Interns are expected to work at least 16 hours per week for a total minimum commitment of 200+ hours. Interns are also required to attend training sessions, provided by GCWR, during their internship.

Internship Location: Auburn, CA

Start/End Date: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and admitted based on preset orientation dates.  However, the best time to intern with us is during our busy baby season.  Anytime from March through October we received our largest amount of animal intakes.  During these months interns get to see and work with the largest variety of species.

Orientations are typically held February, April, June, and August.  Additional orientations are held as needed. Dates can be flexible depending on intern availability and seasonal needs.  If interested in a specific timeframe, please contact volunteers@goldcountrywildliferescue.org for additional information.

Salary: Unpaid
Minimum Age Requirement: 18+ years
Minimum Time Commitment: At least 16 hours per week, for a minimum total of 200+ hours over the course of the internship session.
Housing/Transportation: No housing or transportation is provided to interns by GCWR. All housing and transportation arrangements are the responsibility of the intern. 

Intern Duties:

Medical Care Assistance: Work alongside staff members in animal medical examinations, preparing and administering medications, tracking medications per individual patient, and administering treatments (such as physical therapy, wing wraps, and leg splints).

Food Prep: Interns will be responsible for making and distributing liquid and solid foods for all species of wildlife that comes through the WIC for care. Finch and Sparrow Diet, and Exact are examples of some of the liquid foods that may be necessary during each internship session. Other examples of food prep include mixing appropriate seed dishes, offering and caring for meal worms, cleaning and distributing appropriate fruits, vegetables
and other miscellaneous diet ingredients.

Cleanliness and Maintenance: As an animal caretaker, interns (along with all staff and volunteers) are responsible for maintaining a clean working environment and ensuring our patients are kept in a clean habitat. Some examples of daily chores include laundry, washing dishes, sweeping floors, replacing enclosure liners, caring for lab equipment, and performing facility repairs.

Records: Interns are responsible for keeping accurate animal records on intake, medication, and feeding sheets. Intake sheets will keep up to date progress of an individual patient’s history in GCWR’s care.  Medication sheets track an individual’s medication history. Such examples might include: pain management, parasite treatment, or infection treatment. Feeding sheets track an individual’s daily routine. From how often an enclosure is replenished with fresh water or additional food trays, to the exact amount of liquid food a specific animal is fed each hour over the course of that animal’s care at GCWR.

Hands-on experience: Interns will be expected to learn various animal handling and feeding techniques in order to care for wildlife patients properly. Physically handling these animals is a crucial part of this position but is never done without consideration and caution. There is no “cuddling” in this organization and every task performed on behalf of GCWR is done with the ultimate goal of releasing injured and orphaned wildlife back into their natural habitats.

 Qualifications:

Required:

• Strong Level of Enthusiasm and Desire to Learn. Daily activities working with
  wildlife are often repetitive, however there is more to learn each day! Interns must
  become proficient in dozens of tasks and be prepared for a new task when unfamiliar
  circumstances arise. Interns must be willing and excited to learn about wildlife, public
  education, and veterinary care.
• Detail Oriented.  Interns are often responsible for watching animal behaviors and
  must report changes or odd behavior of animals to staff immediately. Interns must be
  aware of enclosure set-ups and confirm proper materials are available on a species specific level.
• 18 Years or Older.  According to state law, no one may work in the WIC or directly
  with wildlife in any way, unless they are at least 18 years of age.
• Physically Demanding. WIC interns may need to stand for long periods of time, be
  able to lift at least 25 lbs., and hold positions required for animal caretaking.
• Follow Direction. Interns must follow verbal and written directions by staff and
  board members. Interns must have the ability and willingness to follow rules,
  regulations, policies, and procedures laid out by the GCWR organization. Failure to
  follow protocols and instructions will not be tolerated.
• Team Player and Self-Starter. Interns will need to work in groups, teams, and
  independently with limited supervision.
• Professional. Interns are expected to arrive on time to their scheduled shifts.
  Absences and tardiness will not be tolerated.
• Basic Customer Service Skills. As interns will be expected to interact with the public
  on behalf of GCRW, applicants must be able to handle small groups and one-on-one
  public interactions.
• Basic Computer Skills.
• Understanding of the 3 strikes rule. Consistent tardiness and/or inability to follow
  protocol and instruction will result in 3 warnings before the termination of the
  internship.

Desired:

• Schooling. Currently enrolled in, recently graduated from, or pursuing animal related
  degree. Examples include, but are not limited to: Biology, Zoology, Pre-Vet, and
  Animal Science.
• Previous Experience. At least 6 months of hands-on experience with wildlife or
  domestic animals is encouraged. A previous volunteer position with GCWR or one of
  the surrounding Northern Californian wildlife rehabilitation centers is highly
  recommended but not required to be considered for this position.

Apply HERE to intern with us!

Intern Application Link