Wildlife Rehabilitation Externship

WILDLIFE REHABILITATION EXTERNSHIPS
POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Wildlife Center of Virginia (WCV) is a non-profit teaching and referral hospital for native wildlife. Our mission and passion is “to teach the world to care about and to care for wildlife and the environment”. Founded in 1982, WCV has provided care for over 100,000 sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals representing over 200 species. Our goal is to release patients back into their natural habitats. At any time, there may be from 80 to 250 animals on the premises. This externship provides an in-depth, hands-on experience in the field of wildlife rehabilitation. Lengths of externships are flexible but 12-week externships are preferred. Externs will learn about wildlife husbandry, nutrition, hand-feeding techniques, capture and restraint methods, wildlife laws, and release criteria. Externs are trained and supervised by certified, permitted Wildlife Rehabilitators.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Daily feeding, watering, cleaning, hosing and scrubbing out pens of all animals housed in indoor and outdoor enclosures
• Hand-feeding orphaned mammals and birds as needed
• General cleaning including sweeping/mopping floors, washing dishes, disinfecting counters/sinks
• Maintaining constant awareness of all animals’ health and behavior and reporting any changes to staff
• Identification of local mammal, bird, and reptile species
• Monitoring progress of patients, recording weights and food intake, and maintaining proper environment
• Daily exercise of raptor patients
• Assisting with capture and restraint of patients
• Reporting maintenance and/or safety hazards to the rehabilitation staff and correcting hazards if possible
• Lifting and hauling items up to 40 lbs, including trash and recycling
• Assisting with organizational, landscaping, or construction projects, as needed
• Assisting staff with errands such as animal food runs, supply pick-up, etc. (vehicle provided)
• Maintaining high energy levels throughout a long workday
• Completing a project related to wildlife rehabilitation prior to completion of externship
• Additional duties as requested

SCHEDULE AND HOURS:
Externs will choose either (a) a 4-day work week (three consecutive days off) with one vet day per month, or (b) a 5-day work week (two consecutive days off) with one vet day per week. Students will report to the center at 8am and will be expected to work until patient care tasks are completed. During the months of April- July this will include working over 12 hours per day. Weekend and holiday work required.
SALARY: Externships are unpaid, though free off-site housing is provided. A $75 security deposit is required.
LENGTH: 4-12 weeks, 12 weeks preferred. Positions are offered year-round.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Self-motivated with interest in working with wildlife
• Able to enthusiastically work long hours; attention to detail, punctuality, initiative and strong desire to learn
• At least 18 years old with either 2 years of animal care experience or 2 years of college (or related degree) completed
• Pre-exposure rabies vaccination strongly preferred
• Tetanus vaccination required
• Up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination required

TO APPLY : Complete applications have four components: A completed Rehabilitation Externship Application Form, a résumé, cover letter, and proof you have received the updated 2024-2025 COVID vaccination.
Instructions for submission can be found here: https://www.wildlifecenter.org/training-opportunities/rehabilitation-training-center) Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.