City Wildlife’s internship program offers college and graduate students the opportunity to play an important role in the care, rearing, and rehabilitation of orphaned and injured wild animals. Over the course of 10 to 12 weeks, City Wildlife interns have the opportunity to shadow our wildlife veterinarian and rehabilitation staff members and learn about the natural history and husbandry of the animals in our care.
Interns receive on-the-job training in customer service, human-wildlife conflict resolution, proper cleaning protocols, safe animal handling, proper husbandry and nutrition, species identification, enrichment, patient assessment, stabilization, and administering treatments. Hands-on labs and presentations provide further learning opportunities.
The center receives injured, orphaned, and displaced wildlife patients year-round. In the spring we get squirrel pups followed by baby birds. In the summer we get primarily baby songbirds, but also ducklings, opossum joeys, rabbit kits, and some squirrel pups towards the end of the season. Fall intakes consist of migratory birds and most of our raptor intakes. Sick and injured adult animals come in throughout the year.
The exact dates of an internship are flexible to accommodate students’ academic schedules. Shifts vary throughout the week and include time spent on animal care, veterinary care, and front desk shadow days. Shifts are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., except in the summer when our hours change to 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old at the start of the internship.
- Have a strong interest in wildlife rehabilitation.
- Be able to work 10 to 12 weeks.
Internship Terms:
- Must commit to work 20 to 40 hours per week for at least 10 consecutive weeks during the season. Shifts will include weekend hours.
- Internships are voluntary, interns do not get paid.
- Must have reliable transportation.
- Regular and punctual attendance required.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Dishes, laundry, mopping, and general cleaning,
- Preparation and maintenance of patient enclosures indoors and outdoors in any weather,
- Preparation of diets (includes dead prey and/or live insects),
- Timely hand-feeding of infant mammals (includes tube-feeding)
- Timely hand-feeding of different diets to baby birds of varying sizes,
- Calculation and preparation of medications on vet shadow days,
- Administration of daily oral, injected, and topical medications,
- Gavage-feeding and fluid administrations,
- Handling and restraining birds, small mammals, and raptors,
- Feeder insect care,
- Other tasks as assigned by staff members.
Qualifications:
- Have an interest in wildlife rehabilitation, conservation policy, or veterinary medicine,
- Be able to lift up to 30 pounds,
- Be able to work independently or as part of a team,
- Be able to work outdoors in all types of weather,
- Work efficiently and calmly under stressful conditions,
- Handle multiple responsibilities while following instructions and protocols,
- Work cooperatively and professionally with others.
The fall season runs from August – October. Applications for fall internships are due July 1.
Please submit completed internship applications with a cover letter, resume, and proof of coronavirus vaccination to Diana Fuentes, Animal Care Manager, via email to diana.fuentes@citywildlife.org.
