Internships (as of 7/12/2012)

Facility: Alabama Wildlife Center (“AWC”)
Description of Organization: AWC is a nonprofit organization that provides rehabilitative care to injured and orphaned native birds and educational programs to promote appreciation and conservation of native wildlife populations. AWC is Alabama’s oldest and largest wildlife rehabilitation facility and receives approximately 1,600 native birds from over 100 different species annually.
Address: 100 Terrace Drive
Oak Mountain State Park
Pelham, Alabama 35124
To Apply:

Send resume with cover letter summarizing your relevant experience to wildlife@awrc.org or fax to 205-682-6867.
Qualifications: Positive attitude, reliable, dedicated, consistent, hard-working, self-motivated, detail-oriented, accept instruction, communicate well with co-workers and the public, work well with others and independently in a hectic environment. Must be able to work outside year-round and lift 50 pounds. Leadership/supervisory/computer skills. (For animal care positions) previous rehab experience a plus.
Benefits AWC will provide Oak Mountain State Park entry gate pass; attend workshops/trainings offered by AWC at no charge (schedule permitting)
  AWC does not provide housing for interns.
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Animal Clinic Internship (Unpaid)  Description:


 

Position includes a wide variety of administrative and animal care responsibilities: assist public with wildlife situations on Help Line or in person; assist with education events and fundraising activities; perform animal intake; prepare diets; clean cages and facilities; assist in examination, medical management, handling, feeding, housing and release of wild bird patients (adults and babies).

20-40 hours per week, flexible schedule required including some weekend and evening hours.

Applications accepted year round for the animal clinic internships.
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Education Internship (Unpaid)  Description:





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Position includes a wide variety of duties with the center's education and outreach programs both on and off-site,  provide care of gloved trained birds of prey (e.g., preparing diets, cleaning cages and facilities), conduct formal and informal tours of the center and Treetop Nature Trail, assist with summer camp programs, develop written education materials. and assist with fundraising events.

20-40 hours per week, flexible schedule required including some weekend and evening hours.

Applications accepted year round for the education internships.
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Summer Songbird Internships  (Paid) Description:




















 
PLEASE NOTE -  We are no longer accepting applications for the summer of 2013.  . Please apply starting January 1, 2014 for open positions in spring/summer of 2014.
 
Goal: To assist the Staff and Volunteers of the Alabama Wildlife Center to provide professional care for nestling and fledgling native songbirds, in order to ensure that the birds become normal, breeding adults that are fit to return to the wild
   
Primary Duties: To assist in feeding, cleaning, providing proper habitat and other routine daily care to foster the development of foraging and other behavioral skills necessary to thrive in the wild.
 
Additional Duties:
  • To assist in maintaining all songbird housing in a clean, safe and well-furnished condition appropriate to the species for which it is intended.
  • To research and add to a file of developmental norms, special dietary needs and release preparation criteria for songbird species commonly raised at the Alabama Wildlife Center, as time permits.
  • To assist in coordinating the release of birds as directed.
  • To assist in returning young birds to their parents in situations where conditions are favorable.
  • To assist in fostering young birds to their parents in situations where conditions are favorable.
  • To assist in maintaining accurate records on all aspects of work performed.
  • To work cheerfully and cooperatively with the Animal Care Staff in performing whatever tasks are needed in order to ensure the smooth operation of the Alabama Wildlife Center.
2 paid positions available – 3-month & 6-month full-time @ $1280 per month.
 
Start date:  approximately mid May - mid August for the 3 month internship;  April - September for the 6 month internship.
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Summer Raptor Internship  (Paid) Description:


























 
PLEASE NOTE - We are no longer accepting applications for the summer of 2013.  Please apply starting January 1, 2014 for open positions in spring/summer of 2014.
 

Goal: To provide appropriate housing for a variety of wildlife species preparing for release in order to foster the development of physical strength, agility and foraging and other behavioral skills necessary to return to the wild and assist staff in returning healthy orphans to their natural families

Primary Duties:

  • Assist in returning healthy wild orphans to their natural parents
  • Assist staff in providing substitute nests and/or relocating nests when necessary
  • Monitor health of reunited/fostered wildlife by regular visits to nest sites
  • Assist in maintaining all release preparation cages in a clean, safe and well-furnished condition appropriate to the species for which they are intended
  • Assist in the care and maintenance of non-releasable birds of prey at Treetop Nature Trail as needed

Additional Duties:

  • Research and assemble a file of release preparation criteria for species commonly raised at the Alabama Wildlife Center as time permits
  • Assist in releasing animals as directed
  • Assist in rescuing raptors or other large birds trapped in large structures
  • Assist in locating and evaluating release sites for species as needed, and to assemble and organize all available data on release sites into a readily accessible file for future reference
  • Maintain service areas in a clean and orderly condition
  • Work cheerfully and cooperatively with the Animal Care Staff and volunteers in performing whatever tasks are needed in order to ensure the smooth operation of the Alabama Wildlife Center


1 paid position available – 6-month full-time commitment @ $1280/week.

Start date:  approximately mid April - mid October
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Media Internship (Unpaid)
Description:


















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Requirements: Experience and/or formal education in the field desirable, but not required.

Goal: To assist the Executive Director in heightening awareness and understanding of the Alabama Wildlife Center and its mission on behalf of native wild birds through the use of a wide range of media resources.

Duties:

  • Monitor Animal Care Program for stories highlighting various aspects of AWC’s work in order to develop interpretive material based on these stories for educational use at AWC and also for distribution through our e-newsletter, website, Facebook page and local and national media outlets.
  • Maintain and add to a photo collection for media distribution, as well as for educational programs and displays, fund-raising appeals, website Facebook and e-newsletter.
  • Work with the Executive Director and other staff members on the development of interpretive material for educational displays at AWC, as well as for traveling displays, brochures, and other outlets.
  • Prepare and distribute press releases of current stories to media on a regular basis.
  • Cultivate media contacts, and serve as liaison for media contacts to make sure they received prompt and courteous attention.
  • Research and document media outlets both local and national for distribution of press releases and other informational material.
  • Coordinate publicity for AWC events and activities
  • Maintain website and Facebook updates on weekly basis or as requested.
  • Coordinate and assist in preparing the AWC e-newsletter, fundraising appeals and other materials sent to AWC members.
  • Other duties as assigned

20-40 hours per week, flexible schedule required including some weekend and evening hours.
Mandy Faust Education/Rehabilitation Internship (Paid)
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PLEASE NOTE - We are no longer accepting applications for the summer of 2013.  Please apply starting January 1, 2014 for open positions in spring/summer of 2014.

Assist AWC staff and volunteers in the daily care and maintenance of glove-trained birds of prey and non-releasable display birds.  Responsibilities include food preparation, feeding, maintaining accurate records, ensuring that flight cages are clean and habitat is appropriate to accommodate each bird.
 
Assist with presentation of education programs to school groups, scouts and civic organizations, participate in outreach opportunities, lead tours of Center and Treetop Nature Trail, maintain schedule of programs and record of visitors.
 
Assist AWC staff/volunteers in providing professional care for nestling/fledgling native songbirds to ensure they become healthy, breeding adults.  Maintain accurate care records, feeding, and appropriate housing for each species and assist with coordination of releases.  Participate in visits to other local animal and environmental facilities, attend workshops and lectures and other activities to complement the training.  A written summary of learning outcomes is required upon completion of the internship.

One 3-4 month internship @ $1280/month.  Start date approximately May 15.