety of exotic hoofstock species at this AZA certified facility.  The internship will emphasize husbandry of hoofstock, but may also include experience with bird species. Interns will gain experience in husbandry, enrichment, record keeping, diet preparation, monitoring animal behavior, pen design and maintenance, and veterinary procedures as they relate to general animal care. Interns will spend the internship rotating through different animal areas and working on project pertaining to animal husbandry. All interns will also have the opportunity to visit the Audubon Zoo, Aquarium, Insectarium and occasionally the Mississippi Sandhill Crane Refuge. This internship is unpaid and free housing is available if needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Daily tasks include:

• Diet preparation
• Feeding
• Cleaning enclosures (raking, sweeping, mopping, hosing etc.)
• Behavioral observations
• Facility maintenance (fence repair, mowing, weed eating, painting, etc.)
• Preparation and administering of enrichment items
• Assist staff with veterinary procedures when required
• Record keeping

Requirements:

• Must be over 18 years of age
• Strong interest in animal care, husbandry and conservation.
• Capable of accurately following written and verbal directions, policies and protocols.
• Good attitude
• Ability to work alone or as part of a team.
• Ability to work outdoors in physically demanding adverse conditions (heat, humidity, rain, mosquitoes, poison ivy etc.)
• Up-to-date tetanus vaccination.
• Proof of negative TB skin test prior to beginning work.
• Must be able to pass a background check and drug test

How to Apply:

Send the following to Michelle Hatwood, MHatwood@auduboninstitute.org, by the application deadlines listed at the top of the page.

• Cover letter- State which internship session you are applying for in your cover letter
• Resumé
• 3 Reference contacts

In the event their preferred placement has been filled, qualified applicants may be referred to other Audubon departments. By submitting application materials, the candidate agrees to release their information to our internship staff. 

The Primates Department at Audubon Zoo is seeking applicants to fill our upcoming internship positions.

Internship Overview:

This internship provides an exciting and unique opportunity to gain experience working with our collection of Primates at Audubon Zoo. Interns will work with 11 different species of primates including prosimians, callitrichids, New World and Old World monkeys, and both lesser and great apes.

We are a close-knit team looking to teach and mentor those who are interested in working in this rewarding profession. Interns will gain valuable experience while working with experienced primate keepers to learn aspects of zoo animal care such as husbandry, enrichment, training, exhibit maintenance, conservation, and public presentations. We are looking for hard-working individuals who are passionate about the field of zookeeping and have a strong passion for educating our guests about wildlife and conservation.

Time Commitment:

Internships are unpaid positions and require at least 32 hours a week for a minimum of 12 weeks. This may include weekends and holidays. Exact start/end dates are flexible. No housing is provided.

Environmental/Working Conditions:

This internship includes manual labor and work in all weather conditions (e.g. heat, humidity, rain). Applicants must have current proof of a negative TB test and proof of a COVID vaccine.

Qualifications:

Must be at least 18 years old and demonstrate an interest in animal care and public education. Previous animal care experience is preferred.

Must be comfortable with all the physical challenges that come along with the position, including but not limited to: walking/standing for extended periods of time, lifting/carrying heavy objects (up to 50 lbs), climbing stairs and ladders, kneeling, scrubbing, raking, etc.

Must be able to follow both written and verbal instructions and effectively communicate with staff and other interns.

2022 Session Dates and Application Deadlines:

In order to fulfill internship program requirements, we encourage candidates to begin their seasonal placements within the first month of the ranges indicated below. Dates are flexible!

• Fall (August-November): Application Deadline: August 15
• Winter (November-January): Application Deadline: October 1
• Spring (January-April): Application Deadline:  December 1
• Summer (May-August): Application Deadline: March 1

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should send a resume and a cover letter outlining your experience and stating why you are interested in this position to zooprimates@auduboninstiture.org by the above deadlines. Please be sure to indicate your preferred session(s) in your application materials.  

In the event their preferred placement has been filled, qualified applicants may be referred to other Audubon departments. By submitting application materials, the candidate agrees to release their information to our internship staff.

The Basic Sea Lion Internship at Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, Louisiana is designed for college students or recent college graduates who are interested in a career in marine mammal training.

