Intern with wild animals at Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network

Job Description

Job Title: Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship
Stipend: University credit (Must be determined with your department) or a stipend during the Summer Internship
Department: Animal Care
Position start time: Start of quarter or semester
Position end time: End of quarter or semester based on start date and subject to completion of requirements
Description: SBWCN seeks wildlife rehabilitation interns who are passionate about wildlife and are fueled by a desire to save lives. Interns will learn and practice all aspects of animal husbandry for wildlife that are sick, injured, orphaned, or oil-impaired and basic veterinary care. Although wildlife rehabilitation interns will sometimes interact with the veterinary team, this is not a veterinary internship.

The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network is a nonprofit organization that has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing wildlife in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties for over 30 years. It is the mission of our organization and our professional wildlife care staff to give wild animals in need a second chance at life.

Our organization provides an essential service through the pandemic. We remain open and operational. The policies we have in place are based on current CDC and Santa Barbara County of Public Health recommendations and are subject to change. Applicants must be able to show proof of vaccination as well as follow CDC recommendations in their daily lives and SBWCN Covid Protocols at the Wildlife Care Center.

Time Requirement:
The internship requires a minimum of 120 hours in the fall, winter, and spring. In the fall, winter, and spring, interns are here for three 5-hour shifts throughout their term, ending the week before finals. In the summer the internship is a full time 40hr/week time commitment.
Both the hourly and weekly requirements must be achieved before the internship can be considered complete;
The internship is not to exceed more than 1 week post-finals.
One academic quarter or semester commitment required. Longer internships are available as well as a summer intensive internship. Priority will be given to students able to intern for a longer term or multi-term during our busiest season (April-September)
Must be able to start the first day/week of classes and end the week before finals.

Schedule Requirements:

15 hours per week time commitment
Shifts will be 5 hours long
One weekend shift per week is a major plus
You will be working on-site at the Wildlife Care Center in Goleta, CA

Internship Requirements:

Must be comfortable working with animals (including the less glamorous parts)
Must have reliable transportation to center on 1460 N Fairview Ave in Goleta, CA
Must be located locally (NOTE: we cannot provide housing)
Must be an adaptable self-starter who is not afraid to work with both animals and people
Must be 18 years of age or older
Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 pounds
Must be able to stand on one’s feet for extended time periods +
Must be comfortable with being exposed to harsh odors

Responsibilities:

Daily cleaning duties (laundry, dishes, cage cleaning) to keep the Center running efficiently
Assist in daily animal husbandry tasks, feedings, enclosure maintenance, etc.
Assist in initial exams for new patients and recheck exams for patients currently in care
Learn and implement knowledge of injuries and illnesses
Interact with citizens who bring in animals for intake
Answer questions from the public about wildlife

Reports To: Volunteer Director, Naomi Tripp, and Animal Care Leads

How To Apply:
Step 1: Fill out a volunteer/intern application at http://www.sbwcn.org/volunteer
Step 2: Send a resume, cover letter, and 3 references to: volunteer@sbwcn.org
Include Subject Line: “Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship Application".
Step 3: After we receive and review your documents, you will receive an email with further instructions.