INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Transform your love for wildlife into action

Internships Now Closed for 2024

Benefits
  • Interns will be provided with an entry gate pass to Oak Mountain State Park.
  • Work hands-on with songbirds and birds of prey – gaining education and rehabilitation experience.
  • Interns will be able to attend workshop/trainings offered by AWC
  • Housing is not provided for interns

Qualifications
  • Positive attitude, reliable, dedicated, consistent, hard-working, self-motivated, detail-oriented, accept instruction, communicate well with co-workers and the public, work well with others and independently in a hectic environment
  • Must be able to work outside year-round and lift 50 pounds
  • For animal care positions – previous rehab experience is a plus but not required

HOW TO APPLY

Send a resume with a cover letter summarizing your relative experience to our Executive Director, Chris Sykes, at chris@alabamawildlifecenter.org

Please include position(s) of interest in the subject line

INTERNSHIP POSITIONS

We do offer paid internships, but these internships vary from year to year

Clinic Internship

DESCRIPTION: Our Rehabilitation Clinic offers an enriching internship opportunity that encompasses a broad spectrum of duties, both administrative and related to animal care. The internship requires a commitment of 20-40 hours each week, with a flexible schedule that includes availability during some weekends and evenings. We welcome applications throughout the year for this position.

PRIMARY DUTIES

  • Provide assistance to the public with wildlife concerns through our Wildlife Help Line or face-to-face interactions.
  • Manage animal intake procedures with care and efficiency.
  • Prepare appropriate diets for various wildlife species under our care.
  • Support in organizing and conducting educational events and fundraising initiatives.
  • Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of animal cages and clinic facilities.
  • Participate in the examination, medical treatment, and management of wild bird patients, including adults and juveniles, which encompasses handling, feeding, accommodating, and preparing them for release back into their natural habitat.

Education & Outreach Internship

DESCRIPTION: We are seeking dynamic individuals for our Education and Outreach Internship, offering a comprehensive experience within our Center’s educational programs, both on-site and off-site. This role demands a commitment of 20-40 hours per week, necessitating a flexible schedule that includes availability for weekend and evening hours. We accept applications for this enriching internship opportunity throughout the year.

PRIMARY DUTIES

  • Care for glove-trained birds of prey, ensuring their well-being through the preparation of specialized diets, cage maintenance, and facility cleanliness.
  • Conduct both formal and informal tours of the center, including the Treetop Nature Trail, providing informative and engaging experiences for visitors.
  • Support our summer camp initiatives by assisting with program delivery, contributing to a fun and educational environment for participants.
  • Develop educational materials that enhance the learning experience for visitors and participants in our programs, ensuring content is informative and accessible.
  • Participate in the organization and execution of fundraising events, contributing to the center’s community engagement and financial sustainability efforts.

Songbird Care Internship

DURATION: 3 months | Mid-May to Mid-August

OBJECTIVE: The Alabama Wildlife Center seeks a dedicated intern to join our team, assisting staff and volunteers in delivering expert care to nestling and fledgling native songbirds. The goal is to nurture these birds into healthy, breeding adults ready for a successful return to the wild.

PRIMARY DUTIES

  • Support the feeding, cleaning, and habitat provision for the songbirds, fostering essential survival skills like foraging.
  • Oversee daily nursery and aviary operations, ensuring the health and well-being of the birds, and supervising volunteers to maintain high standards of care.
  • Keep the songbird nursery and aviaries pristine and orderly.
  • Engage with the public, offering informative and educational interactions.
  • Participate in the upkeep of live feeder insects and fish critical for the birds’ diets.
  • Contribute to the accurate documentation of care activities and bird progress.
  • Ensure all songbird habitats are kept in an optimal condition, safe and suitably equipped for the needs of each species.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

  • Undertake research to enhance our knowledge of developmental benchmarks, dietary requirements, and criteria for the release of commonly raised songbird species, as time allows.
  • Aid in the coordination and execution of bird releases as instructed.
  • Support efforts to reunite young birds with their parents when viable, and facilitate the fostering to new parents as conditions permit.
  • Embrace a collaborative spirit, working alongside the Animal Care Staff to fulfill any necessary tasks, thereby contributing to the Alabama Wildlife Center’s mission.

