POSITION OPENING: WILDLIFE REHABILITATION INTERN
PURPOSE: Wildlife Rehabilitation Interns will assist in all aspects of care in the wildlife hospital with the goal to release the patients back into the wild. This includes (but is not limited to): physical assessment and stabilization of incoming animals, food preparation and feeding, medication administration, record keeping, following veterinary orders, animal husbandry and care, and release preparation.
CLASSIFICATION: Seasonal Internship, Full-Time
REPORTS TO: Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager and Wildlife Rehabilitator
WORK HOURS: Work hours are seasonally variable, typically 5 days/40 hours per week. Some nights, weekend, and holiday work hours required. Some in-state travel required.
POSITION SUMMARY: This internship is very hands-on from start to finish. Interns will fulfill daily hospital tasks and responsibilities. We strive to provide a well-rounded introductory internship to wildlife rehabilitation focused around all types of native New Mexico wildlife. Working conditions can be cold, hot, wet, and dry with long hours. Intern should be comfortable getting dirty as well as comfortable around gory and messy situations within the clinic. We rehabilitate approximately 800-1,000 animals (birds, mammals, and reptiles) each year from around the state, and have an excellent release rate. Please note: NMWC does not rehabilitate red-eared sliders, fox, adult bobcats, or raccoons. There is chance of working with coyotes, bats, and skunks with special permission from NMDGF. Only individuals with a rabies pre-exposure vaccination or acceptable titer within the past 2 years may work with the following animals: fox, raccoon, coyote, bat, skunk.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Learn wildlife care techniques:
- Preparation of diets and enrichment.
- Feeding and care of infant and adult wildlife.
- Safe capture, restraint, and handling of wildlife.
- Maintenance of animal enclosures and wildlife hospital in a clean and organized manner.
- Gain experience in wildlife rehabilitation:
- Triage skills: physical assessment and stabilization of incoming patients.
- Administration of medications and fluids; wound care.
- Maintain accurate care records and treatment plans; assist with pre-release assessments.
- Enclosure design and set up.
- Assist in pre-release assessments and participate in releases around the state.
- Practice using PPE and safety techniques, identifying what techniques are needed in different situations.
- Each intern will complete one individual project before the end of their internship.
- Work closely with staff, volunteers, and other interns in a supportive manner. Treat all team members with respect.
SKILLS:
- All interns will be very hands-on and should be confident in their ability to work in a variety of situations.
- Demonstrated ability to take both written and verbal direction; follow detailed instructions and complete assigned tasks.
- Proactive approach in resolving problems with a positive outlook and can-do attitude.
- Ability to work and communicate well with others, even on long days and in challenging/fast paced situations.
- Good judgement and confidence to work independently are important.
- Self-motivated, able to work independently with limited supervision and as a member of a team.
- Ability to multi-task and re-prioritize as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- A passion for NMWC’s mission and a keen interest in conservation. A sincere interest in wildlife rehabilitation.
- Ability to personally and professionally handle the emotional aspects of euthanasia.
- Must be able to read, write, and speak clearly in English so that written and verbal instructions can be given and followed.
- Rabies pre-exposure vaccination series not required but preferred.
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds safely.
- Must be legally entitled to work in the USA and over 18 years to apply.
POSITION DATES AND DETAILS:
Dates: Busy-season (summer) Interns are needed from approximately April to October. Off-season (winter) Interns are needed from approximately October to April. Intern position dates are flexible depending on intern availability and college semester start/end dates.
Length: The internship will be a minimum of 12 weeks in length. Work hours are seasonally variable, typically 5 days/40 hours per week. Some nights, weekend, and holiday work hours required. Some in-state travel required.
Salary: Internship is unpaid.
Housing: Free shared housing is available on-site for a maximum of 4 interns.
To apply: Send letter of interest, resume, and three professional references to Stephanie Lindsell at hospital@newmexicowildlifecenter.org. Enter “Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship Application” in the subject line.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Some duties are performed outdoors in various weather conditions, ranging from rain, wind, snow, cool to cold weather, and extreme heat. It is possible the employee will be exposed to dust and harsh chemicals that if not handled properly may present a health hazard. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Specific auditory acuity to identify animal noises indicating distress, aggression, pain and other conditions and behaviors; to hear warning signals from safety and security alarms and/or warning signals; to detect sounds associated with malfunctions in mechanical equipment and systems. Must possess sufficient manual dexterity, strength and ability to rotate wrists, elbows and shoulders to operate manual cranks, and pulleys and to use manual and power tools commonly used in routine maintenance. The incumbent must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The work environment may be exposed to inclement weather; pollen, mold, dust, dirt and other airborne contaminants; and temperature variations. Must be able to safely handle live animals and tolerate exposure to animal dander, animal wastes and other zoonotic contaminants. Must be able to work in close proximity to native wildlife species. Must be able to wear all required protective clothing and equipment.
- Note: Employees in this classification may be required to be COVID vaccinated; maintain and/or receive proper rabies vaccinations; and may be required to maintain current CPR and First Aid certification
DISCLAIMER: This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee within this role. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of an employee in this position.
EEO STATEMENT: NMWC is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law. New Mexico Wildlife Center is an at will employer and all NMWC employees are subject to employment eligibility and background security checks as well as testing for illegal substance use as allowed by law.
