Veterans Florida

Program: Veterans Florida - Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge

Program Description

Six-Month training schedule for ECWR Wildlife Rehabilitation Interns. The intern will learn day to day operations of wildlife care and management through experiential learning at a non-profit wildlife rescue facility. Training Objectives: Month 1 Animal husbandry, the intern will be capable of working independently to clean outdoor habitats, perform diet preparation, and create/provide enrichment and training sessions to animal ambassadors. Month 2 - Neonatal wildlife nursing, the intern will be capable of working independently in the Nursery to feed and care for the various newborn wildlife patients, as well as obtaining daily weights and recording health status of animals in their care. Month 3 - Wildlife diseases, the intern will be knowledgeable of our in-house medications and will be able to administer all medications without supervision from the Wildlife Rehabilitator. Month 4 - Veterinary Medicine, the intern will be capable of performing wildlife exams on new patients independently and only requiring assistance from the Wildlife Rehabilitator when a patient needs surgery. Month 5 - Wildlife Education & Conservation, the intern will be able to run group tours through our facility and manage an education booth independently for a community event. Month 6 - Marine Mammal Rescue & Leadership, internship completion with the goal of obtaining job placement assistance or an interview for employment consideration. *Please note: Due to the nature of working in wildlife rehabilitation, some of these opportunities may present at different times than within the planned schedule above. We will be sure that all the information is taught and learned, but possibly not in this specific order.

Job Description

Wildlife Rehabilitator, Zoo helper, veterinary positions.

Eligibility

Basic Position & Job Skill Requirements: Ability to multi-task Positive outlook and joyful attitude, promoting a cooperative team environment, both within the organization and among other collaborating facilities Self-starter and able to take the initiative to ask questions or complete a task Customer service/cash register experience to handle donations Basic Microsoft Office or equivalent skills Wildlife care experience preferred Ability to life, push, or pull at least 30 pounds Ability to stand, walk, kneel, bend, etc. for extended periods of time Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, especially high heat and humidity (exposure to mosquitoes and other biting insects is likely) Ability to cope with the preparation of meat-based diets for animals in our care Ability to do basic mathematical calculations Ability to understand (and learn) basic medical terminology Ability to understand decision-making concerning quality of life issues and euthanasia for animal patients Once trained, must be able to work with minimal supervision, yet must recognize limitations in knowledge and abilities and ask for help when needed Ability to work independently for long periods of time, as well as work in a professional manner within a team atmosphere with other interns/volunteers/staff.