Wildlife Rehabilitation Internships

WRA Wildlife Rescue Association of BC is seeking applicants for internships working with injured, orphaned and pollution-damaged wild animals. Internships require a minimum commitment of one month (two months in the period of May-August). Upon completion of the internship, the intern will have a basic knowledge of wildlife rehabilitation and the treatment of injured and orphaned wild animals.

Wildlife Rescue is the busiest wildlife rehabilitation centre in Canada and now receives around 5,000 wild animals from up to 150 species each year. With over 30 years of experience in the field of wildlife care and rehabilitation, Wildlife Rescue offers outstanding opportunities for learning about the care and husbandry of a wide variety of wild animals.

Internships provide an educational and vocational experience that exposes interns to a variety of roles and responsibilities in a stimulating and dynamic working environment. The training and development of interns will be supervised and assessed by relevant staff.

Internship positions are voluntary (unpaid) and accommodation is not provided.

Commitment

During January-April and September-December a commitment of 24-40 hours a week is required with a commitment of 1-4 months (100 – 650 hours). Daily 8-hour shifts can vary according to our opening hours, which are typically reduced in winter. During May-

August a minimum commitment of 40 hours a week is required with a commitment of either 2 months or 4 months. Summer shifts are 7:30am-3:30pm or 2:00-10:00pm.

Qualifications & Responsibilities

The nature and demands of the role require applicants to meet the following criteria:

• minimum age of 16;
• minimum commitment of 100 hours of work;
• current tetanus vaccination;
• demonstrated fluency in speaking, reading and writing English;
• good health and fitness – can perform physically demanding tasks, such as cleaning and lifting (up to 19kg/40lbs), and working outdoors in all weathers;
• able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and holidays;
• able to learn quickly and perform varied tasks in a fast-paced work environment;
• able to perform repetitive/tedious tasks for extended periods of time; and
• a positive outlook!

Wildlife Rescue will work with successful applicants to schedule exact dates of internships. All interns receive a two-week probationary review.

Duties* may include

• Maintaining equipment, facilities and supplies
• Working in collaboration with volunteers
• Daily animal diet preparations, including food, nutritional supplements and drugs
• Daily cleaning of work areas and animal enclosures
• Daily feeding and care of animals in rehabilitation program
• Feeding and cleaning of fledgling and nestling birds
• Administering medications, tube feedings, basic fracture and wound management
• Maintaining animal clinical and husbandry records

[*This list is a guide; interns may not be asked/able to complete all listed duties.]

Internships can be used for academic or vocational purposes, but the intern is solely responsible for making arrangements for receiving relevant credit(s) for completion of

an internship. Relevant post-secondary education (veterinary/biological/environmental sciences) is an asset. Previous wildlife experience is helpful but not mandatory. Pre-existing practical experience in an animal care setting would also be an advantage.

A project will be chosen to be carried out during the internship with the purpose of improving the quality of care at the Wildlife Hospital. The Assistant Wildlife Hospital Manager will select a project together with the intern and provide guidance during the project.

Application Process

A limited number of internships are available. Please keep to the following application deadlines:

Interested individuals are required to submit the following application materials:

• resume and cover letter (with details of availability) in a single pdf file;
• an essay describing your career aspirations and how a Wildlife Rescue internship would help you achieve those goals (500 words in length, pdf file);
• if you are applying from outside the Lower Mainland, please describe how you will find accommodation and travel to our site.

Please send application materials to: recruitment@wildliferescue.ca with 2018 Intern Application as the subject.