Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship

A wildlife rehabilitation internship can open many doors! Whether you are hoping to work in the field of conservation, biology, or in veterinary medicine, this internship will provide excellent hands-on experience. Work with wildlife is a great asset on any resume and is one of the most rewarding experiences.

Wildlife interns are immersed in all aspects of wildlife rehabilitation. This unique opportunity is incredibly rewarding but can be physically and emotionally demanding. Days are filled working on your feet, with lots of walking, bending and lifting, all while caring for injured and orphaned animals. The internship includes working on some evenings, weekends, and holidays so that we can provide the best care possible for our wild patients.

Nursery care:
Play a vital role in raising our orphaned wildlife! As a Nursery Care Intern, you will help provide critical nutritional support, proper housing, and behavioural enrichment to prepare these young individuals for a life in the wild. Species you may work with include baby squirrels, chipmunks, opossums and Eastern cottontail rabbits. Interns who have been vaccinated against rabies will have the opportunity to work with baby raccoons and skunks as well!

Avian care:
Interested in hands-on experience with birds? Avian Care Interns work with the migratory songbirds that come into care during their journey to their breeding grounds. You will also get hands-on experience raising orphaned Mallards, Wood ducks, Canada geese and more as they grow up into healthy young birds. You will be working closely with our advanced care team members to provide these birds with the critical care they need while being treated for a variety of injuries.

General Wildlife Care:
This position is for people who can’t get enough of wildlife and want to experience all aspects of wildlife rehabilitation! Wildlife Care Interns help in countless ways – from assisting our adult animal care team members, which includes caring for reptile patients, to filling in and helping with nursery and avian care. This could be a great role for people with an interest in wildlife rehabilitation as a career path.

Wildlife Chef:
With over 270 different species admitted to TWC, there is a wide variety of diets that need to be prepared each day. Proper nutrition is an important part of the recovery and well-being of our wild patients. As a Wildlife Chef Intern, you will be responsible for preparing nutritious meals and slurries based on the natural history of each species.

Details

Location: Opportunities available at both Downsview Park and Rouge Park

Internship sessions: May – August 2024 or July – October 2024

Commitment:
Full-time is a minimum of 600 hours over 4 months (40 hours/week). Some Part-time positions are available at a minimum of 300 hours over 4 months (20-30 hours/week). Preference will be given to those who can make a full-time commitment and will be offered additional learning opportunities. Hours can be flexible to accommodate school or work.

Qualifications:

Minimum 18 years of age
Current tetanus vaccine (within the last 10 years)
Rabies immunization is an asset and required to work with rabies vector species
For Internships at our Rouge Park location, you must be able to drive/be driven as this site is NOT transit accessible.
Please note that the internships are unpaid positions. TWC is committed to providing training and hands-on experience for all of our interns so that you will gain skills and knowledge during your internship.

Accountabilities:

Ensure a positive, professional, and safe working environment at all times; with a focus on both human and animal safety
Engaging in learning opportunities provided
Assist medical staff as they administer treatments (role dependent)
Update patient records (role dependent)
Assist with training and providing some direction to new volunteers and interns
Competencies:

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively within a team
Motivated self-starter, with ability to prioritize
Flexible and adaptable to changing and dynamic work environment
Must be comfortable working long hours with a demanding workload
Strong work ethic and desire to learn
Excellent communication skills; must be proficient in verbal and written English
To apply: Please submit an online application here: https://app.betterimpact.com/Application?OrganizationGuid=cf7b5214-aa4d-457b-bee3-176d66c9c8d6&ApplicationFormNumber=2
You will need to submit a resume, cover letter, and references upon request. Due to the anticipated volume of applications, only those we wish to consider for an interview will be contacted.

DEADLINE: For the Spring/Summer (May Start) Season: April 1st, 2024.
*Applications for all other internship terms (Summer/Fall, Fall/Winter) will be reviewed on a rolling basis