Audubon’s Wings internship program invites students and recent graduates to help shape a healthy environment and vibrant future for birds – and all of us who share the planet with them.
Audubon Sharon has a paid internship opportunity designed to provide an intern, who has a demonstrated interest in conservation, the natural world and wildlife rehabilitation, the ability to learn about species identification, natural history, behavior, proper husbandry and enrichment techniques, animal handling, tube-feeding, medication administration, lab work, pre-release evaluation and various other procedures. This is a high intensity position requiring the individual to work efficiently at a fast pace. This position will require the intern to be standing for periods, to engage in constant physical activities such as enclosure cleaning, in repetitive activities such as baby bird feeding and have the ability to be flexible in an the ever changing atmosphere of a wildlife rehabilitation clinic.
This internship is being offered for 2.5 months at 35 hours per week. Our summer internship is expected to begin mid-June through mid-August, with the possibility of extension or earlier start date dependant on available funds.
Onsite housing is provided and required for this position.
The internship will give the intern an opportunity to interact with and learn from experts in the field.
At the culmination of the internship the intern will be able to:
- professionally and efficiently interface with the public during admitting patients, rescues and fielding phone calls
- correctly identify common native bird species
- demonstrate his/her ability to assess physical conditions upon examination and treat many of the common injuries presented in wildlife such as broken bones, head trauma, emaciation and cat bites as well as raising orphaned young birds
- understand the anatomy and physiology of birds
- correctly calculate and administer fluid therapy and medications
- triage in emergency situations
- properly handle and restrain patients
- understand the physiological response of stress in wildlife patients
- identify and develop proper husbandry plans for the variety of species admitted into care based on the natural history of the animal
- intentify proper release criteria
Additional involvements of the intern will be (but are not limited to) assisting with volunteer supervision and management, contributing to our development of Standard Operating Procedures, contributing to Audubon Sharon's multiple social media platforms and assisting with the five-day long Teen Rehabilitation Internship Program (TRIP) summer camp.
The intern will be working under the Wildlife Rehabilitator and Outreach Specialist at Audubon Sharon, working alongside, training supervising volunteers and at times working independently.
- 18 years of age or older and must have own transportation.
- Strong work ethic, enthusiasm, commitment, flexibility, a desire to learn required. Must be a team player.
- Must have a sense of humor.
- Ability to lift 50 lbs.
- Ability to be on your feet for many hours and engange in consistent physical activities
- Experience using social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram
- Prior experience with handling wildlife and/or in animal medicine is highly desirable.