THE WILDLIFE CENTER OF VIRGINIA
Wildlife Rehabilitation Summer Externships
JOB DESCRIPTION: The Wildlife Center of Virginia is a hospital for native wildlife, with the mission of teaching the world to care about and to care for wildlife and the environment. Each year, an average of 2,500 patients are treated at the Wildlife Center; May to September are the busiest months of the year. Our summer externships provide students with in-depth, hands-on experience in the field of wildlife rehabilitation and with the addition of the “Critter Cam”, also emphasizes the importance of educational outreach. Lasting a minimum of 8 weeks between May and September of 2013, students will learn about animal husbandry, nutrition, hand-feeding techniques for a variety of orphaned species, capture and restraint methods, wildlife laws, and release criteria. Students are trained and supervised by Professional Permitted Wildlife Rehabilitators.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
¨ Hand feeding orphaned mammals and birds
¨ Feeding, cleaning, monitoring progress of orphaned fawns
¨ Monitoring progress of orphans, recording weights and food intake, and maintaining proper environment
¨ Daily exercise of raptor patients
¨ Assisting with capture and restraint of patients
¨ Researching a topic related to wildlife rehabilitation and care and giving brief presentation to staff upon completion of externship
¨ Providing updates to outreach staff on high-profile patients featured on the Center’s webcam
¨ Daily cleaning, feeding, watering, hosing, and scrubbing out pens of all animals housed in facility and outdoor enclosures
¨ General cleaning including sweeping/mopping floors, washing dishes, disinfecting counters/sinks
¨ Maintaining constant awareness of all patients’ health and behavior and reporting any changes to staff
¨ Identification of local mammals, birds, and reptiles species
¨ Maintaining high energy levels throughout a long workday
¨ Reporting maintenance and/or safety hazards to the rehabilitation staff and correcting any maintenance and/or safety hazards, if possible
¨ Lifting and hauling items up to 40 lbs., including trash and recycling
¨ Assisting with organizational, landscaping, construction, or web-based projects as needed
¨ Assisting staff with errands such as raptor food runs, supply pick-up, etc (vehicle provided for these errands)
¨ Additional duties as requested
HOURS: Externs will be scheduled to work five days a week with two consecutive days off during the week. A typical day consists of working at least 10 hours [7am to 5pm, 9am to 7pm or 8am to 6pm depending on the time of year]. Weekend work is required. Schedules are subject to change; though typically remain consistent throughout eight-week period.
Salary: None. Off-site housing is provided at no cost.
Qualifications: Must be a self-motivated individual with a sincere interest in working with
wildlife and the ability to enthusiastically work long hours. Attention to detail,
punctuality, initiative, and a strong desire to learn are required. At least two years
of college with related degree or prior animal experience. Ability to lift 40
pounds. Use of a car preferable. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination series is not
required, although those who are rabies vaccinated will also receive training with
adult mammals and young “high risk” rabies species.
Length: 8-week commitment. Summer positions available May to September (see application)
to apply: Please email cover letter, résumé, and application to rehab@wildlifecenter.org
Application deadline is February15th, 2013.
The Wildlife Center of Virginia
Rehabilitation Externship Application Form 2013
Name:
Permanent Address (street address):
(city, state, postal code):
(country):
(phone):
Current Address (street address):
(city, state, postal code):
(country):
(phone):
(email)
Date of Birth (month/day/year):
In case of emergency whom may we contact? (name, address, relationship, and phone number)
Dates for available for summer externships are listed below. Be sure to list your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices:
__ May 2 to June 27, 2013 __ June 27 to August 22, 2013
__ May 16 to July 11, 2013 __ July 11 to September 5, 2013
__ May 30 to July 25, 2013 __ July 25 to September 19, 2013
__ June 13 to August 8, 2013
Education and Professional training
High School:
College/University:
Graduate School/ Professional Training:
List other professional licenses, permits, or certificates:
Are you currently vaccinated for rabies? (Not required for externship) (Yes/ No)
The pre-exposure rabies vaccination is a series of three vaccines given over a period of one month; this is not routinely given and is administered to those who come into close contact with animals or at “high risk” for exposure (veterinarians, zookeepers, animal control officers, wildlife biologists, etc)
Are you currently vaccinated for tetanus? (Recommended for externship) (Yes/ No)
Are you licensed to drive? (Yes/ No)
Will you have use of an automobile? (Yes/ No)
Will you require housing? (Yes/ No)
If yes, check all that apply? Non-smoker Smoker
Allergic to cats? Allergic to dogs?
Comments:
Please return, along with resume and cover letter by February 15 to:
Rehabilitation Staff
rehab@wildlifecenter.org
or
The Wildlife Center of Virginia
P.O. Box 1557,Waynesboro, VA 22980
(540) 943-9453 fax