Assistant (wildlife)
LOCATION
SCHEDULE OPTIONS
Semester availability
FallSpring
Summer
Service hours
MorningAfternoon
Available days/hours
Two days per week depending on class schedule. Hotline has specific shifts open Sunday - Saturday, 8am - 9pm. Interns will work with coordinator regarding open shifts. Daily care shifts available in the early morning 6:30 am - 10:30 am week days. Evening feeding shifts open on Mondays and Fridays from 5- 8 pm. Orphan care has several shifts open from 7 am - 7 pm April - August, weekdays.
REQUIRED/DESIRED SKILLS
Reliability is a must. Each intern will be placed on a specific shift and must be there each time. They are part of a team and everyone will rely on them to do their part. As a representative of Liberty Wildlife, we expect excellent communication skills in order to aid the public by answering questions or providing instructions. Interns must be able to follow directions and follow protocol while working with wild animals for their safety and the safety of others, including the animals. They must be able to deal with the fact that we feed raptors dead animals (bought frozen in bulk) and that the on-site work is largely outside and can be hot and dirty in the summer.
Community relation skills, phone skills, prior experience in rehab organizaions, studies in related fields are all important for a successful intern experience.
CATEGORIES
AnimalsEnvironment/Nature/Sustainability
Fundraising
Marketing
Public Relations
COMMUNITY PARTNER
Liberty Wildlife
ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP
Duties
Students have the opportunity to have two experiences at Liberty Wildlife by working directly with the public on our Hotline answering questions regarding animal emergencies and an indirect experience working with animals at the facility. Specifically, on the Hotline, they answer calls from the public, educate them about native Arizona animals, talk with them about options and work out a rescue for the animal where appropriate. At the facility they may choose from two groups depending on the time of year. Orphan Care occurs April - August. Volunteers work with baby birds feeding,. cleaning as well as working the intake window dealing with the public when they bring in wildlife. Again, they try to educate the public about what they have brought in, thank them for caring enough to bring the animal to us and generally assuring them of the care we provide to ensure survival. Daily Care is a year round, hands on experience with wild animals cleaning, feeding, working in a team enviornment, following instructions, learning diets and general maintence.
We also have fundrasing experiences available: Interns help the Guardian team secure donations, help on the day of the fundraising event, help with passing out fliers for the event and and help advertise fundraisers through emails, phone calls. etc.
Population served
Over 4,000 injured, ill or orphaned wild animals are aided every year by Liberty Wildlife. The human population of the state of Arizona benefits as well, as the wildlife of our habitat contributes to the overall health of the community.
Community need/impact
Liberty Wildlife aids the community by providing medical care for wildlife injured often by interactions with humanity. We rely completely on volunteers, so students who intern in our volunteer program will be contributing to our mission in a concrete and meaningful way. We couldn't do the work we do without the help of over 300 volunteers who assist us. Our outreach programs include over 700 school and public events each year covering all of Arizona and nearby states, as well. Interns are expected to attend one event program each month they are with us. They assist the Liberty Wildlife Education Team by helping set up the venue, speaking directly with the public about Liberty's mission and in encouraging public participation in volunteering and making donations.
The interns that commit their time at Liberty Wildlife will work on the Hotline where they will be the first responders to an animal emergency and will need to communicate to an anxious member of the public in need of advice and council on steps to take to save an animal. At the facility, the intern will provide the daily care that our rehabilitating animals require to get well and go back into the wild. They will visit each enclosure and provide food and fresh water. They look in on the animals and make sure that they are continuing to improve. They may feed baby orphans between 7 am and 7 pm, ensuring that the songbirds that control insects and enrich our lives will continue to thrive in the community.
