Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship

Job Title: HHS Wildlife Center Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship provides interns with comprehensive training in HHS Wildlife Center’s daily operations and wildlife rehabilitation. Wildlife interns will work under the supervision of the Volunteer Coordinator within the Rehab department.  Training will include daily operations such as center maintenance, hands-on experience with small mammals and birds, enrichment, animal handling, training, husbandry, and education and outreach. Our interns work directly with opossums, eastern grey squirrels, fox squirrels, and a large variety of songbirds. Candidates for this position should be friendly, reliable, flexible, motivated, and capable of multitasking.  Must be comfortable working with insects and carcasses.

Primary Responsibilities

• Learn and execute appropriate handling of all species
• Diet preparation and feeding for small mammals and birds in our onsite Wildlife Rehabilitation Department
• Responsible for setting up enclosures, cleaning enclosures, and providing enrichment
• Provide limited medical care (such as administering medication and giving fluids) under the supervision of program managers
• Working together with staff and volunteers to complete daily tasks
• Communicate closely with staff and volunteers
• Responsible for doing dishes and cleaning areas when assigned
• Complete all supplemental training materials as assigned
• Attend outreach events as assigned
• Attend additional training as assigned

Meetings

• Perform one-on-one meetings with the Volunteer Coordinator every 3 weeks

Requirements

• 3-month term
• Hours/Week: 4 shifts a week with 4 to 9 hours a shift for three months, requires minimum completion of 200 hours. (The completion of an internship does not guarantee full-time or part-time job placement at HHS Wildlife Center)
• Terms:
  • 3-month:
    • Fall - Mid-August through Mid-November
    • Spring- March through May
    • Summer- Mid-May through Mid-August
    • Wage/Salary: Unpaid
• Interns must attend a training orientation.
• Interns must be at least 18 years old by the internship application due date and currently enrolled in college.
• Must be available to work all shifts, including early mornings, late nights, and weekends.
• Any applicable college credit (or additional requirements) must be arranged by the student through his/her institution and presented to HHSWC staff during the initial interview.
• Interns must have reliable transportation.
• Interns must be able to lift 40 lbs.
• Interns must be able to stand for long periods of time.
• All applicants must provide a current resume and a letter of recommendation from either a professor, teacher, or previous employer in their online application.
• Note that the completion of an internship does not guarantee full-time or part-time job placement at the HHS Wildlife Center.
• Applicants should be pursuing a degree in Biology, Zoology, Animal Science (or closely related field), or Pre-Vet or Graduate classes within the same fields.

Changing Office Locations:

The HHS Wildlife Center will be changing locations to a new and improved building in 2024. The new location will be 3100 W. Fuqua Street, Houston, TX 77045. All employees must be willing to work at the current location and switch to the new location after the move.

Send additional documents, including resumes and cover letters, to wildlifevolunteer@houstonhumane.org