Employment Opportunities
Paid Positions:
Planned Giving/Major Gifts Coordinator
Scope
Under the supervision and direction of the Executive Director, this position is responsible for major fundraising efforts for the zoo. This includes annual appeals, major gift solicitation, corporate and foundation giving, grant writing, endowment/planned giving and donor relations. There is accountability with respect to financial goals, donor recruitment and donor retention.
Essential Job Functions
- Implements and manages the successful outcome of the zoo's annual giving campaigns
- Performs detailed analysis and creates informational reports for dissemination and use in maximizing the zoo's resources
- Oversees the production and organization of campaign materials and data to maximize "segmented appeals"
- Develops a detailed action plan for all major development activities, including revenue and expense budgets
- Researches and writes proposals for all major gifts and grants with the Executive Director
- Works closely with the Executive Director, identified board committees and other staff ensuring positive, seamless coordination and communication to maximize outcomes
Minimum Requirements
- BA degree and one year of non-profit development experience OR at least five years of upward professional fund development experience with demonstrated six-figure annual results
- Experience in/familiarity with general accounting
- Ability to influence, educate and negotiate in a professional, results driven manner
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills, presentation skills, and follow-through skills
Please send cover letter and resume to:
Steven D. Contento, Director
Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park
185 Park Ave
Binghamton, NY 13903
or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Unpaid Internships:
Education Assistant Intern:
Duties include:
- Supervising the Jr. Docent Program (summer internship only)
- Researching program and animal information
- Help out with fundraising and special events
- Assist with onsite education programs
- Artifact tables
- Exhibit spotlights
- Animal spotlights
- Interns will receive limited animal handling training with the animals in our education collection
Opportunities are available to gain insight into educational planning and program development. Students are expected to assist with researching information, scheduling, and assist with other office work as necessary. Good verbal and interpersonal communication skills are a must due to involvement with the public. Applicants are preferred to have a background in an animal related field such as: biology, ecology, or conservation. Education is also an acceptable background for this internship.
Three sessions are offered per year.
- Spring session: February 4, 2013 - May 10, 2013
- Summer session (Jr. Docent program): May 27, 2013 - August 23, 2013*
- Summer session (Jr. Docent program): May 27, 2013 - August 23, 2013*
- Fall session: September 9, 2013 - December 13, 2013
*Interns are encouraged to stay through September until Jr. Docents go back to school
Requirements for application: Please email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Cover letter indicating reasons for interest in an internship at the zoo
- Resume indicating educational and employment experiences
- Two letters of reference. If you are a student, one of these must be from a professor in the related field
- A brief interview with Education Staff
- Applications are due no later than one month prior to the start of the session you are applying for
Average hours per week: We are currently offering part-time and full-time intern positions depending on your schedule. Some special events and weekends may be required.
Hours of operation: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm (summer season), 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (winter)
Internships at the Binghamton Zoo are unpaid
Intern advisor: Melissa Grippin
Phone: 607-724-5461 ext. 235
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
*Interns are encouraged to stay through September until Jr. Docents go back to school
Requirements for application: Please email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Cover letter indicating reasons for interest in an internship at the zoo
- Resume indicating educational and employment experiences
- Two letters of reference. If you are a student, one of these must be from a professor in the related field
- A brief interview with Education Staff
- Applications are due no later than one month prior to the start of the session you are applying for
Average hours per week: We are currently offering part-time and full-time intern positions depending on your schedule. Some special events and weekends may be required.
Hours of operation: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm (summer season), 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (winter)
Internships at the Binghamton Zoo are unpaid
Intern advisor: Melissa Grippin
Phone: 607-724-5461 ext. 235
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Development & Special Events Assistant Intern:
Duties include:
- Seeking out and contacting potential sponsors
- Contacting members, special event participants, etc.
