Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.

Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

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.

The Sharon Audubon Center has a paid internship opportunity designed to provide an intern, who has a demonstrated interest in conservation, the natural world, and wildlife medicine, the ability to learn about native Connecticut animal species in a hands-on, rehabilitation clinic setting with sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife. The Wildlife Rehabilitation Program centers primarily on birds, including songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl, as well as small numbers of native reptiles and mammals.

Topics that will be focused on are species identification, natural history, behavior, proper husbandry, enrichment techniques, animal handling, pre-release evaluation, record keeping, volunteer management and training, networking with fellow rehabilitators and veterinarians, as well as basic and intermediate medical skills including tube-feeding, medication administration, fluid therapy, physical examinations, wound management, bandaging and splinting, basic lab work and more.

This is a high- intensity position requiring the person to work efficiently at a fast pace. This position will require the intern to be standing for long 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 ever-changing atmosphere of a wildlife rehabilitation clinic.

This is an onsite role based in out of the Sharon Audubon Center, in Sharon, CT.

Onsite housing is provided and is required for this position.

Please submit a cover letter along with your resume.

Compensation:

$15.00 / hour

Intern Responsibilities and Learning Objectives

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 their 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.
• Identify proper release criteria.
• Lead the five-day long teen rehabilitation internship program (trip) summer camp (including developing content and schedule).

Interns will gain experience and knowledge in the following:

• Assisting with volunteer supervision and training,
• Contribute to our development of Standard Operating Procedures and contribute to the Sharon Audubon Center’s multiple social media platforms.
• The intern may assist in educational programming with resident educational animals if needed.
• The intern will be working under the Wildlife Rehabilitator and Outreach Specialist at the Sharon Audubon Center, working alongside, training supervising volunteers and at times working self-guided.

Intern Schedule:
This internship is being offered for 16.5 weeks at 35 hours per week. The daily schedule may include day and evening shifts.

Projected Start Date:
Our summer internship is expected to run from May 22, 2023 – September 14, 2023.

• Undergraduate degree or currently majoring in natural science, veterinary clinic experience or other science-related field required.
• Excellent work ethic, enthusiasm, commitment, flexibility, initiative, a desire to learn required. Must be a team player.
• Must be a "go-getter" able to make decisions when working independently and work graciously with others.
• Must have a sense of humor.
• Must have a reliable form of transportation to report to the Center.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to be on your feet for many hours and engage in consistent physical activities.
• Experience using social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram
• Prior experience with handling wildlife and/or animal medicine is highly desirable.

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users.  If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.