Avian Care Internship
Interns are invaluable to the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center. We are happy to provide 6-month, paid internships to individuals who are interested and passionate about wildlife rehabilitation and conservation. The unique ecosystem of the Florida Keys creates a great opportunity for interns to gain knowledge and experience working with a wide variety of avian species. From seabirds and shorebirds to raptors and songbirds, interns can expect to work hands-on alongside our Certified Wildlife Rehabilitators at Mission Wild Bird and independently at the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary.
Our Avian Care internship consists of 5-day, 40-hour (sometimes more) work weeks. The schedule is split up so that individuals will be working 3-4 days a week at our Wild Bird Hospital and 1-2 days a week at our Sanctuary. We provide a $250 bi-weekly stipend and shared intern housing located on-site at our Sanctuary.
Hospital Duties include:
-Daily cleaning and feeding of Hospital patients
-Maintaining hospital cleanliness (i.e. sweeping, mopping, laundry, etc.)
-Keeping detailed and updated records on rehab patients
-Administering medication and fluid therapy
-Helping rehabilitators with medical procedures including wound care, fecal floats, and X-Rays
-Performing bird rescues, intakes, and releases
-Being on-call for bird emergency calls at least two nights per week
-Performing after-hours bird intakes
-Participating in at least one education outreach event
Sanctuary Duties include:
-Daily husbandry of permanent sanctuary residents (i.e. feeding, cleaning, checking enclosures, cleaning perches)
-Picking up donated fish from local marine centers and sorting fish for quality
-Feeding and cleaning of rehabilitation patients in medical and flight cages
-Occasional weighing of patients, assessing condition, and noting diet changes
-Researching, organizing, and providing enrichment for residents
-Interacting with visitors
Qualifications:
-At least 21 years old
-Willing to work 40 hours per week, including weekends and holidays with occasional evenings
-6 month commitment
-Ability to lift 50 lbs and work in hot, humid, and rainy weather conditions
-Capable of multitasking and handling physically and mentally stressful tasks
-Ability to interact with the public in a professional manner
-Have a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and ability to work well with others
-Valid Driver's License and clean driving record
*Start dates are flexible*
I am hiring two positions, one starting December 1 and one starting in the beginning of January.
How to Apply
To apply, send your completed internship application, resume, and cover letter to Greg Russ at careers@keepthemflying.org.
To access the application and find more information, please visit our website.
