Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern

WILDNorth – Northern Alberta Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation

Position: Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern @ Wildlife Hospital

Time Period: May – August (Let us know if you have longer availability April – September)

Hours: 20 – 40 hrs/ week

Minimum commitment: 4 months

Location: Wildlife Hospital

WILDNorth operates out of two facilities. This internship operates out of our Wildlife Hospital. Our Wildlife Hospital is in Edmonton and is accessible by public transit. There will be the opportunity to cross-train between facilities through the summer.

WILDNorth is seeking enthusiastic people who love wildlife, the outdoors, have a strong desire to learn and work well in a team environment, to assist us in maintaining the best care possible for our patients.

WILDNorth is a non-partisan, charitable organization that provides compassionate care for injured, orphaned, and contaminated wildlife and educates the public on the importance of wildlife in our community. We provide a high standard of care to a wide variety of native and migratory species. Approximately 80% of our patients are wild birds (waterfowl, birds of prey, songbirds) and 20% small mammals (squirrels, porcupines, fox).

Duties:

Working under the supervision of the Director of WILDCare, WILDCare Manager, or appropriately identified staff, interns will:

Assist medical team with many aspects of animal care including: prepare species specific diets; set up and take down of captive care enclosures; assist with some medical treatments; assist with daily records

Complete general facility cleaning including laundry, sweeping/ mopping floors, washing dishes, disinfecting counters/ sinks

Hand-feed orphaned mammals and birds (can be as frequent as every 15 minutes)

Complete daily feedings

Clean and enhance enrichment of animal enclosures

Provide specialized waterfowl care

Assist with lab work (i.e. fecal analyses, hematology) as needed

Report maintenance and/or safety hazards to the staff and correct hazards if possible

Lift and carry items up to 40 lbs, including garbage and recycling

Assist with organizational or construction projects, as needed

Assist staff with rescues, supply pick-ups, patient transfers as needed

Maintain high energy levels throughout a long workday

Additional duties as requested

Interns are required to follow all policy, procedures and protocols at WILDNorth to ensure a high standard of animal care. Interns will also interact and work with other facility volunteers, summer students, veterinarians, and casual relief staff.

Conditions:

All positions are voluntary, no salary is offered. Housing and transportation is not provided.

Qualifications:

Minimum age of 18

Current tetanus vaccination, good physical health, and stamina

Effective communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to work independently and as a team member

Ability to be motivated, flexible, and patient in a highly demanding work environment

Criminal record check

Must provide references

Assets:

Experience or coursework in biological or environmental sciences, wildlife rehabilitation or management, veterinary medicine, animal welfare or husbandry

Rabies vaccination an asset (Not required!)

Benefits & Skill Development for the Intern:

This is an incredible opportunity to learn about animal care and wildlife rehabilitation, whether pursuing passion or experience for a career, especially for aspiring veterinary technologists and veterinarians as an introductory experience to the field, providing an opportunity to explore and practice essential skills for these programs.

Opportunity for a Registered Veterinary Technologist to sign off on work experience forms needed for entrance into programs such as an Animal Health Technologist program

Species identification, habitat enrichment, release site research, and proper husbandry techniques

Animal handling, tube feeding, dosage calculations, administering medication, performing lab work

Further your career or educational goals

Orientation and training provided

Learning job skills and team work

Mentorship and friendships with like-minded people

Certificate of completion of internship provided

Application Process:

1. Fill in an application form at https://wildnorth.ca/who-we-are/current-opportunities/ and attach your resume.

2. Submit your application.

WILDNorth’s staff thanks you for your interest in our volunteer internship program. All applicants will go through an application, screening, and interview process. Successful candidates will then attend an orientation and onsite training.