Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern
About The Position
The Sharon Audubon Center’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship provides an opportunity to learn about native Connecticut animal species in a hands-on, rehabilitation clinic setting with sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife to an individual with a demonstrated interest in conservation, wildlife medicine and the natural world. This wildlife rehabilitation clinic focuses on birds, primarily songbirds, as well as small numbers of raptors, native reptiles and mammals. The intern will obtain extensive experience hand-rearing and developing outreach content on Chimney Swifts, a conservation priority species in the rehabilitation clinic. Topics that will be focused on are species identification, natural history, behavior, proper husbandry, enrichment techniques, animal handling, pre-release evaluation, record keeping, volunteer management and training, as well as basic and intermediate medical skills including tube-feeding, medication administration, fluid therapy, physical examinations, wound management, bandaging and splinting, and more. This is a high intensity position requiring the person to work efficiently at a fast pace. This position will require the intern to be standing for long periods, to engage in constant physical activities such as enclosure cleaning, in repetitive activities such as baby bird feeding, and have the ability to be flexible in the ever-changing atmosphere of a wildlife rehabilitation clinic. Length of Internship: May 26, 2026 – September 8, 2026. Hours: 35 per week This position is classified as on-site at Sharon Audubon Center in Sharon, CT. Onsite housing is provided and is required for this position. Only applications submitted with a cover letter will be considered
Requirements
- Undergraduate degree or currently majoring in natural science, veterinary clinic experience or other science-related field required.
- Excellent work ethic, enthusiasm, commitment, flexibility, initiative, a desire to learn required.
- Must be a team player.
- Must be a "go-getter" able to make decisions when working independently and work graciously with others.
- Must have a valid driver’s license.
- Must have own laptop to use for internship work.
- Ability to lift 50 lbs. with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to remain stationary for extended periods and engage in consistent physical activities.
- Experience using social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram
Nice To Haves
- Prior experience with handling wildlife and/or animal medicine is highly desirable.
Responsibilities
- Professionally and efficiently interface with the public during admitting patients, rescues, and fielding phone calls.
- Correctly identify common native bird species.
- Demonstrate their ability to assess physical conditions upon examination and treat many of the common injuries presented in wildlife such as broken bones, head trauma, emaciation, and cat bites as well as raising orphaned young birds.
- Understand the anatomy and physiology of birds.
- Correctly calculate and administer fluid therapy and medications.
- Triage in emergency situations.
- Properly handle and restrain patients.
- Understand the physiological response of stress in wildlife patients.
- Identify and develop proper husbandry plans for the variety of species admitted into care based on the natural history of the animal.
- Identify proper release criteria.
- Lead the five-day long Teen Rehabilitation Internship Program (T.R.I.P.) summer camp (including developing content and schedule).
- Assist in the development and presentation of skill training workshops for volunteers and apprentices.
- Assist in the development of education and outreach content on Chimney Swift and bird rehabilitation and conservation
- Data entry and record keeping
- Assisting with volunteer supervision and training, taking the lead on training initiatives
- Contribute to our development of Standard Operating Procedures and contribute to the Sharon Audubon Center’s multiple social media platforms.
- Development of education and outreach content regarding our conservation work with Chimney Swifts and other bird species
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
