FLORIDA KEYS WILD BIRD REHABILITATION CENTER
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Intern Program Description
Our internship is designed for people with varied qualifications who want to be involved with the rehabilitation of sick and injured wild birds and within the unique environment of the Florida Keys. The candidates need to be self-starters with good mature decision and communication skills. It is a hands-on working and learning experience that deals primarily with water birds such as brown pelicans, cormorants, and herons. In the summer months we continually receive with baby passerines, doves, mockingbirds, etc.
The five-day, 40-hour workweek involves cleaning of indoor/outdoor habitats and work areas, feeding the birds (mostly fish, also chicks, rats and insects), and observing the birds’ conditions. Rehabilitation techniques will be taught in a one-on-one environment appropriate to the intern’s qualifications. The student must be willing to take part in all facets of a rehabilitation center--means getting dirty at times. Medical work includes tub feeding, fluid administration, medicating, bandaging, lab work, sterilization techniques, record keeping, and even the potential for research projects by qualified interns. Interns also have the opportunity to give interpretive tours and educational programs about the birds, their environment, and man’s impact on said environment.
We provide a small bedroom and shared kitchen, bath, and laundry facility in the Director’s residence. Pets are not usually permitted as we have several already living at the Center. Allergies to cats, dogs, squirrels, or birds would be a problem. Details of each aspect of the internship are contained in our lengthy protocol. The protocol is available upon request. The basic intern stipend, from which no taxes are deducted, is $80.00 per weeks to cover food and other living expenses.
The Florida Keys is a unique and beautiful chain of tropical islands, with a subtropical climate. Winter temperatures usually range between 65 - 85 degrees, summer temperatures are approximately 85 -90 degrees with relatively high humidity, mosquitoes and ants. A car is recommended because public transportation to shopping, activities and water sports are not close by. Carpooling with other interns is an option and the Center maintains a stick shift vehicle on the premises for bird rescues and intern errands. Do to the nature of the area; the intern can take advantage of biking, scuba diving, snorkeling, canoeing, and fishing.
While a two - four month internship here is demanding, it can also be a very enlightening and a rewarding experience.
Application Process
The applicant must send a resume 6-9 months prior to their anticipated start date. Three original letters of reference from teachers, employers, or the college cooperative educational coordinator needs to be sent around the same time as the resume. Those individuals utilizing the internship as college credit must be sure that they have completed the required curriculum/coursework.