Summer Raptor Internship

DURATION: 3 months | Mid-May to Mid-August

OBJECTIVE: The goal for this role is to provide optimal care and housing for various wildlife species gearing up for release. This involves nurturing their physical capabilities, agility, and essential survival behaviors to ensure they can successfully reintegrate into the wild. Additionally, the position supports efforts to reunite healthy orphaned wildlife with their natural families.

PRIMARY DUTIES

  • Facilitate the reunion of healthy orphaned wildlife with their natural parents, enhancing their chances of survival in the wild.
  • Aid in creating or relocating substitute nests as necessary to support wildlife reintegration.
  • Conduct regular visits to nest sites to monitor the health and progress of reunited or fostered wildlife.
  • Ensure all release preparation enclosures are maintained in a clean, secure, and appropriately equipped state, tailored to the specific needs of each species.
  • Provide daily care to juvenile and adult raptors and assist in the management of live feeder organisms such as insects, fish, and rodents
  • Keep precise records of all activities and interventions.
  • Contribute to the upkeep and care of non-releasable birds of prey located at Treetop Nature Trail as required.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

  • Compile and update a database with release preparation criteria for species frequently cared for at the Alabama Wildlife Center, when time allows.
  • Play a role in the release process of animals as instructed.
  • Participate in the identification and assessment of release sites for various species, organizing and maintaining accessible records of these locations for future reference.
  • Assist in the rescue of raptors or other large birds ensnared within significant structures.
  • Maintain cleanliness and order in service areas.
  • Engage positively and collaboratively with the Animal Care Staff and volunteers, contributing to the efficient operation of the Alabama Wildlife Center

Summer Clinic Internship

DURATION: 3 months | Mid-May to Mid-August

OBJECTIVE: This role is dedicated to supporting our team in delivering daily medical care and husbandry for various avian species, alongside coordinating and leading our clinic volunteers in the daily care, cleaning, and upkeep of avian patients. A key goal is to prepare nestling and fledgling native birds to become healthy, breeding adults ready for a successful return to the wild.

PRIMARY DUTIES

  • Lead and manage clinic volunteers, ensuring the routine medical care and husbandry of all avian patients are conducted efficiently.
  • Oversee diet preparations and maintain enclosures, ensuring all birds receive the necessary care, feeding, and cleaning daily.
  • Uphold all protocols related to daily cleaning, maintenance, health, safety, and security.
  • Perform a variety of clinical tasks, including new patient intake, exams, triage, initial and ongoing intensive medical care, under direction.
  • Participate in humane euthanasia procedures as necessary, understanding its importance in certain situations.
  • Prepare both adult and juvenile birds for release, focusing on developing their physical strength, agility, foraging abilities, and other essential survival skills.
  • Identify and assess potential release sites, organizing all pertinent information into a comprehensive and accessible database.
  • Assist in the release of animals according to planned guidelines.
  • Collaborate positively and effectively with the animal care staff and volunteers to ensure the smooth functioning of the Alabama Wildlife Center.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

  • Contribute to the songbird program by overseeing the bird nursery and caring for baby songbirds as required.
  • Engage in research and the compilation of articles on wildlife rehabilitation for avian species treated at the Center, as time allows.
  • Support efforts in reuniting, re-nesting, or fostering healthy wild orphans, with subsequent monitoring.
  • Ensure all release preparation enclosures are kept clean, secure, and appropriately equipped for the species they house.
  • Provide care and maintenance for non-releasable birds of prey at the Treetop Nature Trail, as necessary.
  • Participate in rescue and transport efforts, including the rescue of raptors or other large birds from complex situations.
  • Maintain cleanliness and organization in service areas.
  • Work cooperatively and with enthusiasm alongside the Animal Care Staff and volunteers, contributing to the effective operation of the Alabama Wildlife Center.