Natural Resources Job Board

The Blue Ridge Wildlife Center (BRWC) is a nonprofit full-service wildlife hospital & rehabilitation center located in Boyce, VA, caring for 3,500+ native mammals, birds, amphibians, & reptiles annually, covering 150+ species. The BRWC provides internship opportunities for interested applicants to get hands-on experience caring for these animals. 

Learning Opportunities Include: Native wildlife identification, species-specific handling techniques, husbandry, rehabilitation of injured & orphaned wildlife, animal enrichment, knowledge of wildlife diseases & toxins, community education, opportunities to assist veterinary staff, native species natural histories. 

Intern Expectations & Responsibilities: Rabies-vaccinated applicants are preferred, but vaccination is not required. Non-vaccinated applicants will not be allowed to handle rabies vector species (Raccoons, Foxes, Bats, Skunks, Groundhogs). Nonvaccinated applicants can work with small mammals, songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, reptiles, & amphibians. Full-time & part-time internship opportunities are currently only available May-August, with some flexibility available. Internships must be 12+ weeks in length. Full-time interns work 4 10+hr days/week and are preferred. Part-time interns work 2 10+hr days/week. Shared housing may be available for full-time interns only who live 50+ miles from the Center. Interns may need to work weekends & holidays. 

Interns receive a weekly stipend as follows: Full-time, no housing - $200/week. Full-time w/ housing - $100/week. Part-time - $100/week. 

Interns will have several areas of responsibility, including:
• Feeding & handling birds, mammals, and reptiles of different ages (dependent on season). 
• Cleaning and maintaining caging for a wide variety of wildlife species. 
• Preparing diets for species in care.
• Administering or assisting in administering daily drugs, therapies, supportive care, supplements, etc. 
• Keeping records on all patients and entering data into our computer database. 
• Communicating patient issues or concerns with rehab and veterinary staff. 
• Assisting staff with wildlife rescues & releases as needed. 
• General cleaning & projects required to maintain the efficiency of the facility. 
• Preparing an optional internship project according to the intern’s interests. This work is physically demanding & fast paced. Interns must be able to be on their feet, enthusiastic to learn new skills, & able to work outdoors in all weather conditions. Interns must be willing to wear a surgical-grade mask while inside the hospital.

Application Procedure: Please send a current resume & cover letter to Info@blueridgewildlifectr.org

Cover letter should include: Dates & duration of internship, whether housing is needed, whether the applicant is rabies vaccinated, whether the applicant is interested in full or part-time, and any other pertinent information. APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MARCH 1ST .