• Interested in a volunteer training opportunity to gain the skills required to work with critically endangered species in a conservation focused Zoo.

      carrying buckets
      Am I eligible to apply?

      Applicants must be over 18 years and studying or have completed their studies in a relevant subject (degree or diploma level) and/or can demonstrate their passion for working in a zoo or conservation environment. For our field programme internship (with red-billed choughs), you must be over the age of 21 years and have held a driving license for a minimum of 6 months.


      Where can I train?

      Interns can train in any of the departments listed below. Click on the files below to read more about what training you might receive in that department and who this placement would suit. Please be aware that many of the departments can only accept one student at a time, so although we try and cater for everyone's first choice of department, this may not always be possible.


    • Bird Intern role description File
    • Mammal Intern role description File
    • Herpetology Intern role description File
    • Learning/Education Intern role description File
    • Red billed Chough Field and Bird Internship File

    • Hear from our graduates about their internship experience

          

        

      Watch a video of A Day in the Life of an Intern

         
         

    • Click here to read more Intern Testimonials Interactive Content

    • Sounds great, when can I start?

      Internship training posts are filled a year in advance, so all positions until June 2026 are currently filled. Applications for the next cohort will open in Autumn 2025. Keep an eye on our Home page of our Durrell Conservation Academy Facebook Page for any announcements of slots opening up during the year.

      The next available internships will be June 2026 -August 2027

      Applications open 1st September 2025 and closes 1st December 2025


      How long can my placement be?

      The minimum requirement for placement is 6 months and the longest 12 month in length. Longer placements typically start between July - December, 6 month placement typically take start Dec-March but this can vary. Short placements (6-8 months in length) will take place in one department, applicants on placements longer than 9 months will experience working on two different departments. Placements for all departments except the Learning Department* are available throughout the year * internships on the Learning Department are only available for 6 months between March-Sept 2025. Applicants must commit to a minimum of 6 months placement, although shorter 4-6 month placements become available adhoc. 


      Will I be paid?cleaning lemurs
      Unfortunately no, as Jersey Zoo is a charity our internship training programme is unpaid. Interns will be provided with a uniform and offered free bus travel to the zoo and a free lunch pass to eat lunch at our Cafe Dodo for the duration of their internship. As well as hand on experience, the interns will be provided with a lecture each month given by experts in their fields. Interns must be prepared to cover all other food, travel and accommodation costs for the duration of their placement. Unfortunately we do not offer scholarships for our Zoo Internships but students can use funding (e.g. ERASMUS) to cover their costs.

      Do you provide accommodation?

      We do not provide accommodation, so Interns must arrange this for themselves. As Jersey is a costly island to live, we provide a list of affordable places in family homes that are commonly used by Interns each year. The approximate cost of this accommodation is £90-£130/week, which is significantly cheaper than the prices on the Jersey open market. Interns must confirm at interview that they are capable of paying these costs for the duration of the placement for which they have applied. Interns are responsible for arranging this accommodation with the providers themselves and to  source their own alternatives if they are full up, or not to their liking.


      Can I carry out a research project as part of an industry placement?

      Yes, we are a research focused organisation and welcome requests to carry out short projects during your placement. Projects will be assigned by Dr Simon Tollington, Conservation Science Manager, DWCT, in agreement with the intern when they are on placement and this research can be carried out in tandem with the interns time on the animal departments. These vary according to season and cannot be arranged ahead of time. If you are interested in carrying our Research outside of an Internship Placement as part of BSc, MSc or PhD , please check out the Research placement tab above

    • How to apply for the next intern cohort?

      The application form form for June 2026 - August 2027 Internship cohort will open from 1st September 2025 and all applications must be in before the 1st December 2025.  Applications after this date will not be accepted.

      Our Internship programme is very popular and their are limited places available. Therefore we have an application process that ensures those that will benefit most from the training receive the opportunity, whilst ensuring that the training we offer is right for the applicant as well. There a couple of steps in this process

      Step 1 Complete the Applications form by complete this form . If you are unable to use the form, then please email your answers using the same format of questions to academy@durrell.org. A PDF of the List of the questions can be found below the embedded form, if you want to start preparing them before you apply. Some applicants will also be asked to supply their CV before the end of December to support their application.

      Step 2 Candidates through to second stage will be approached in early January to arrange an online informal interview (due to high numbers of applicant we will not be contacting unsuccessful candidates with personalised feedback at this stage)

      Step 3 Successful applicants will be offered internship places in early February (and earlier if this is required by University or ERASMUS applications) 

      We look forward to receiving your application, and wish you the best of luck with your application!


    • List of Internship Application Questions File