Employment Opportunities

Have you always had an interest in wildlife? Do you stay up late at night anxious about habitat destruction and wonder what you can do to help the animals affected by it? Have you wanted to work hands on with wild animals, but zoos just aren’t your thing?

If so, Wildlife Rehabilitation may be the field for you! Come find out with Alaqua Animal Refuge Wildlife Rehabilitation Center’s Internship Program. We are located 11 miles from the pristine white sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and within beautiful long leaf pine forests, giving us an incredible species and diversity of patients.

Launched in the Fall of 2021, we are a state and federally permitted facility to rescue, rehabilitate, and release all native Florida wildlife, including rabies vector species. .

The diversity of patients and work will provide you with an adequate understanding of natural history, basic medical skills, safe handling techniques, and proper etiquette when speaking with the public

Our training program is in a fast-paced environment with the opportunity to learn basic wildlife rehabilitation skills and receive hands on experience to put towards future employment opportunities in the field. (Plus, on your days off you can hang at one of the most beautiful beaches in the US!)

This internship will allow you to experience all aspects of Alaqua’s work, including but not limited to:

• Rescue and release missions
• Baby rearing
• Triage
• Enrichment development
• Lab work
• Administering medications
• Wound management
• Diet prep and feeding
• Answering wildlife related calls
• Cleaning habitats/enclosures
• Care of our resident mammals

This is 40 hour/5 days a week unpaid internship. Interns may have to respond to some after hour calls and must be willing to work some nights, weekends, and holidays. Our interns are part of our (very small) team and although a lot is expected of them, they will receive many unique learning opportunities and experiences in return. Must agree to three months minimum with the possibility to extend. (Housing may be able to be provided.) 

• Must be able to work in all weather conditions including tropical storms/extreme heat and must be flexible, as we never know what each day will bring
• Must be able to work well on their own and with others
• Good communication and time management skills
• Self-motivated

• Applicants enrolled in a bachelor’s program at college or a technical school (or be a recent graduate) with a focus on biology, wildlife conservation, environmental science, or veterinary technology preferred
• Veterinary school applicants preferred
• Previous experience in animal care and being comfortable around all types of animals is recommended
• Experience less than one year

Please apply by sending cover letter and resume to Shelby Proie, Wildlife Director at [email protected].