About: Seasonal Rehabilitation Internship
With over 35 years of experience in the field of raptor rehabilitation, the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program (RMRP) offers exceptional opportunities for learning about the rescue, husbandry, care and rehabilitation of a variety of raptor species.
The work can be intense, fast-paced and repetitive. As an intern at RMRP, you will be expected to work hard and get your hands dirty!
Interns will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a rehabilitation setting, and learn skills including: diet preparation, general husbandry, and safe capture and restraint of raptor patients.
There will also be opportunities to observe triage, wound care and other treatments, and releases. Interns with also participate in raptor necropsies.
All intern opportunities are unpaid positions. RMRP does not supply housing or transportation.
Time Requirements and Length of Internship:
Seasonal Interns will commit to a minimum of four months, completing a minimum of 200 hours, in two shifts per week of about 15 hrs/wk. Shifts run from 7am-12pm or 7am-6pm. The seasonal internship coincides with busy season for RMRP and starts in May and runs through August. If internship is completed in good standing, additional opportunities may become available as well as possible advancement in training in a variety of areas of raptor rehabilitation.
Requirements:
Previous experience in animal care (domestic or wildlife) is encouraged.
A degree (or degree in progress) in natural sciences, wildlife management, veterinary medicine, or veterinary technician are preferred, but we will consider interns from all disciplines. We believe that a strong interest in wildlife, enthusiasm, a strong work ethic, and willingness to learn are more important than academic qualifications.
The nature and demands of rehabilitation require prospective interns to meet the following criteria:
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Submit to and pass a background and criminal background check.
- Have a current tetanus vaccination.
- Attend intern orientation and scheduled in-person training sessions.
- Complete additional online training through google classrooms.
- Devote at least 4 consecutive months to their duties (min of 200 hours).
- Good health and fitness to perform physically demanding tasks, such as cleaning and lifting, and work outdoors in all types of weather.
- Possess good oral and written communication skills.
- Be able to learn quickly and perform various tasks in a fast paced work environment; work quickly and efficiently while following directions and procedure exactly.
- Be able to perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time.
- Be able to work independently and as a team member in collaboration with volunteers, other interns and staff.
Duties and Expectations:
Skills learned include species identification and natural history, enclosure set up and proper husbandry techniques, raptor restraint/capture, lab work and other procedures as listed below. Individual intern experience, skills and performance will determine the range of activities added to his/her responsibilities over time. Advanced duties (animal care, rehabilitation care) will not be assigned until the intern has demonstrated understanding, proficiency and reliability in basic husbandry and intermediate tasks.
- Cleaning tasks (enclosure cleaning, laundry, dishes, sweeping and mopping floors).
- Maintaining equipment, facilities, supplies.
- Food preparation (including euthanizing live prey and preparing dead prey).
- Raptor care (feeding, enclosure set up, assist with releases/rescues).
- Rehabilitation care (lab work, assist staff with intake).
- Safe capture and restraint of raptors and perform physical examinations.
- Perform raptor necropsies.
- Mouse and rat cage cleaning, feeding, and handling.
- Other tasks as required.
How to Apply:
2025 applications will open on January 1.
For further inquiries, contact Carrie Laxson, Rehabilitation and Research Assistant.