Aullwood Audubon is an education center and farm devoted to enriching lives through education and stewardship of birds and ecosystems. The Animal Care internship provides training and support as interns learn and apply new skills and knowledge that relate to caring for of a wide variety of animals in a public farm setting.
Dates of Employment: February 3 – August 14, 2020
Areas of Responsibility:
Animal Care interns typically work 35 hours a week and are paid an hourly wage. Duties primarily take place during the weekday and on weekends, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and include some evenings.
During the internship interns will:
- Be trained to correctly perform daily and weekly farm chores taking care of cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, goats, etc. Responsibilities include morning and afternoon feedings, stall cleaning and providing enrichment activities for the animals.
- Help maintain pristine living quarters for all animals by cleaning stalls, maintaining barns, weed-whacking and helping with the overall upkeep of the farm.
- Learn how to maintain a safe, secure, healthy and humane environment for all animals.
- Assist with maintaining and keeping detailed animal care records.
- Assist the Large Animal Veterinarian Tech with planning an educational garden, planting fruits, vegetables and flowers that are safe for consumption by various farm animals.
- Water, prune, deadhead plants, weed, mulch, fertilize, mow, propagate plants, and conduct integrated pest management in the educational garden.
- Learn how to and effectively teach youth on school field trips, mainly pre-school to middle school ages. There may also be occasions interns teach high school and adults groups. Teaching topics may include farm discovery, maple syrup and general nature or farm exploration. Activities may include interpretation of nature and farm communities, nature hikes, animal interpretation, etc.
- Learn how to develop lesson plans and teach Summer Earth Adventures classes (day camps) for children age 2 years old through 7th grade with a focus on natural history and farming. Activities may include nature hikes, pond/creek exploration, farm chores, working with animals, gardening and more.
- Assist with special events such as the Pancake Brunch, Native Plant Sale, Farm Babies Festival and other special events as assigned.
- Learn how to greet visitors, take admission for Aullwood property, answer phone calls and operate the front desk.
- Assist with various assigned projects throughout the internship.
- Help support day to day operations of Aullwood Audubon.
- Reside in on-site housing provided by Audubon.
Internship Benefits:
- Animal husbandry of different domestic animals and their uses.
- Independent planning and execution of specific tasks.
- Gain valuable work experience and develop and refine professional skills.
- Networking opportunities with environmental professionals.
- Experience teaching and public speaking to groups of all ages.
- Learn Ohio natural history.
- Valuable carpentry and mechanical maintenance skills.
Educational Background:
Have completed freshman year of college majoring in Agriculture Management, Animal Behavior, Animal Biology, Animal Science, Veterinary Sciences, Zoology or a related field.
Skills/Experience:
- Ability to commit to working the span of the intern session.
- Experience working with farm animals is preferred.
- Willingness to work with all types of animals (large and small), as well as perform tasks for their care such as cleaning stalls of bedding and manure.
- Willingness to work off-hours or after-hours in order to care for sick, pregnant/baby animals or respond to an emergency.
- Be self-motivated, able to follow directions, work independently and have exceptional interpersonal skills.
- Excellent ability to communicate and interact with the general public.
- A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
- Must be able to sit, stand, kneel, stoop, grab and reach on uneven work surfaces for extended periods of time.
- Ability to transport oneself by foot over a variety of terrain that may be wet, slippery uneven or rocky.
- Capable of regular lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs. for short periods of time.
- Ability and willingness to work outside in all weather conditions.
- Interns are required to reside in on-site housing provided by Audubon as a condition of employment. Living onsite will afford the opportunity to develop first-hand understanding of the operations of the Nature Center and Farm. Interns are not charged rent to live in the intern house and utilities are covered by Aullwood. The intern house is fully furnished and is located by the Nature Center.
- It is strongly recommended to have your own vehicle.
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Oct 20 2019
Active Until:
Nov 20 2019
Hiring Organization:
National Audubon Society
industry:
Nonprofit