Wildlife Sanctuary Internship Programs

Thank you for your interest in the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida's Internship Program. Outlined below you will find information regarding the details, duties, and expectations of our various internships.

Animal Care Intern

The Wildlife Sanctuary takes on Animal Care Interns to help expose participants to the wonders of the Wildlife Rehabilitation world by assisting with the care and treatment of a wide range of native wildlife patients during our busy seasons. Our goal is to get our patients back into the wild where they belong. As an intern, participants will encounter a wide range of tasks including species identification, proper handling procedures, proper feeding methods, animal husbandry, public education, and more. The Sanctuary is a busy yet rewarding environment to work in and we look forward to hearing from you.

Application Instructions

Please read through the following material thoroughly to ensure that our program meets your needs and interests. We ask that you not call the sanctuary with questions regarding internships to allow our animal care staff to continue their work with their rehab patients and the public. Any inquiries should be sent via email.

The following must be included when submitting your application. Applications may be submitted by email, mailed to 105 North S Street, Pensacola, Fl 32505, or dropped off at the Sanctuary.

Your Resume
A short cover letter describing your career goals and how an internship at WSNWFL will assist with these goals.
Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a former employer or teacher)
Proof of current Tetanus shot

Applicant Requirements

A positive attitude is a must
Applicants must be 18 years or older
We accept both students and non-students as interns, however priority is given to current students and recent graduates
A minimum commitment of 10 weeks is required as a full-time position (30-40 hours per week), part-time positions are available on a limited basis with a longer commitment period, please email the listed address with questions
Internships are unpaid, but may be used for school credit if agreed upon with the Internship Coordinator before the Internship begins
Interns must have reliable transportation and provide their own housing
Ability to speak, read, and write English fluently
Ability to follow instructions and complete tasks in a timely manner
Ability to work both independently and cohesively with volunteers, fellow interns, staff, and management
Ability to work outdoors in adverse conditions
Ability to perform a variety of tasks including heavy lifting (up to 50lbs), climbing, and both indoor and outdoor cleaning

Download Your Internship Application

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Job Duties

Cleaning tasks: laundry, dishes, sweeping, mopping, etc
Answering phones and admitting new animals
Public education
Diet preparation (can include handling dead prey for raptors and other carnivore patients)
Animal Care: handling and restraint of animals, feeding of orphaned wildlife, and assisting the staff with the rehabilitation of animals
Medical care: assisting staff with evaluations and medication administrations, charting, and animal intakes
Other tasks as needed

What to Expect

Spring and summer are the busiest seasons for the Wildlife Sanctuary. During these months, we often receive 30-40 animals a day (3000 animals on average every year) and there is a lot of work involved in caring for these patients. The primary role of a wildlife rehabilitation intern is to assist in the care of the wildlife patients, many of whom have been orphaned. This internship is fast paced and engaging both physically and mentally. You will be challenged on a daily basis and gain valuable knowledge in the wildlife rehabilitation field.

Again, we thank you for your interest in our Internship Program and look forward to hearing from you. Please allow 5-10 business days for responses to applications, our staff is very busy year around with animal care.

Email to: ws@wildlife.gccoxmail.com

No phone calls please

Education and Outreach Intern

The Wildlife Sanctuary takes on Education and Outreach Interns to help expose participants to the wonders of the Conservation and Non-profit world by assisting with programs that allow our animal care staff to continue the amazing work that they do. Our goal is to foster our community partnerships, public awareness and appreciation for wildlife, and hopefully plant the seeds for our region's conservation heroes of the future. As an intern, you will encounter a wide range of tasks including public education, social media management, public speaking and tour guiding, event management, grant program assistance, and more. The Sanctuary is a busy yet rewarding environment to work in and we look forward to hearing from you. We do have two similar programs in education and outreach, one designed for collegiate students and recent graduates, another open to high school upperclassmen. Please specify which you are applying to when submitting an application.