Internship Program

Internship Programs

Avian Internship

Type: Full time paid

Timeframe: 10 weeks, 40 hrs/week (400 hours total)

Semesters Available: Spring, Summer, Fall

Qualifications: This internship is designed for college juniors and seniors that are seeking to obtain immersive experience in animal care before graduation. At least 1 year of previous animal care experience strongly preferred.

Description: The full-time Avian Internship offers an immersive experience into the world of wildlife rehabilitation and zoological facilities maintenance. Work alongside our Wildlife Rehabilitators and Avian Keepers as they care for sick and injured wildlife patients, as well as the 100+ resident birds that call S.O.S. home.

Learning Experiences: Full-time interns receive one training day, five lectures, and two hands-on wetlab experiences during the 10-week internship.

Project: Full-time interns will complete one project during their internship that aligns with the mission of Save Our Seabirds, and present their project to the staff at the end of their internship.

Introductory Internship

Type: Part time paid

Timeframe: 10 weeks, 12 hrs/week (120 hours total)

Semesters Available: Spring, Summer, Fall

Qualifications: This internship is designed for college freshmen and sophomores that are interested in the animal care/science field. No previous animal care experience necessary.

Description: The Introductory Internship is for students who are keenly interested in a career in animal care or science, but may not have much experience in the field yet. The goal of the Introductory Internship is to provide these students with a clearer understanding of the inner workings of wildlife rehabilitation, zoological facilities maintenance, and wildlife medicine. Students select three mornings per week (8am-12pm) to work alongside our hospital and Avian Keeper staff.

Learning Experiences: Part-time interns receive one training day, three lectures, and one hands-on wetlab experience during the 10-week internship.

Project: The Introductory Intern project is a short report on the unique husbandry needs and behaviors of one avian species commonly seen at Save Our Seabirds. A presentation summarizing this report will be given to the S.O.S. staff on the last day of the internship.

January ISP Mini-Internship

Type: Part to Full time paid

Timeframe: 4 weeks, hours determined by individual school requirements

Semesters Available: January/Winter

Qualifications: No previous animal care experience necessary.

Description: The January ISP is a mini-internship experience designed to give students a brief introduction to wildlife rehabilitation and the mission of Save Our Seabirds.

Learning Experiences: January ISP interns receive one training day, one lecture, and either one hands-on wetlab experience or one additional lecture during the 4-week internship.

Project: January ISP interns must complete a short report detailing what they learned about Save Our Seabirds during their time as an intern. A summary of their report will be given on the last day of their internship.

Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited university or college program at the undergraduate level, OR be a recent graduate to apply.

Internship applicants must be responsible, adaptable, hardworking (animal care is hard work!), motivated to learn, and have attention to detail.

Applicants should have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Maturity and professionalism are necessary when working with staff members, volunteers, and the public.

Applicants must have an interest in animal care, medicine, or science-related field.

Additional qualifications:

·        Ability to handle working outside in varying temperatures and weather conditions

·        Ability to lift/carry 25 lbs

·        Ability to handle live and dead prey/food items (worms, crickets, rodents, etc) as part of food prep

·        Ability to handle dead fish/chicken/meat as part of food prep

1. Do you accept out-of-state interns? YES! We’ve welcomed interns from all over the country.
2. Do you provide housing? Unfortunately, we are not able to provide housing at this time.
3. Do you have any veterinary externships or post-graduate internships? Unfortunately, we do not offer veterinary-level internships or externships at this time.
4. Can I take a week off during my internship? Interns must be able to commit to a consecutive 10-week program.
5. What are the start/end dates of the internship? Start times are flexible within the semester, so long as the intern is able to commit to a 10-week program.
6. What is the timeframe for each work day? Interns with 8-hour days are at work from 7:30am to 4:30pm, with a 1-hour lunch break. Introductory Interns with a 4-hour day are at work from 8:00am to 12:00pm.