Natural Resources Job Board

The internship program at International Bird Rescue is a rigorous, hands-on learning program that immerses participants in every aspect of the operation of an aquatic bird hospital.

Wildlife rehabilitation requires many of the skills required in an oil spill, and interns who can adjust to the pace and volume of the peak season caseload have an advantage in adapting successfully to working in an oil spill response.

Each hospital is staffed daily with at least two experienced Rehabilitation Technicians who oversee case management and facilitate the learning processes of interns and volunteers. Although interns will sometimes interact with the staff veterinarian, this is a rehabilitation, not a veterinary, internship. Volunteer interns in the rehabilitation program may be eligible for reimbursement up to $500 per month for expenses related to the internship during this three to six-month program.

Most common aquatic bird patients: herons, egrets, waterfowl, shorebirds, loons, grebes, murres and other alcids, gulls, pelicans, cormorants, and the occasional tubenose.

The Los Angeles facility is located on a scenic bluff overlooking the ocean in San Pedro, CA. This center has a consistent influx of animals year-round, with the busiest seasons often occurring in the summer and winter months. Summers feature large numbers of Brown Pelicans, while winters feature diving birds oiled from natural oil seeps off the Southern California coast.

The San Francisco Bay-Delta facility is located in Fairfield, CA, approximately one hour northeast of San Francisco, on the edge of Suisun Marsh, one of the largest wetland ecosystems in the world. Spring and summer are the busiest seasons because of a large influx of aquatic baby birds. Generally, this center raises >300 heron and egret chicks, >1,200 ducklings, and dozens of shorebirds.

Intern activities, benefits, and learning opportunities

Housing/Transportation

Interns are encouraged to reside locally and arrange for their housing. We suggest using Airbnb, subletting an apartment, renting a room, or staying with a friend or relative nearby. Please consider the commute between your living quarters and the center when researching places to stay.

Internship Parameters

Time commitment: Minimum of three months at 4 days per week from 8 AM until closing. Day lengths vary seasonally, ranging from 8-12 hrs/day. Any season may present unpredictable emergencies, such as oil spills or disease outbreaks. Interns are expected to participate in the on-site response to such emergencies and may be asked to respond off-site if necessary, at Bird Rescue’s expense.

Requirements: Previous experience handling wild birds is helpful, but not a prerequisite. The most important characteristics we look for in interns include the capacity to learn, respect for the animals, enthusiasm for the process of rehabilitation, and a willingness to complete tasks in both a team and individual environment. We accept applications from prospective interns from all over the world. You must be at least 18 years of age at the time of your proposed start date and have a valid form of ID (license/state ID for domestic interns or passport for international interns).

To apply for an internship, please submit your application To apply for an internship, please submit your application HERE. The Deadline for 2025 is March 15, 2025.

Applications require:

1. A letter of interest, including: your background/relevant interests; a description of why you would like to intern with us specifically; any additional details that we should know (ex. explanations for alternative time frames of less than 3 months)

2. A resume or curriculum vitae including a list of references

Application Process: After reviewing your application, you will be notified by email to let you know whether or not you have been selected for a phone interview. After reviewing your interview, you will be notified by email to let you know if you have been accepted to the program or not.

For questions or comments, contact us at internships@birdrescue.org