Address: 13508 State Route 9 SE,
Snohomish, WA 98296
As development encroaches on wildlife habitat, PAWS’ nationally recognized wildlife rehabilitation center rehabilitates sick, injured, and orphaned animals and educates people about peaceful co-existence with wildlife.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Interns assist and support professional Rehabilitators in the daily care of wildlife patients. Interns gain valuable, practical experience in species identification and natural history, proper husbandry techniques, animal handling, tube-feeding of mammals and birds, medication administration, lab work, and other procedures. Internships are intense, physically demanding, and fast-paced.
Summer internships may have a focus on Juvenile Songbird Wildlife Rehabilitation in our Baby Bird Nursery. Interns will be assigned to this role based on availability, skill level, and start date.
Job Duties
- Hand-feed infant mammals (includes tube feeding)
- Set up and clean animal enclosures
- Preparing diets (includes dead prey and/or live insects)
- Administer daily medications
- Gavage feeding and fluid administration
- Laundry, dishes, and general cleaning
- Working with and providing support for Wildlife Care Assistant volunteers
- Other tasks as required
- Avian-specific tasks include hand-feed hatchling and nestling birds and supervising/supporting Bird Nursery Caretaker volunteers in a variety of tasks
Qualifications
Applicants must be current college students or high school graduates, recent college graduates, or career changers, possess a strong interest in wildlife rehabilitation, and be able to:
- Read, write, and speak English fluently
- Work independently and as a part of a team
- Perform tedious tasks for long periods of time
- Do rigorous outdoor work in all types of weather
- Perform physically demanding tasks and lift up to 40lbs
- Work quickly, efficiently, and calmly under stressful conditions and handle multiple responsibilities while precisely following instructions and protocols
- Work cooperatively with co-workers (volunteers, interns, and staff)
- Represent PAWS professionally at all times
Learning Opportunities
In addition to the day-to-day skills interns will be learning, PAWS internships include a variety of continuing education classes. These include:
- Wildlife Ethics and Scenarios
- Preventative Care
- Fracture Stabilization
- Radiology/Radiographs
- Feather Imping
- Wound Care
- Advanced Skills Courses
Internship Terms
- We are currently only offering spring and summer internships for 2024.
- For Juvenile Songbird Wildlife Rehabilitation, internships are available May—August (these interns should be able to start by late April or early May).
- Successful candidates must commit to a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks.
- Interns work 40 hours per week including weekend and holiday work. One weekend day is required.
- From April 1st to September 30th, full-time summer shifts are: 7:00am – 5:30pm and 11:30am – 10:00pm. Schedules are consistent throughout the internship and will be provided after a mentor is assigned.
- Internships are unpaid.
- Housing and transportation assistance are not provided.
Application Instructions
If you are interested in applying for an internship at the PAWS Wildlife Center, please read the Wildlife internship application process below carefully.
Please submit the following to apply:
The following documentation can be attached to the Internship Questionnaire or emailed separately to Selah Ross at [email protected].
- Letter of Intent: Please tell us about your career goals and what you hope to gain from the internship, as well as your qualifications and what you can bring to the position
- Current Resume
Alternatively, you can mail your application to:
Selah Ross, Wildlife Volunteer Program Manager
PAWS
PO Box 1037
Lynnwood, WA 98046
Please note: Only applicants who follow the instructions and complete the application process in full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.
Deadlines
There are no deadlines for the Spring and Summer internships, and applications are reviewed as they are received. Opportunities will be offered to qualified candidates on a first-come, first-serve basis, as start dates are flexible and depend upon the applicant. Our seasons are as follows:
Spring Internships: March – May/June
Summer Internships (Early): May – June/August
Summer Internships (Late): June – September/October
The Decision Process
You will receive an email confirmation of our receipt of your application materials. We regret that we are unable to respond to status inquiries over the phone. Applications will continue to be reviewed until positions are full on a first come first served basis.
Applicants will be notified by email should they be chosen to participate in an interview.
Questions?
Email Selah Ross, Wildlife Volunteer Program Manager at [email protected].