Overview

Now in its second century, Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Audubon’s mission is engaging people in bird conservation on a hemispheric scale through science, policy, education and on-the-ground conservation action. By mobilizing and aligning its network of Chapters, Centers, State and Important Bird Area programs in the four major migratory flyways in the Americas, the organization will bring the full power of Audubon to bear on protecting common and threatened bird species and the critical habitat they need to survive. And as part of BirdLife International, Audubon will join people in over 100 in-country organizations all working to protect a network of Important Bird Areas around the world, leveraging the impact of actions they take at a local level. What defines Audubon’s unique value is a powerful grassroots network of nearly 500 local chapters, 23 state offices, 41 Audubon Centers, Important Bird Area Programs in 50 states, and 700 staff across the country. Audubon is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Position Summary

Aullwood Audubon is an education center and farm devoted to enriching lives through education and stewardship of birds and ecosystems. The Animal Care internship provides training and support as interns learn and apply new skills and knowledge that relate to caring for of a wide variety of animals in a public farm setting.

Interns are required to reside in on-site housing provided by Audubon as a condition of employment, living on-site will contribute to an overall experience and understanding of the daily requirements of running a nature center and farm. The intern house is fully furnished and each intern has their own bedroom and a shared living room, kitchen, dining room and bathroom. Interns are not charged rent to live in the intern house and utilities are covered by Aullwood. The intern house is located by the Nature Center.

Animal Care interns typically work 35 hours per week and are paid an hourly wage. Duties primarily take place Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., but also include alternating weekends and evenings. While there will be opportunities to help out at the nature center, the Animal Care Intern will work primarily at the farm.

Dates of Employment: May 11 – August 7, 2020

National Audubon Society is dedicated to building a culturally diverse organization and strongly encourages applications from people of color and women.

Essential Functions

  • Be trained to correctly perform daily and weekly farm chores taking care of horses, cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, goats, etc. Responsibilities include morning and afternoon feedings, stall cleaning and providing enrichment activities for the animals.
  • Help maintain pristine living quarters for all animals by cleaning stalls, maintaining barns and helping with the overall upkeep of the farm.
  • Learn how to maintain a safe, secure, healthy and humane environment for all animals.
  • Assist with maintaining and keeping detailed animal care records.
  • Assist the Large Animal Veterinarian Tech with maintenance of the educational garden growing fruits, vegetables and flowers that are safe for consumption by various farm animals. Maintenance of the garden includes watering, pruning, deadheading plants, weeding, mulching, fertilizing, and conducting integrated pest management.
  • Learn how to develop lesson plans and teach Summer Earth Adventures classes (day camps) for children age 2 years old through 7th grade with a focus on natural history and farming. Activities may include nature hikes, pond/creek exploration, farm chores, working with animals, gardening and more.
  • Learn how to develop lesson plans for Summer Earth Adventures classes for children age 2 years old through 7th grade.
  • Learn how to greet visitors, take admission for Aullwood property, answer phone calls and operate the front desk.
  • Learn basic ecological concepts and natural history.
  • Assist Aullwood staff in executing special events.
  • Assist with various assigned projects throughout the internship.
  • Learn to perform water quality testing.
  • Help support day to day operations of Aullwood Audubon.

Internship Benefits:

  • Animal husbandry of different domestic animals and their uses.
  • Independent planning and execution of specific tasks.
  • Gain valuable work experience and develop and refine professional skills.
  • Networking opportunities with environmental professionals.
  • Experience teaching and public speaking to groups of all ages.
  • Learn Ohio natural history.
  • Valuable carpentry and mechanical maintenance skills.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Ability to commit to working the span of the intern session.
  • Currently enrolled in a higher learning institution and have ­­completed freshman year of college majoring in Agriculture Management, Animal Behavior, Animal Biology, Animal Science, Veterinary Sciences, Zoology or a related field.
  • Experience working with farm animals is preferred.
  • Willingness to work with all types of animals (large and small), as well as perform tasks for their care such as milking animals if necessary and cleaning stalls of bedding and manure.
  • Willingness to work off-hours or after-hours in order to care for sick, pregnant/baby animals or respond to an emergency.
  • Be self-motivated, able to follow directions, work independently and have exceptional interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent ability to communicate and interact with the general public.
  • A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.