Seasonal animal care staff

Ready to work at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium? We're ready for you!

Find a variety of zoo jobs below, and plan to attend one of our upcoming job fairs! 

Year-Round Positions

Help guests having amazing experiences, work with the animals in our care, and more.

Apply Now

Seasonal Jobs

Spend your summer with us! Make memories, meet new friends, and gain experience in a variety of roles.

Apply Now

Food & retail

Check out retail, food, and catering roles with our partner, SSA Group.

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Volunteer

We offer 4 different ways to volunteer at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! Check out our programs for adults, teens, community groups and our Friends of the Columbus Zoo organization.

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Internships

Check out our animal care internship programs. We partner with several colleges and universities to meet your course requirements.

Apply Now

In High School?

Gain your Edge! High school students work toward the requirements of the OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal while growing as a professional in areas such as leadership, critical thinking, discipline, teamwork and more.

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Did we mention the awesome perks of being a team member here?

  • Free admission to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Zoombezi Bay
  • Discounts on golf and carts at Safari Golf Club
  • Discounts on food and merchandise at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Zoombezi Bay, The Wilds and Safari Golf Club
  • Team member appreciation events throughout the year
  • From Memorial Day to Labor Day, take COTA's Zoo Bus to work
  • Discounts from local restaurants and businesses

staff member feeding giraffe


 

Celebrating diversity in all living things.

At the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, The Wilds, Zoombezi Bay, and Safari Golf Club, we understand the importance of diversity, human, animal, or otherwise. And it's an understanding that compels us to create a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive environment for our guests and team members.

We encourage our team to be creative, bold, and innovative in their thinking, to serve as a source of community pride, and to celebrate our institution's position as one of the leading zoos in the country.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, our family of properties does not discriminate in hiring or terms and conditions because of an individual's race, creed, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability or national origin. Our family of properties only hires individuals authorized for employment in the United States.

Empowering People. Saving Wildlife. 

 

Humboldt penguin

 

girl with parrot

RISE Scholarship

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is proud to offer paid internships through the RISE Scholarship. The program provides underrepresented groups exposure to potential careers in animal care, guest services and mission-driven careers. We hope to inspire these students to join the zoological profession and better reflect the communities we serve.

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Join the Pack!

Welcome to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, located in the heart of Ohio – where we're all about our mission: Empowering People. Saving Wildlife. 

No matter your role at the Zoo, you'll be a crucial part of the big picture. Being a Zoo team member is not just a job... but a cool way to make a difference.

Ready to dive into a world of adventure and impact? Let's do this!