-
Job Description
job description
ABOUT THE PAID INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The L.A. Zoo is hiring Peer Leaders for the Summer 2025 internship cohort, running from June 16 - August 8, 2025. There are Peer Leader positions available in the Conservation and Visitor Engagement (Learning & Engagement) teams. The selected candidates will work directly with Zoo Staff to design curriculum, facilitate a sense of belonging, assist first-year interns with project completion, and provide support where necessary.
The following eligibility criteria applies:
• Must be at least 18 years of age by June 16, 2025;
• Reside within the City of Los Angeles boundaries; and
Our funding source for the Paid Internship Program outlines that participants must live within the City of Los Angeles boundaries. If you are unsure if you live within City boundaries, please check the City of Los Angeles Neighborhood Info website. If your address is not within City boundaries, the results will show "Nothing Found."
• Completion of the sophomore year by June 16, 2025, and continuing work toward a degree from a recognized four-year college or university
Must be able to provide proof of enrollment (official OR unofficial college or university transcripts showing enrollment in the Spring 2025 quarter / semester)
Time Commitment : June 16 - August 8, 2025, 25 hours/week, for a total of 200 hours. Mandatory orientation takes place June 16th and 17th. Specific shift days and hours are dependent on the internship project for which the candidate is selected, but generally fall between 8am - 5pm on weekdays.
The Ideal Candidate Is:
• Exploring science, conservation, or zoo careers;
• Eager to learn and ready to contribute to their intern cohort; and
• Interested in creating a just and sustainable world where people and wildlife thrive, together.
CONSERVATION
The candidate should be familiar with the Zoo’s Conservation Strategic Plan, which guides its conservation efforts and expands its positive impact over the next five years. Key to this CSP is an increasing focus on local conservation projects that engage our community members, improve native biodiversity, and help meet the goals of local stakeholders in Los Angeles.
Conservation Peer Leaders will help interns design and implement their summer projects that will add to the data to support restoration around the Zoo. Additionally, they will support interns in synthesizing data and creating their research posters to present at the final poster session.
This internship will provide opportunities to:
• Build upon their previous internship experience(s) by gaining additional experience in zoo and conservation fields and refine their data collection, research, and analysis skills; and
• Improve communication skills, including the ability to give and receive feedback; and
• Develop leadership skills necessary for coaching peer success.
Position Expectations:
• Provide guidance and support to first-year interns and serve as a liaison with Zoo mentors;
• Support new interns who are learning introductory conservation and research skills through role-modeling and coaching;
• Meet regularly with Zoo mentors to prepare for each week’s instructional materials;
• Travel over uneven terrain up to 4 miles per day, sometimes transporting up to 15 pounds of supplies in varied weather conditions; and
• Available Tuesdays - Fridays from June 16th - August 8th between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
VISITOR ENGAGEMENT
The candidate should be familiar with the Learning & Engagement (L&E) Division’s mission, fostering lasting relationships between our communities, nature, and animals. They should feel comfortable facilitating conversations and delivering informal programming for general Zoo visitors.
The Visitor Engagement Peer Leader will work with Zoo staff to design and implement on-grounds summer engagement opportunities. Additionally, they will support the first-year interns in developing public communication skills, foster a sense of belonging, and assist on-grounds as needed.
This internship will provide opportunities to:
• Build upon their previous internship experience(s) by gaining additional experience in zoo and environmental education fields and refine their public communication skills;
• Enhance skills in interpersonal communication skills, and develop skills in leadership and mentoring; and
• Gain experience working with diverse audiences.
Position Expectations:
• Provide guidance and support to first-year interns and serve as a liaison with Zoo mentors;
• Support new interns who are learning introductory public communications skills through role-modeling and coaching;
• Meet regularly with Zoo mentors to prepare for each week’s instructional and engagement materials;
• Able to move over uneven terrain and be stationed on Zoo grounds or in our communities for extended periods of time;
• Travel over uneven terrain up to 4 miles per day, sometimes transporting up to 15 pounds of supplies in varied weather conditions; and
• Available Tuesdays - Fridays from June 16th - August 8th between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
How to apply
This is an intermediate-level internship for college students interested in pursuing science, conservation, and zoo careers. Instead of the traditional cover letter and resume, we ask that applicants respond to a Community Contribution prompt:
Interns in our program come from all over Los Angeles, each bringing unique perspectives, skills, and experiences. As a Peer Leader, how do you plan to support first-year interns? How will your prior experience, interests, or leadership skills support the group?
The response to the Community Contribution prompt may be submitted in any of the following format:
o Essay (maximum of 500 words); or
o Video (maximum of 5 minutes); or
o Audio recording (maximum of 5 minutes)
Your application MUST include:
• The completed Los Angeles Zoo Application (click the link and download for a fillable form)
• A single written, audio, or video response to the Community Contribution prompt; and
• Official or unofficial school, college, or university transcripts showing enrollment in the Spring 2025 quarter / semester and completion of sophomore year by June 16, 2025.
To apply, please submit your application materials to: lazoo.personnel@lacity.org . The subject line must include “PEER LEADER 2025 - YOUR NAME ”
Application Deadline : Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Note : 2025 program subject to funding availability.
Summer Jobs
Closing Date/Time: 3/30/25 -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
-
-
City of Los Angeles
Show moreLos Angeles is the second largest city in the United States and has a multi-ethnic population of
approximately four million. It is truly a world-class city that offers a diversified economy and an unparalleled quality of life. Los Angeles continues to maintain its position as an economic power-
house, the entertainment capital of the world, and a major trendsetter in virtually every field of human endeavor.Los Angeles is a charter city and is governed by a Mayor and City Council. The City Council serves
full time and has fifteen members elected by district for four-year terms. Boards of Commissioners, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council, oversee several
of the City’s departments and bureaus.The City has 44 departments, bureaus, and offices for which funds are budgeted annually by the
Mayor and City Council. Within those, the City has three departments (the Departments of Water &
Power, Harbor, and Airports) that are financed solely by revenue generated from their operations,
which are governed by Commissions, as well as two distinctly separate pension systems (Los
Angeles Fire & Police Pensions and the Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System). -