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Dr. Jeffrey Thomas Internship
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AVIAN KEEPER INTERN
Applications Closed for Summer 2023
Job Title: Avian Keeper Intern
Work Location: This position is located at the Carolina Raptor Center Hospital building,
located at 6000 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078. It requires reliable transportation to
commute.
Purpose of Position: The purpose of our Avian Keeper Intern is to work closely with resident bird care staff to learn about husbandry, training, and education. Interns will help care for our avian ambassadors by preparing diets, distributing food, and cleaning enclosures. They will also learn positive reinforcement training techniques and present keeper chats to our visitors to connect the public to the natural world.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Assist staff with opening and closing procedures
- Basic care of birds of prey
- Diet preparation (including supplements/medications)
- Diet distribution
- Record keeping
- General cleaning duties
- Caretaking for ambassador birds, which includes:
- Getting voluntary weights on selected birds
- Disinfecting and cleaning of enclosures
- Changing water dishes
- Observing and recording various bird behaviors
- Assist with creating, distributing, and recording behavior-based enrichment
- Learning application of techniques used in positive reinforcement training strategies
- Training and maintaining behaviors for husbandry purposes
- Training and maintaining behaviors for educational purposes
- Conducting keeper talks for a variety of audiences
Qualifications:
This position best suits individual with the following:
- At least 18 years old
- Ability to lift 50 lbs.
- Can work self-guided and with others
- Ability to work with people from all backgrounds
- Able to work in a fast-paced environment
- Must be able to positively interact with members of the public
- Follow instructions, both written and verbal
- Can work outside in all weather conditions
- Willingness to speak up and ask questions
Commitment Expectations: This is an unpaid position. Interns are required to work at least five days per week and able to work any day of the week. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.
Training: New interns will receive general volunteer onboarding training with our Volunteer
Manager, including a scavenger hunt and on-site onboarding training. In addition, there will be specific training on the day of onboarding where you will learn the following skills:
- Using a scale
- Introduction to the computer program, RaptorMed
- Bird behavior
Additional hands-on training will begin on your first day and continue throughout your first two
weeks. Throughout the internship you will also be provided the following classes:
- Anatomy of Raptors
- Common Injuries and Signs of Illness
- Health Examinations and Beak Coping
- Foot and Beak Care
- Basics of Bird Behavior
- Raptor Training Techniques
Other Requirements: You will need to pass a background check before starting, provided through Priority Background Information Solutions. A tetanus shot is highly recommended.
REHABILITATION INTERN
Applications closed for Summer 2023.
General Overview:
As a rehabilitation intern you will have the chance to participate in all aspects of the rehabilitation process, from admission to the ultimate goal of release. You will be an integral part of the rehabilitation team at Carolina Raptor Center, known for its dedication to the care of injured and orphaned raptors and for developing state-of-the-art avian medicine techniques. This internship would fit those pursuing a variety of biological careers, from pre-veterinary students to those interested in field biology.
Activities include, but are not limited to:
- Assisting with the care of injured and orphaned raptors
- Safe handling and restraint of patients while treatments are performed
- Learning to perform an examination on an injured raptor
- Administering medications and fluids
- Assisting our staff veterinarian during surgical procedures and physical therapy
- Basic husbandry skills, including feeding and cleaning of cages
- Taking calls from the public and dispatching transport volunteers to pick up injured birds
- Banding and releasing rehabilitated raptors
- Helping to maintain the health of over 100 resident raptors at the center
- Gain in-depth knowledge of raptor biology and natural history
Applicants should be self-motivated and be willing to both learn and teach skills, be able to work with a variety of staff and volunteers, and be able to adjust to somewhat unpredictable and often long hours. Because of the nature of the position, this internship has extensive bird handling. The position includes outdoor work in all types of weather. Space is limited. Applicants with college credits are given preference. A resume and references are required to be submitted with the application. Internships are offered three times a year.
Application Process:
- Rehabilitation internships require a minimum commitment of 20 hours per week, including weekends, to total a completion of 200 hours during the internship.
- Applications submitted after cut off dates will not be considered.
- Fall semester internship applications are due by June 30. (Internship runs from September to November.)
- Spring semester internship applications are due by October 31. (Internship runs from January to March.)
- Summer internship applications are due by February 28. (Internship runs from the end of May to August.)
- Exact duration of internship can be determined by the organization and intern.
Email resumes and cover letters to:
Milan Starr, Medical Coordinator
Dr. Jeffery Thomas Internship
Applications due by 4/1/2023
Stipend:
$5,000
Dates Of Internship: May - August
Schedule is flexible and dependent on student’s schedule.
Housing is unfortunately not provided at this time.
GENERAL OVERVIEW:
Work-experience focused internship that prioritizes access and opportunities for diverse populations and those who could not participate in a summer internship without funding. Interns are empowered to build industry experience at a world class facility under leading experts in the field and given the opportunity to identify, develop, and complete a unique project which is presented at the conclusion of their internship.
Eligibility:
The Jeff Thomas Internship is designed to increase access and equity in the Avian Training and Husbandry Field. Does one of the following apply to you?
- I am eligible for Federal Pell Grants
- I participate in or qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- I am a first generation college student
Avian Keeper Intern
Work Location: This position is located at the Carolina Raptor Center Hospital building, located at 6000 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078. It requires reliable transportation to commute.
Purpose of Position: The purpose of our Avian Keeper Intern is to work closely with resident bird care staff to learn about husbandry, training, and education. Interns will help care for our avian ambassadors by preparing diets, distributing food, and cleaning enclosures. They will also learn positive reinforcement training techniques and present keeper chats to our visitors to connect the public to the natural world.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Assist staff with opening and closing procedures
- Basic care of birds of prey
- Diet preparation (including supplements/medications)
- Diet distribution
- Record keeping
- General cleaning duties
- Caretaking for ambassador birds, which includes getting voluntary weights, disinfecting and cleaning enclosures, changing water dishes
- Observing and recording various bird behaviors
- Assist with creating, distributing, and recording behavior-based enrichment
- Learning application of techniques used in positive reinforcement training strategies
- Training and maintaining behaviors for husbandry purposes
- Training and maintaining behaviors for educational purposes
- Conducting keeper talks for a variety of audiences
Qualifications:
This position best suits individual with the following:
- At least 18 years old
- Ability to lift 50 lbs.
- Can work self-guided and with others
- Ability to work with people from all backgrounds
- Able to work in a fast-paced environment
- Must be able to positively interact with members of the public
- Follow instructions, both written and verbal
- Can work outside in all weather conditions
- Willingness to speak up and ask questions
Commitment Expectations: This is an unpaid position. Interns are required to work at least five days per week and able to work any day of the week. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.
Training: New interns will receive general volunteer onboarding training with our Volunteer Manager, including a scavenger hunt and on-site onboarding training. In addition, there will be hospital specific training on the day of onboarding training where you will learn the following skills:
- Using a scale
- Introduction to the computer program, RaptorMed
- Bird behavior
Additional hands-on training will begin on your first day and continue throughout your first two weeks. Throughout the internship you will also be provided the following classes:
- Anatomy of Raptors
- Common Injuries and Signs of Illness
- Health Examinations and Beak Coping
- Foot and Beak Care
- Basics of Bird Behavior
- Raptor Training Techniques
Other Requirements: You will need to pass a background check before starting, provided through Priority Background Information Solutions. A tetanus shot is highly recommended.
Email resumes and cover letters to: [email protected]