- Maintain membership and animal adoption databases, including issuing cards to new members and sending out animal adoption packages
- Research new fundraising opportunities
- Helping to plan, organize, and run special events
- Participate in on and off-site marketing efforts
- Research and develop new marketing campaigns and ideas
- Interns may have the opportunity to get involved with the zoo's social media efforts and other marketing tasks
- Help out with Education Department when needed
Opportunities are available to gain insight into development of the zoo and its' special events. Interns will be directly involved in all aspects of special events including planning, organizing, running, and clean up. Good verbal and interpersonal communication skills are a must to involvement with the public. Applicants with prior event planning, sales, or marketing experience are preferred.
Three sessions offered per year.
- Spring session: February 4, 2013 - May 10, 2013
- Summer session: May 27, 2013 - August 23, 2013*
- Fall session: September 9, 2013 - December 13, 2013
*Interns are encouraged to stay through September to help with our annual Zoo Brew event
Requirements for application: Please email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Cover letter indicating reasons for interest in an internship at the zoo
- Resume indicating educational and employment experiences
- Two letters of reference. If you are a student, one of these must come from a professor in the related field
- A brief interview with the Development Staff
- Applications are due no later than one month prior to the start of the session you are applying for
Average hours per week: We are currently offering part-time and full-time intern positions depending on your schedule. Some weekends and special event days will be required.
Hours of operation: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Internships at the Binghamton Zoo are unpaid
Intern advisor: Melissa Grippin
Phone: 607-724-5461 ext. 235
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Zoo School Intern:
Duties include:
- Assisting with the zoo's camp program by helping run games, crafts, and other activities
- Interns will help to create and run new programs
- Interns will be working with a wide range of children (preschool through high school aged)
- Interns will be responsible for creating and running a game or activity during the summer
- Interns will occasionally be responsible for the class while the instructor is occupied
Applicants are preferred to have experience working with groups of children of varying ages. This position is great for those interested in a career working with children in a relaxed classroom setting. Interns must be 18 years of age or older. First Aid and CPR training is a plus.
Only one session is currently offered a year.
- May 27, 2013 - August 30, 2013
Requirements for application: Please email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Cover letter indicating reasons for interest in an internship at the zoo
- Resume indicating education and employment experiences
- Two letters of reference. If you are a student, one letter must come from a professor in the related field
- A brief interview with the Education Staff
- Applications are due no later than one month prior to the start of the session you are applying for
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Average hours per week: 24 hours or 3 days a week
Internships at the Binghamton Zoo are unpaid
Intern advisor: Melissa Grippin
Phone: 607-724-5461 ext. 235
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Animal Care Intern:
Duties include:
- 240 hours on-site
- Student can complete 240 hours working 5 days a week for 6 weeks or 2-3 days a week over a 14 week period
- Participation in keeper classes
- Complete an enrichment project
- Complet a keeper talk
Interns are rotated throughout all areas of the zoo and will gain experience working with a variety of species. Students spend the majority of their day working alongside the keeper in the area to complete daily husbandry tasks such as cleaning, diet prep and enrichment of the animals. They will also have the opportunity to observe operant conditioning sessions and observe on vet rounds. The keeper classes will be offered throughout the semester based on both intern and keeper schedules. Classes are roughly an hour in length and serve to broaden the experience for the intern. Topics range from nutrition to exhibit design. In addition, interns will need to complete an enrichment project by the end of their internship. They will also conduct a brief keeper talk to the public when an internship overlaps our open season.
Interested students should be working at a labor intensive position in all weather conditions. At this time interns are not provided a stipend or housing. Interns need to be 18 years of age and preferably enrolled in a college program for Biology, Zoology, Animal Management or related field. Interns will also need to show proof of a negative TB test that is less than one year old.
Dates available:
- Spring session: deadline for applicants is November 10, interviews throughout November/December
- Internship will run from January - April/May
- Summer session: deadline for applicants is April 7, interviews throughout April/May
- Internship will run from May - August
- Fall session: deadline for applicants is July 31, interviews throughout August
- Intership will run from September - December
- Winter session: deadline for applicants is December 1, interviews throughout December
- Internship will run from the end of December - January
- This is the shortest time frame for an internship, so students should be aware that they will need to put in a lot of time within a few weeks.
