Join Our Team

Do You See Yourself Working or Volunteering In A Fun-Filled, Wild Environment?

Join our team at Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex which includes Turtle Back Zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, Mini Golf Safari & Paddle Boats!
All applications are now electronically submitted online. Learn more on how to apply below.

CURRENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Seasonal Job Offerings 2025

APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 1, 2025

Join us for the 2025 Season! Spring/ Summer availability. Essex County Turtle Back Zoo and the surrounding South Mountain Recreational Complex are looking for seasonal employees in a variety of areas for the 2025 season.

Specific Positions include:

Guest Relations (CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT INQUIRY FORM)

Paddle Boats
Mini Golf Safari
Treetop Adventure Course

Maintenance (email [email protected])

housekeeping
maintenance

Guest Experience Keeper (CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT INQUIRY FORM)

Aviary
Touch Tank
Farm
Pony Rides
Butterfly

Education (email [email protected])

Camp Counselor

Horticultural (CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT INQUIRY FORM)

Must be able to work outdoors for periods of time. All applicants must be 18 years of age or older and successfully pass a criminal background check.

AVAILABLE INTERNSHIPS

Pre-Veterinary Student Program

ACCEPTING APPLICANTS UNTIL : March 30, 2025

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo is home to a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital including a treatment area, sterile surgery suite, and laboratory, which provides care and housing for collection animals and quarantine animals.

The Barry H. Ostrowsky Animal Wellness Center is equipped with computed tomography, ultrasonography, digital radiography, endoscopy and in-house clinical pathology tools. Externs will have the opportunity to spend time participating in each of these functional areas while assisting with patient care for a diverse collection of species.

Duration:

Maximum of 1 day per week for 4 consecutive weeks. Longer periods may be available on a case-by-case basis.

Requirements:

Minimum of 18 years of age
Completion of high school level education
Preference will be given to individuals enrolled in collegiate study in a field of biological sciences, AND/OR those with a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in the veterinary field
Prior experience working in a veterinary or medical setting is preferred
Must pass a criminal background check

Compensation:

No compensation is available
Students are responsible for organizing their own housing and transportation
There is free parking on site

Application Process:

Applications are open annually February 1st through March 30th.

Please send the following documents:

Letter of intent, include proposed time frame and preferred day of the week

CV/Resume

Letter of recommendation from a professor or mentor

Application submission to:

Kailey Anderson, Kailey Anderson, DVM, Dipl. ACZM
[email protected]
Subject: Pre-Veterinary Program Submission

Final decisions will be announced April 30th following the close of the application period.

DOCENTS / VOLUNTEERS

Turtle Back Zoo Docent Program

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo has an exciting Docent program. Docents are specially trained volunteers who give educational talks, act as guides, and are stationed throughout the Zoo to provide information to visitors about the Zoo and its animals. Being a TBZ docent is an enriching, rewarding, and social experience. These are highly selective and prestigious positions. Class size is limited.

Training is offered once a year. THE 2025 PROGRAM IS CLOSED. Check back in November 2025 for the 2026 season.

Being a Docent requires you to:

Be at least 18 years old
Download, complete, and submit (via mail or email) a Docent Application
Complete an electronic request for a Criminal Background Check
Complete an in-person interview
Complete a specialized 8-day training course; instruction provided by experienced TBZ staff
Pay a one-time fee of $30 to cover training materials
Commit to volunteer a designated number of hours/events
Wear the docent uniform when working with the public (blue docent shirt & khaki pants or blue jeans and appropriate footwear)
Be a good representative and guide/educator to the visiting public

For more information, please contact the Zoo’s Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected].

VolunTEEN Program

TBZ’s VolunTEENs assist Camp Counselor staff with our Summer Camp program. They help prepare for the daily camp sessions, assist campers with activities, and help keep campers together and safe while on Zoo grounds. Working as a VolunTEEN is a great way to learn about animals at the zoo and share your love and enthusiasm for wildlife with younger peers. Not only is it a fun way to spend part of the summer, you will earn those much needed volunteer hours for upcoming college applications.

VolunTEENs must:

be at least 14 years old OR entering grade 9 in the fall of 2025; current freshmen, sophomores, & juniors are welcome too!
You must be able to volunteer at least 1 full week, Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm each day. Additional weeks may be available.
New VolunTEENs will be invited to an in-person interview as part of the application process
Attend a MANDATORY one-day training session.

How to Apply: Applications are electronic and will require 2 letters or recommendation from non-family members and 2 short essays (no more than a few paragraphs for each). The rec letters should address the following: dependability, leadership abilities, ability to work with others, willingness to learn, and self-motivation. The 2 essay questions are: “Why do zoos matter?” and “Why do you want to be a VolunTEEN?” Please have your rec letters and essays ready before starting the application. Once you submit the application, you will not be able to return to it.

Training is offered once a year. THE 2025 PROGRAM IS CLOSED. Check back in December 2025 for the 2026 season.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]