Internship Program
Gain Valuable Experience & Education
Avian Internship
The full-time Avian Internship offers an immersive experience into the world of wildlife rehabilitation, zoological facilities maintenance, and wildlife medicine. Work alongside our staff veterinarian, wildlife rehabilitators, and avian facilities technicians as they care for sick and injured wildlife patients, as well as the 100+ resident birds that call SOS home. The full-time Avian Intern will work 5 days a week for a total of 10 weeks. They will attend lectures held once a week for a total of 10 lectures, as well as 1-2 wetlabs hosted by the staff veterinarian and hospital technicians. The Avian Intern project is subject to the individual intern’s interests and will be decided within the first week of the internship. This project will be due on the last day of the internship.
Previous experience in animal care preferred. Higher preference will be given to applicants of the full-time internship over the part-time internship.
Part-Time Introductory Internship
The Introductory Internship is for students who are keenly interested in a career in animal care, 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 consecutive days out of the week (Mon/Tues/Wed, Tues/Wed/Thurs, etc) to come in for part of the day for 10 consecutive weeks. During those 10 weeks, the Introductory Intern will attend 5 lectures and 1-2 wetlabs hosted by the staff veterinarian and hospital technicians. The Introductory Intern project is a short report on the unique husbandry and behaviors of one of the many bird species seen regularly at Save Our Seabirds; a presentation summarizing this report will be given to the senior SOS staff on the last day of the internship.
Previous experience in animal care a bonus, but not required for the part-time internship. Higher preference will be given to applicants of the full-time internship over the part-time internship.
Dates & Duration
Our internship program is available every Spring, Fall, Summer, and Winter.
We ask for a minimum 10 week commitment (unless otherwise stated in the program description). It can be longer with prior approval from your program manager.
Qualifications & Application
Applicant must be enrolled in an accredited university or college program at the undergraduate or graduate level OR be a recent college graduate to be eligible to apply for a SOS internship. Applicants must be responsible, adaptable, hard working, motivated to learn, and have an attention to detail. Applicants have the ability and drive to work both independently and as part of a team. Maturity and professionalism are necessary when working with the public, other SOS staff members, and SOS volunteers. Applicants must have a background or degree in Environmental Science /Conservation /Biology/ Ecology /Veterinary or other related field.
- Research field experience is preferred but not required
- Ability to handle high temperatures, humidity, insects, and lift/carry 25lbs
- Ability to handle live and dead prey (Rats) (Food Prep)
- Ability to handle dead fish/chicken/meat (Food Prep)
Required Documents:
Applicants must submit (in .pdf form) a 1-2 page Statement of Interest and a resume or CV to: internships@saveourseabirds.org.
Contact Info
1708 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, FL 34236
Hours: 10 am - 4 pm Daily
NO FEE FOR ADMISSION
Email: admin@saveourseabirds.org
Tax ID 59-3078536