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Minimum six-month commitment, nine-month commitment preferred

Five positions available on a rotating basis

A von Arx Wildlife Hospital Intern will gain experience in the field of wildlife rehabilitation as well as focus on the natural history of native Florida wildlife, husbandry, nutrition, capture and restraint, behavioral observation, accurate record keeping, and public relations. The intern is introduced to basic medical concepts pertinent to wildlife rehabilitation. Interns are supervised by Wildlife Rehabilitators, the Staff Veterinarian, and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager while assisting in the care and daily feeding and cleaning of native birds, mammals, and reptiles. This position is challenging and requires participants to be enthusiastic, hard-working, dedicated, and motivated.

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QUALIFICATIONS

• Wildlife intern applicant must be at least a senior in college, with skills and/or experience with wildlife.
• Preference will be given to those with prior rehabilitation experience.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

BENEFITS

Upon completion of the intern program, you will leave with a varied experience in wildlife rehabilitation that can include animal care, basic medical techniques, education program development, public speaking skills, interpersonal skills, and knowledge of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Become a wildlife intern today!

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a Drug and Smoke Free Workplace.

Six-month positions available on a rotating basis

Description

The Conservancy’s Animal Care Team cares for over 100 species of native and non-native wildlife such as American alligators, snakes, turtles, and a wide variety of both fresh and saltwater aquatic fish and invertebrate species. The Animal Husbandry Internship is a 6-month position that provides the candidate with invaluable experience by assisting the Animal Care Team in all aspects of animal husbandry, aquatic life support systems maintenance, animal handling, training, and enrichment. The Husbandry Intern will be an integral part of a small but very experienced Animal Care Team with over 30 years of professional husbandry experience at zoos, aquariums, and state wildlife agencies across the country. This is an excellent opportunity to learn industry-standard husbandry and animal welfare practices that will develop the skills and relationships essential for a professional career within the Zoo and Aquarium field.

In addition to the primary husbandry duties, the intern will gain extensive knowledge of Southwest Florida’s unique ecosystems by assisting the Conservancy in bringing environmental awareness to thousands of students and visitors through educational outreach. The husbandry intern will also provide support as needed to the Education team by assisting in training, handling and presenting ambassador animals for on-site programs and serving as Touch Tank interpreter.

$300 bi-weekly cost of living stipend and dorm accommodation, including laundry, provided.

Essential Duties

Under the supervision of the Animal Care Team, the internship duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Routine husbandry and maintenance of our indoor and outdoor live exhibits (e.g. diet prep, water quality testing).
• Daily husbandry and maintenance of our animal ambassador collection.
• Minor life support system troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair.
• Assistance in training and enrichment design and delivery.
• Record keeping and data entry (diet logs, water chemistry parameters, training, and enrichment logs).
• Routine cleanings.
• A qualified candidate may earn the opportunity for an expanded role or more advanced tasks in one or more of the following areas: animal handling and training efforts, specimen collecting, life support or enrichment design and delivery, or to contribute periodic shifts in the Wildlife Hospital.

Education/Experience

• BS or BA in science or related field.
• Strong interest in professional animal husbandry.
• Ability and willingness to interact with diverse audiences of all ages.
• Some animal care experience is required.
• Experience with aquarium maintenance and basic plumbing is preferred but not necessary.
• Previous formal experience in environmental science/ecology or comparable background preferred.

Work and Training Requirements:

• Ability to take direction and work collaboratively within a small team
• Professional interest in the husbandry of reptiles, raptors, invertebrates, amphibians, and fish
• Must be willing and able to handle (non-venomous) snakes.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate good time management skills.
• Willing and able to work weekends, holidays, early mornings, and evening shifts.
• Ability to lift 60 pounds and work outdoors in hot, humid, and sometimes buggy conditions.

About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida

For more than 60 years, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has been a leading environmental advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the water, land, wildlife, and future of our five-county area.

Our Nature Center features a collection of indoor and outdoor exhibits, artifacts, and live animals curated to showcase Southwest Florida’s unique wildlife and habitats. The Nature Center experience includes state of the art hands-on exhibits and technology for all ages.

Six-month positions available on a rotating basis

Description 

The Environmental Education internship is a 6-month position that provides the candidate with invaluable experience in environmental education, interpretation, animal handling, and special events. The intern will also gain extensive knowledge of Southwest Florida’s unique ecosystems and how conservation and climate change impacts our region.

The Environmental Education intern will be an integral part of our Education team and bring environmental awareness to thousands of students and visitors through educational outreach. This is an excellent opportunity to learn educational, interpretive, and public speaking skills that will be essential for a professional career within the Environmental Education field.

$300 bi-weekly cost of living stipend and dorm accommodation, including laundry, provided.

Essential Duties

Interns will assist with and deliver environmental education programs for audiences of all ages and present live animals for these programs as needed. These programs include but are not limited to school field trips, afterschool programs, camps, Nature Center tours, daily public talks, and special events. Interns will also assist in the development of program content and materials.

