WILDCare Intern

Position:  WILDCare Intern @ Wildlife Hospital     
Time Period: May – August (Let us know if you have longer availability April – September; spots may be reserved for those who can continue through September) 
Hours: 20 – 40 hours per week; Both part-time and full-time positions available 
Minimum Commitment: 4 months 
Location: Wildlife Hospital in Edmonton 

WILDNorth operates out of two facilities. This internship operates out of our Wildlife Hospital. Our Wildlife Hospital is in Edmonton and is accessible by public transit. Very limited parking is available.  

WILDNorth is seeking enthusiastic people who love wildlife, the outdoors, have a strong desire to learn and work well in a team environment, to assist us in maintaining the best care possible for our patients.   

WILDNorth is a non-partisan, charitable organization that provides compassionate care for injured, orphaned, and contaminated wildlife and educates the public on the importance of wildlife in our community.  We provide a high standard of care to a wide variety of native and migratory species. Approximately 80% of our patients are wild birds (waterfowl, birds of prey, songbirds) and 20% small mammals (squirrels, porcupines, skunks, foxes).
Duties: Working under the supervision of the Director of WILDCare, WILDCare Manager, or appropriately identified staff, interns will:  

- Assist medical team with many aspects of animal care including: prepare species specific diets; set up and take down captive care enclosures; assist with some medical treatments; assist with daily records. 
- Complete and track daily feedings, including hand-feeding young patients (can be as frequent as every 15 minutes). 
- Complete general facility cleaning including patient enclosures, laundry, sweeping/ mopping floors, washing dishes, disinfecting counters/ sinks. 
- Clean and enhance the enrichment of animal enclosures.   
- Provide specialized waterfowl care. 
- Assist with lab work (i.e. fecal analyses, hematology) as needed. 
- Assist staff in maintaining a safe and professional environment.   
-  Report maintenance and/or safety hazards to the staff and correct hazards if possible. 
- Lift and carry items up to 40 lbs, including garbage and recycling (non-essential; please let us know if this will be an issue for you). 
- Assist with organizational or construction projects, as needed.  
- Maintain a positive working relationship with coworkers, staff, and volunteers.   
- Maintain high energy levels throughout a long workday.   
- Additional duties as requested. 

Interns are required to follow all policy, procedures and protocols at WILDNorth to ensure a high standard of animal care. Interns will also interact and work with other facility volunteers, summer students, veterinarians, and casual relief staff.    

Conditions:  
All positions are voluntary; no salary is offered.  Housing and transportation are not provided.     

Qualifications and Requirements:    
- Must be 18 years of age or older. 
- Current tetanus vaccination, good physical health, and stamina. 
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills.  
- Ability to work independently and as a team member.  
- Ability to be motivated, flexible, and patient in a highly demanding work environment.  
- Must provide Police Information Check prior to start date. 
- Must provide references.  

Assets:  
- Experience or coursework in biological or environmental sciences, wildlife rehabilitation or management, veterinary medicine, animal welfare or husbandry. 
- Rabies vaccination an asset (Not required!). 

Benefits & Skill Development for the Intern:  
This is an incredible opportunity to learn about animal care and wildlife rehabilitation, whether pursuing passion or experience for a career, especially for aspiring veterinary technologists and veterinarians as an introductory experience to the field, providing an opportunity to explore and practice essential skills for these programs. 

- Opportunity for a Registered Veterinary Technologist to sign off on work experience forms needed for entrance into programs such as an Animal Health Technologist program. 
- Species identification, habitat enrichment, release site research, and proper husbandry techniques.  
- Animal handling, gavage feeding, dosage calculations, administering medication, performing lab work under the supervision of Registered Veterinary Technologists. 
- Further your career or educational goals.  
- Orientation and training are provided.  
- Learning job skills and teamwork.  
- Mentorship and friendships with like-minded people.  
- Certificate of completion of internship provided.