The Blue Ridge Wildlife Center (BRWC) is a nonprofit full-service wildlife hospital & rehabilitation center located in Boyce, VA, caring for 3,000+ native mammals, birds, & reptiles annually. The BRWC provides qualified students the opportunity to get hands-on experience assisting with the daily care of these animals.
Learning Opportunities Include: Native wildlife identification, species-specific handling techniques, husbandry of native wildlife, rehabilitation of injured & orphaned wildlife, knowledge of wildlife diseases & toxins, educating the public on wildlife issues, opportunities to work with a wildlife veterinarian, & general natural history of the species we see.
Intern Expectations & Responsibilities:
Rabies-vaccinated applicants will be given preference. Non-vaccinated applicants will not be allowed to handle any of the 5 rabies vector species we care for (Raccoons, Foxes, Bats, Skunks, Groundhogs).
Full-time and part-time internship opportunities are available on a rolling basis, but are generally expected from January – April, May – August, September – December. Internships must be a duration of at least 3 months up to a year. Full-time interns work 5 days/week. Part-time interns work 3 days/week. Housing may be available for full-time interns in the summer only. Interns must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, evenings, & holidays. Opportunities to work with a wildlife veterinarian will be available, but this internship’s focus will be primarily on rehabilitation. Interns will have several areas of responsibility including:
· Feeding birds, mammals, and reptiles of all different ages (dependent on season).
· Cleaning and maintaining caging for a wide variety of wildlife species.
· Preparing diets for all species in care.
· Keeping records on all patients and entering data into our computer database.
· Communicate all patient issues or concerns with rehab and veterinary staff.
· Assisting staff with wildlife rescues & releases as needed.
· General cleaning & projects required to maintain the efficiency of the facility.
This work is physically demanding & fast paced. Interns must be in good physical condition, enthusiastic to learn new skills, & able to work outdoors in all weather conditions. Interns must be fully Covid-19 vaccinated with proof before starting their internship.
Application Procedure: Please send a resume, cover letter, and 2 letters of recommendation to:
Jessica@blueridgewildlifectr.org
Jessica Andersen
Blue Ridge Wildlife Center
106 Island Farm Ln
Boyce, VA 22620
Cover letter should include: Dates & duration of internship, whether housing is needed, whether the applicant is rabies vaccinated, what the applicant will get out of this internship, & what makes the applicant a good choice for an internship at the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center.
FOR INTERNSHIPS BETWEEN MAY & AUGUST, APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY APRIL 1ST.
All other prospective internship materials should be received at least one month prior to internship start date.