Requirements for application: Please email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Interested students should send a cover letter explaining their interests, requested time frame for an internship and relevant experience along with a resume to Maria DeSisto.
Intern advisor: Maria Desisto
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Summer session: May 27, 2013 - August 23, 2013*
- Fall session: September 9, 2013 - December 13, 2013
*Interns are encouraged to stay through September to help with our annual Zoo Brew event
Requirements for application: Please email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Cover letter indicating reasons for interest in an internship at the zoo
- Resume indicating educational and employment experiences
- Two letters of reference. If you are a student, one of these must come from a professor in the related field
- A brief interview with the Development Staff
- Applications are due no later than one month prior to the start of the session you are applying for
Average hours per week: We are currently offering part-time and full-time intern positions depending on your schedule. Some weekends and special event days will be required.
Hours of operation: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Internships at the Binghamton Zoo are unpaid
Intern advisor: Melissa Grippin
Phone: 607-724-5461 ext. 235
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Zoo School Intern:
Duties include:
- Assisting with the zoo's camp program by helping run games, crafts, and other activities
- Interns will help to create and run new programs
- Interns will be working with a wide range of children (preschool through high school aged)
- Interns will be responsible for creating and running a game or activity during the summer
- Interns will occasionally be responsible for the class while the instructor is occupied
Applicants are preferred to have experience working with groups of children of varying ages. This position is great for those interested in a career working with children in a relaxed classroom setting. Interns must be 18 years of age or older. First Aid and CPR training is a plus.
Only one session is currently offered a year.
- May 27, 2013 - August 30, 2013
Requirements for application: Please email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Cover letter indicating reasons for interest in an internship at the zoo
- Resume indicating education and employment experiences
- Two letters of reference. If you are a student, one letter must come from a professor in the related field
- A brief interview with the Education Staff
- Applications are due no later than one month prior to the start of the session you are applying for
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Average hours per week: 24 hours or 3 days a week
Internships at the Binghamton Zoo are unpaid
Intern advisor: Melissa Grippin
Phone: 607-724-5461 ext. 235
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Animal Care Intern:
Duties include:
- 240 hours on-site
- Student can complete 240 hours working 5 days a week for 6 weeks or 2-3 days a week over a 14 week period
- Participation in keeper classes
- Complete an enrichment project
- Complet a keeper talk
Interns are rotated throughout all areas of the zoo and will gain experience working with a variety of species. Students spend the majority of their day working alongside the keeper in the area to complete daily husbandry tasks such as cleaning, diet prep and enrichment of the animals. They will also have the opportunity to observe operant conditioning sessions and observe on vet rounds. The keeper classes will be offered throughout the semester based on both intern and keeper schedules. Classes are roughly an hour in length and serve to broaden the experience for the intern. Topics range from nutrition to exhibit design. In addition, interns will need to complete an enrichment project by the end of their internship. They will also conduct a brief keeper talk to the public when an internship overlaps our open season.
Interested students should be working at a labor intensive position in all weather conditions. At this time interns are not provided a stipend or housing. Interns need to be 18 years of age and preferably enrolled in a college program for Biology, Zoology, Animal Management or related field. Interns will also need to show proof of a negative TB test that is less than one year old.
Dates available:
- Spring session: deadline for applicants is November 10, interviews throughout November/December
- Internship will run from January - April/May
- Summer session: deadline for applicants is April 7, interviews throughout April/May
- Internship will run from May - August
- Fall session: deadline for applicants is July 31, interviews throughout August
- Intership will run from September - December
- Winter session: deadline for applicants is December 1, interviews throughout December
- Internship will run from the end of December - January
- This is the shortest time frame for an internship, so students should be aware that they will need to put in a lot of time within a few weeks.
Requirements for application: Please email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Interested students should send a cover letter explaining their interests, requested time frame for an internship and relevant experience along with a resume to Maria DeSisto.
Intern advisor: Maria Desisto
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Animal Spotlight
