Six-month wildlife rehabilitation internship

WILDLIFE REHABILITATION INTERN-The Wildlife Center of Virginia is a non-profit hospital for wildlife, with the mission of teaching the world to care about and to care for wildlife and the environment. Since its founding in 1982, the Wildlife Center has treated more than 53,000 patients representing more than 200 species. An average of 2,500 patients are treated per year, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. The Wildlife Center is one of the leading teaching hospitals in the country and trains students from around the world in wildlife medicine and rehabilitation. The Wildlife Center is offering a new six-month wildlife rehabilitation internship beginning 1 Feb 2010 and running through 31 Jul. This intern will gain intensive, hands-on experience and training in the field of wildlife rehabilitation, focusing on animal nutrition, husbandry, feeding techniques, capture and restraint methods, and release criteria; the intern will also receive wildlife hotline training (responding to inquiries about wildlife from the general public). The intern will gain and expand leadership qualities by training and mentoring new volunteers and preceptorship students. The intern will be trained and directly supervised by two staff wildlife rehabilitators as well as the rehabilitation supervisor. As part of the rehabilitation team: Provide excellent rehabilitative care to all animals at the facility: 1. Daily cleaning and feeding of all animals housed at the facility; 2. Assist with evaluating patients for release. Monitor patient's health, attitude, appetite, etc., and maintain written records of each animal's progress. Report evaluations to veterinarians and participate in daily clinical rounds with veterinary staff to discuss medical cases; 3. Exercise all flighted patients daily and record progress in patient record; 4. Assist with restraint, examination, diagnostic procedures and treatment of animals, as needed; 5. Admit patients and complete associated paperwork. May also examine and initiate first aid to patients or new arrivals in the absence of the veterinarian or technician, within constraints of training and experience; 6. Must be able to handle emotional aspects of euthanasia; may need to euthanize animals under supervision of veterinarians; 7. Maintain high standards of cleanliness in hospital, kitchen and animal housing areas. Participate in Training: 1. With other staff, train and mentor animal care volunteers and eight-week preceptor (intern) students; 2. Assist with teaching rehabilitation/caretaking protocols to veterinary and veterinary technician students; 3. Assist in creation of a collection of photographs of mammals and birds for classes, workshops and educational/promotional materials. Other Duties: 1. Daily and seasonal maintenance of cages, grounds, perches, etc. Recognize and correct any maintenance or safety hazards when possible. Report other problems to veterinary staff or office manager. 2. Research a topic related to wildlife rehabilitation and present information to staff through a written paper upon completion of internship. Paper may be submitted for publication in a wildlife rehabilitation journal. 3. Maintain inventory of animal food and cleaning supplies. 4. Take carcasses to the incinerator, as needed. 5. Other duties, responsibilities, and special projects, as requested. Requirements ** At least two years of college or prior work experience. ** Must have pre-exposure rabies vaccination. ** Must have a valid driver's license. ** Intern will be scheduled to work five days a week with two consecutive days off during the week. Weekend work is required. A typical day consists of working at least 10 hours [9 am to 7 pm]. ** Demonstrated ability to handle diverse, competing tasks independently, efficiently, and accurately; flexibility is a must. ** Must be even-tempered and diplomatic. ** Demonstrated reliability and dependability; willingness to work on weekends and holidays. ** Ability to organize, set goals, and meet deadlines; attention to detail. ** Team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills. ** Ability to work independently and as part of a team. ** Professional appearance and demeanor; ability to interact and communicate with the public, law enforcement, veterinarians and others. ** Ability to lift/carry equipment and animals up to 50 pounds. ** Previous wildlife experience preferred, but not required. Compensation **This is an unpaid internship; however, intern will receive a $400/month stipend for food and other living expenses. **Housing is provided at Wildlife Center's student house in Waynesboro, VA. Rooms are shared and intern is expected to take part in cleaning the house with other occupants. **Wildlife Center will provide vehicles for work-related trips. TO APPLY: Please mail or email cover letter, résumé, and two letters of recommendation to: Rehabilitation Supervisor, Wildlife Center of Virginia, Post Office Box 1557, Waynesboro, VA 22980 (EM: outreach AT wildlifecenter.org). Application deadline is 15 Dec 2009.