Internship Overview:

The Basic Sea Lion Internship at Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, Louisiana is designed for college students or recent college graduates who are interested in a career in marine mammal training. Our interns work side-by-side with experienced marine mammal trainers and educators. Interns will be exposed to all aspects of the daily care and training of California sea lions. We are currently accepting applications on a rolling basis.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in diet preparation, exhibit maintenance, cleaning, water quality testing and other section responsibilities.
• Observe and assist trainers in training and husbandry sessions.
• Implement enrichment for sea lions and design original enrichment.
• Complete weekly study guides and quizzes about animal care and training.
• Participate in lecture series given by the training staff.
• Learn how to complete record entry.
• Complete public speaking chats and guest engagement on and off a microphone.
• Can receive the opportunity to feed and ask for basic behaviors during training sessions.

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must have successfully completed one semester of college.
• Must be able to afford housing, food, and transportation to and from the zoo as this is a full time (40 hours per week) unpaid internship.
• Must be available for the full 13-week internship period.
• Must be able to lift 50lbs and work in all weather environments (extreme heat and humidity, rain, and freezing temperatures).
• Must provide a current negative TB test prior to start date.
• Must be able to acquire housing on own.
• Must be a self-motivated, upbeat, and hard-working individual.
•  

To Apply:

Send cover letter and one page resume via e-mail to sealions@auduboninstitute.org, Attn: Internship Coordinator. Please write "Basic Internship" in the subject line. Applications are received on a rolling basis with the following deadlines by semester:

Summer: April/May-July/August with application deadline of February 15
Fall: July/August-October/November with application deadline of May 15
Winter: October/November-January/February with application deadline of August 15
Spring: January/February-April/May with application deadline of November 15.

In the event their preferred placement has been filled, qualified applicants may be referred to other Audubon departments. By submitting application materials, the candidate agrees to release their information to our internship staff. 

Audubon Zoo is accepting applications on a rolling basis for a zookeeper internship program in the Jaguar Jungle department. Interns will have the opportunity to work with a variety of South American species including Jaguar, Ocelot, Giant Anteater, Sloth, and Macaws. There is also the opportunity to cross train with a variety of native Louisiana species, including American alligator, North American river otter, bobcat, cougar, raccoon, red fox, and native Louisiana reptiles, amphibians, and aquatics.

Internship sessions and deadlines (exact dates are flexible):
Spring (January to April): Deadline of December 1st
Summer (May to August): Deadline of March 1st
Fall (August to November): Deadline of June 1st

Interns will receive thorough instruction in the basic principles and skills required to care for exotic animals in a modern zoological setting. Interns will work side-by-side with staff and gain valuable hands-on experience in daily exotic animal husbandry and best practices. This internship will teach basic principles such as working safely with exotic animals and following established protocols, exhibit maintenance, diet preparation, animal enrichment, training utilizing operant conditioning, behavioral observation, record keeping, and educational interpretation on natural history and conservation to zoo guests.

Requirements:
Internships are unpaid positions and last for a minimum of 12 weeks. Although exact start/end dates and schedules are flexible, interns must work either three (3) or four (4) days a week, including some weekends and holidays. Applicants must have current proof of a negative TB test as well as proof of a COVID vaccine. Interns must attend an intern orientation upon initiation of internship. No housing is provided.

Environment/Working Conditions:
This position involves manual labor and work in all outdoor weather conditions, including but not limited to extreme heat and humidity, precipitation, and freezing temperatures. Interns must be comfortable with physical challenges including, but not limited to, walking/standing for extended periods of time, lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling heavy objects (up to 50 lbs), climbing stairs and ladders, sitting, stooping, kneeling, scrubbing, hosing, raking, etc. Intern must be able to follow both written and verbal instructions and effectively communicate with other staff. Intern must be able to understand and follow all Audubon and departmental safety protocols. Intern must have the ability to use a handheld two-way radio, phone, and common cleaning equipment (brooms, shovels, scrub brushes, etc.) An affinity for animals is required – intern should be comfortable working around animals of all sizes and taxa and be able to demonstrate appropriate behavior.

Qualifications:
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and be able to pass a background check. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in animal care, conservation, and/or guest engagement. Related coursework and/or previous animal experience is preferred but not required. The ideal candidate is a positive, motivated, hardworking individual with strong observational and communication skills who has the ability to work independently and with a team. Applicants should have an interest in Louisiana environment, culture, and natural history. Applicants should be comfortable with or have a willingness to learn about operating a basic paddle boat and working around water.

How to Apply:
To apply to this internship please send a resume and cover letter outlining your experience and why you are specifically interested in interning with the Jaguar Jungle/Swamp department to Grace Martins at zooswamp@auduboninstitute.org. Please add “Internship Application – Your Name” as the subject. Please indicate your preferred session and/or availability.

If your preferred placement has been filled, qualified applicants may be referred to other Audubon departments. By submitting application materials, the candidate agrees to release their information to our internship staff.