Description
PURPOSE: Wildlife Rehabilitation Interns will assist in all aspects of care in the wildlife hospital with the goal of achieving the best outcome for each patient. 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: Full-time, paid internship, seasonal employee
REPORTS TO: Staff Veterinarian and Wildlife Rehabilitators
WORK HOURS: Work hours are variable, typically 5 days/40 hours per week. Some nights, weekend, and holiday work hours required. Some in-state travel may be 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 on all types of native New Mexico wildlife. Working conditions can be cold, hot, wet, and dry. Interns should be comfortable getting dirty as well as comfortable around gory and messy situations within the clinic. We rehabilitate approximately 1,000 animals (birds, mammals, and reptiles) each year from around the state, and have an excellent release rate. Please note: Only individuals with a rabies pre-exposure vaccination or acceptable titer within the past 2 years may work with the following animals: 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.
Maintain 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 records, treatment plans; assist with pre-release assessments.
Enclosure design and set up.
Assist in pre-release assessments and participate in releases.
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 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, can work independently with limited supervision and as a team member.
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: Summer season internships are available from April through September. Start and end dates are flexible within those months.
Length: 12 weeks
Salary & Benefits: $12.00 per hour, over-time at 1.5x hourly rate with pre-approval, paid sick leave
Housing: Free, shared, all-gender housing is available on-site for a maximum of 4 interns.
To apply: Send letter of interest, resume, and three professional references to NMWC hospital staff 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; may be required to maintain and/or receive 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.
Requirements
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.