POSITION OPENING: EDUCATION AMBASSADOR INTERN
PURPOSE: This internship will provide basic and advanced knowledge concerning animal husbandry, animal care, and choice-based training. Education about New Mexico native wildlife and conservation is the focus of the department, and learning about NMWC resident species is necessary to the position. Aiding trainers in encounters and programs is included. This position offers the opportunity to observe training sessions with the Ambassadors and develop choice-based training skills in supervised sessions with NMWC staff.
CLASSIFICATION: Seasonal Internship, Full-Time
REPORTS TO: Senior Raptor Trainer, Education Coordinator/Trainer, and Ambassador Animal Specialist
WORK HOURS: Work hours are seasonally variable, typically 5 days/40 hours per week. Some nights, weekend, and holiday work hours required. Some in-state travel required.
POSITION SUMMARY: Education Ambassador Interns will assist with many aspects of animal husbandry and care. Interns will fulfill daily tasks and responsibilities. This includes, but is not limited to: preparation of diets, enclosure cleaning, enrichment development, weight management, medication administration, record keeping, and following management orders.
During the internship, a project selected by the intern and Senior Raptor Trainer will be completed.
Working conditions can be cold, hot, wet, and dry. Interns should be comfortable getting dirty as well as comfortable with meat preparation and fecal matter.
NMWC cares for multiple NM native raptor species, magpies, a raccoon, bobcat, gray fox, and reptiles.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- In collaboration with NMWC staff learn and implement animal husbandry and care:
- Preparation of diets and enrichment
- Proper cleaning of animal enclosures
- Enrichment development and application
- Enclosure maintenance
- Record keeping
- Preparation of medication
- Develop choice-based training techniques:
- Animal body language interpretation
- Raptor equipment in training
- Shifting animals
- Weight management
- Gain experience in public conservation education:
- Aid trainers in programs and encounters
- Over time, speak with guests and answer questions regarding NM native species
- Each intern will complete one individual project before the end of their internship.
- Work closely with staff, volunteers, and other interns in a supportive manner. Treat all team members with respect.
SKILLS:
- A strong respect for all wildlife and the knowledge that captive wildlife are not “tamed” and can potentially be dangerous.
- Basic knowledge of animal training. Experience working with ambassadors is a plus.
- Interns will be very hands-on and should be confident in their ability to work in a variety of situations.
- Demonstrated ability to take both written and verbal direction; follow detailed instructions and complete assigned tasks.
- Proactive approach in resolving problems with a positive outlook and can-do attitude.
- Ability to work and communicate well with others, even on long days and in challenging/fast paced situations.
- Good judgment and confidence to work independently are important.
- Self-motivated, able to work independently with limited supervision and as a member of a team.
- Ability to multi-task and re-prioritize as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- A passion for NMWC’s mission and a keen interest in conservation. A sincere interest in wildlife rehabilitation.
- Ability to personally and professionally handle the emotional aspects of euthanasia.
- Must be able to read, write, and speak clearly in English so that written and verbal instructions can be given and followed.
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds safely.
- Must be legally entitled to work in the USA and over 18 years to apply.
POSITION DATES AND DETAILS:
Dates: Summer interns are needed from approximately April to October. Winter interns are needed from approximately October to April. Intern position dates are flexible depending on intern availability and college semester start/end dates.
Length: The internship will be a minimum of 12 weeks in length. Work hours are seasonally variable, typically 5 days/40 hours per week. Some nights, weekend, and holiday work hours required. Some in-state travel required.
Salary: Internship is unpaid.
Housing: Free shared housing is available on-site for a maximum of 4 interns.
To apply: Send letter of interest, resume, and three professional references to Rachael Brunton at education@newmexicowildlifecenter.org. Enter “Education Ambassador Internship Application” in the subject line.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Some duties are performed outdoors in various weather conditions, ranging from rain, wind, snow, cool to cold weather, and extreme heat. It is possible the employee will be exposed to dust and harsh chemicals that if not handled properly may present a health hazard. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Specific auditory acuity to identify animal noises indicating distress, aggression, pain and other conditions and behaviors; to hear warning signals from safety and security alarms and/or warning signals; to detect sounds associated with malfunctions in mechanical equipment and systems. Must possess sufficient manual dexterity, strength and ability to rotate wrists, elbows and shoulders to operate manual cranks, and pulleys and to use manual and power tools commonly used in routine maintenance. The incumbent must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The work environment may be exposed to inclement weather; pollen, mold, dust, dirt and other airborne contaminants; and temperature variations. Must be able to safely handle live animals and tolerate exposure to animal dander, animal wastes and other zoonotic contaminants. Must be able to work in close proximity to native wildlife species. Must be able to wear all required protective clothing and equipment.
- Note: Employees in this classification may be required to be COVID vaccinated; maintain and/or receive proper rabies vaccinations; and may be required to maintain current CPR and First Aid certification
DISCLAIMER: This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee within this role. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of an employee in this position.
EEO STATEMENT: NMWC is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law. New Mexico Wildlife Center is an at will employer and all NMWC employees are subject to employment eligibility and background security checks as well as testing for illegal substance use as allowed by law.
