Facility
Black Pine Animal Sanctuary
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Need more experience to land that full-time job of your dreams? We offer a very diverse animal population for you to meet while honing your animal husbandry skills. Our exotic animal care internship program has been completed by over 100 young adults who have gone on to land some of the most sought-after jobs in the animal care world! Former interns have gone on to employment at:
The Shedd Aquarium
Brookfield Zoo
Phoenix Zoo
Potawatomi Zoo
Birmingham Zoo
Columbian Park Zoo
Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo
Kansas City Zoo
Frank Buck Zoo
Dallas Zoo
Tulsa Zoo
Northwest Trek
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Louisville Zoo
SeaWorld Orlando
Honolulu Zoo
Sedgwick County Zoo
Denver Zoo
Zooquarium at Cape Cod
Yosemite National Park
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Oasis Sanctuary
…. and others, as well as veterinary clinics and research facilities across the nation!
You will be fully immersed into learning and carrying out the daily animal husbandry needs for animals of all kinds. Our internship program is not limited to one area of the sanctuary; it encompasses the entire facility and brings responsibilities that will develop your skills in leadership, problem-solving, creative thinking, public speaking, and mentoring.
While you learn, you will be supported by professionals who have “been where you are”, and work side by side with dedicated and experienced volunteers who are here because they want to be here! Our teamwork environment is unparalleled!
Your service during your internship will be to meet the needs of over 100 displaced, captive-raised large and small carnivores, primates, reptiles, grazing animals, birds, and a variety of small mammals for the REST of their lives! Our animal residents are all voluntarily surrendered former pets, performers, and confiscated from failed exploiters, breeders, and others. Your service helps save and change lives.
Black Pine does not buy, sell, breed, trade, seek out, or use animals for entertainment or commercial gain. We are a 501c3 charitable organization that provides permanent refuge to animals in need and educates people about responsible animal care.
Education and Pre-requisites
Our ideal candidates will be college enrolled or graduates seeking a career in an animal care-related field (zoology, veterinary technology, veterinary medicine, etc.)
Must be at least 18 years old with valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Must be able to make a firm commitment to ten weeks on our site to complete a minimum of 400 total hours of service.
Must be available to work weekdays and willing to work some weekends and holidays.
Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds routinely.
Must be able to stand/walk for extended periods of time.
Must be able and willing to read and follow verbal and written work instructions and work independently.
Must be willing to assist with occasional non-animal care needs at the sanctuary.
Must be able to commit to upholding all Sanctuary safety and personnel policies, and support the overall non-profit mission.
Must provide proof of tetanus/booster shot within past seven years and a negative tuberculosis (TB) skin test result.
Compensation and benefits
This internship is unpaid, and no stipends are offered. We do, however, provide housing in a furnished two-bedroom apartment within a mile of our site for candidates selected that do not live or cannot commute from a nearby location. Housing availability is limited to 2-3 interns at a time, but is offered year-round.
Application instructions
Please submit the following:
Complete the Online Application at http://blackpine.org/index.php/how-to-help/internships#Apply
Within the application you may attach:
A cover Letter explaining why you are interested in the program and why you should be accepted into the program.
Resume
Two letters of recommendation
If unable to attach documents at time of application, pleaes email them separately to lori@blackpine.org
OR Mail to:
Black Pine Internships
P.O. Box 02
Albion, IN 46701
Applications are accepted year-round.