Work and Training Environment

• Willingness to handle (where appropriate) reptiles, invertebrates, and amphibians.
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills.
• Ability to work with audiences of all ages (public visitors, school groups, volunteers, fellow interns, and staff).
• Willing and able to work weekends, holidays, early mornings, and evening shifts.
• Ability to lift 20 pounds and work outdoors in hot, humid, and sometimes buggy conditions. 

Education/Experience

• Applicant must possess a BS or BA in science and/or education
• Environmental science/ecology, education or comparable background with a strong interest in working in a nature center and with diverse audiences of all ages.
• Some teaching experience is preferable but not required.
• Animal handling is preferable but not required.

About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida

For more 60 years, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has been a leading environmental advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the water, land, wildlife, and future of our five-county area.

Our Nature Center features a collection of indoor and outdoor exhibits, artifacts, and live animals curated to showcase Southwest Florida’s unique wildlife and habitats. The Nature Center experience includes state of the art hands-on exhibits and technology for all ages.

(Mid-May to mid-August)

Help teach a variety of science and ecological programs, both on and off-site during an intensive 4-week environmental summer camp. Assist lead counselors with program trips, care of campers before and after camp, and program delivery to second through eighth grades. Serve as a responsible counselor and positive role model for campers. Lead games, crafts, and field trips to area wildlife locations such as beaches, swamps, and parks. Summer camp interns will also assist in delivering outreach programs using the Conservancy’s STEM Learning Adventures Bus (LAB), a mobile classroom designed to bring hands-on science fun to the community.

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QUALIFICATIONS

• Applicant must be at least a senior in college with an academic background in science, education or comparable discipline.
• Teaching experience preferred but not required.
• Strong commitment to environmental education and conservation.
• Good communication, public speaking and leadership skills.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and willing to work outside in hot, humid and sometimes buggy conditions.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

BENEFITS

The Conservation Intern will gain experience in the field of education, both classroom and field work, and environmental science/conservation. The Conservation Intern will gain extensive knowledge of southwest Florida’s unique ecosystems, educational program development and will have numerous opportunities to visit beaches, swamps, barrier islands and other unique habitats.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a Drug and Smoke Free Workplace.

Six to nine month positions available on a rotating basis

Assist the Environmental Science Team in a variety of research projects such as wetland assessments, water quality monitoring, mangrove research, or sea turtle research. Responsible for additional duties, as assigned, such as data entry, sample processing and equipment maintenance.

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QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS or BA in one of the biological or environmental sciences.
• Background in field survey techniques or willingness to learn.
• Willingness to work indoors and outdoors – often in humid conditions.
• Willingness to work outside of the usual 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM business hours when necessary. Working knowledge of MS Access and/or MS Excel preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

BENEFITS:

An experience that will provide the Conservation Intern with an increased understanding and appreciation of environmental field research.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a Drug and Smoke Free Workplace.

Three internships available from April-August

One internship available from April-October each year

Interns will monitor beaches on Keewaydin Island for sea turtle nesting activity. Cage nests and tag nesting turtles on the southern four miles of Keewaydin Island. Patrol on an ATV to look for nesting sea turtles (nights and/or days); cage nests to prevent depredation by raccoons; tag nesting females and accurately record data on carapace dimensions and nest locations; monitor nest-hatching success by excavating nests and counting hatched and un-hatched eggs; safely operate ATV and a motorboat; maintain the ATVs, a generator, and a motorboat by changing the oil on a regularly scheduled basis, fix flat tires, make sure gasoline is on the island to fuel the generator and ATVs, and prepare the equipment for the next evening after each night's field work is completed; keep the field station clean during the course of the summer; enter research information in computer system’s database. Relate to the public in a cheerful, positive manner when asked questions about sea turtles while patrolling the beaches.

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QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of a college senior in one of the biological or environmental sciences, with BS or BA preferred.
• Interest in field biology and willingness to work under adverse field conditions at night.
• Working knowledge of the care and operation of ATVs, motorboats, and small engines an asset.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

BENEFITS

An experience that will provide the Conservation Intern with an increased understanding and appreciation of Environmental Field Research.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a Drug and Smoke Free Workplace

Six to nine-month positions available on a rotating basis

Assist the Collaborative Burmese Python Research Project Team through intensive radio-telemetry tracking of invasive snakes throughout Southwest Florida. Responsible for additional duties, as assigned, such as data entry, sample processing and equipment maintenance.

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QUALIFICATIONS

• BS or BA in one of the biological or environmental sciences.

• Background in field survey techniques or willingness to learn.

• Willingness to work in extreme outdoors conditions. Ability to help drag or carry large snakes through the woods.

• Willingness to work in the laboratory setting assisting with necropsies. Working knowledge of MS Excel preferred.

• Willingness to work outside of the usual 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM business hours when necessary. 

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

• Understanding of geologic time scale and sense of humor preferred.

BENEFITS

An adventurous and hands-on experience that will provide the Conservation Intern with an increased understanding and appreciation of environmental field research. Networking opportunities with professionals in the field of herpetology and invasive animal research. Ability to work closely with large, invasive apex predators and live to tell about it.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a Drug and Smoke Free Workplace