Mission

The Bird Rescue Center began as a rehabilitation center for Sonoma County’s wild native birds but has grown to service or assist 5 Northern California counties and beyond. Our mission is two-fold: to assist in the rescue, treatment, and release of injured, orphaned, or ill birds in the northern San Francisco Bay Area, and to educate the public regarding their ecological importance through our Resident Ambassador Program. The Bird Rescue Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wildlife hospital that has serviced northern California for 40 years, providing care for approximately 3,000 birds annually that are brought to us by the public.

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Position Summary

The Rehabilitation Hospital Intern is responsible for performing and coordinating daily avian care and husbandry at The Bird Rescue Center. Interns must be able to work individually as well as in a team, have significant communication and multi-tasking skills, and have the best interest of the animal in mind. Hospital Interns work directly under the Hospital Manager and Clinic Supervisors, and alongside hospital volunteers.
 

Internship Terms

• Consecutive, 12-week period with potential start-dates in April, May, or June.

• Term start and end dates may be flexible.

• Interns commit to a minimum of 24 hours a week (3, 8-hour shifts) in our wildlife hospital, covering both weekend and weekdays.

• Any planned absences must be scheduled BEFORE term begins and included in the Intern’s commitment contract. Sick days available if needed, however, excessive absence(s) may result in the termination or deferral of the internship.

• We do not currently offer paid internship opportunities.

• We do not provide housing or transportation.

• Upon successful completion of the program, interns will be considered an experienced wildlife volunteer and are eligible for written personal references from The Bird Rescue Center medical staff.

Skills You Will Gain

• Species-specific knowledge of local, native wild birds, including but not limited to avian natural histories, dietary requirements, molt patterns, migratory patterns, and habitat preferences.

• Skills for identifying local avian species, including age and sex differences when applicable.

• Proper species and age-specific care, feeding, housing, & cleaning of native, wild birds.

• Performing examinations and basic rehabilitation assessments on incoming patients.

• Performing weekly weight and health checks on in-house birds.

• Assisting with various diagnostics (i.e., blood draws), treatments, and surgery, as needed.

• Maintenance of animal care records and data entry.

• Basic laboratory procedures (i.e., fecal, blood smear, PCV) and aiding in equipment maintenance.

• Admitting patients from the public and aiding both in person and over the phone regarding avian natural history questions, field rescues, safe transport, emergency care, and human-wildlife conflicts.

• Assisting in the coordination and release of patients, as needed.

• Safety training to capture, restrain, and work with wild native birds.

Qualifications

• 18 years of age or older.

• Maintain current membership with The Bird Rescue Center.

• Maintain current tetanus shot(s) and health insurance.

• Must have a valid driver’s license and/or government ID and reliable transportation.

• Availability to work flexible days and hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Someone who loves nature, enjoys learning, and is detail-oriented, organized, and hard-working.

• Must have excellent communication, interpersonal, and multi-tasking skills.

• Must be comfortable in a fast-paced, high-stress environment with the ability to work under pressure.

• Must be comfortable with medical aspects of a wildlife hospital, including but not limited to the sight of blood, use of medical supplies (i.e., needles), the sight of injured/ill animals, and death or euthanasia.

• Comfortable with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and other basic computer skills.

• $50 Administrative Fee upon entering the internship program (application process is free).

• Scholarships are available.

• Proof of a negative COVID test preformed within 1 week of starting the internship and willingness to follow BRC’s COVID-19 safety measures through the duration of the internship.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Described are representative of those an intern will encounter and will be needed to successfully perform the essential duties and key responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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• Ability to work in a standard office setting, sitting at a standard office desk, and to use standard office equipment, including a computer.

• Required to consistently lift 25-50 pounds, occasionally overhead.

• Position requires extensive standing, walking, hiking, and considerable bending and lifting.

• Working conditions vary with season but are generally warm to hot in the summer.

• Ability to lift and handle the variety of birds in our program.