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Oatland Island Wildlife Center
Animal Care Internship and Volunteer Information
Thank you for your interest in joining the animal care staff at Oatland Island
Wildlife Center. In general, interns and volunteers work as keeper assistants in our
animal care department and will typically be assigned to work with a keeper on a day to
day basis. Interns/Volunteers assist paid staff with any duties related to the care of our
animals and their habitats, as well as general park operations such as trash pickup and
grounds keeping. Animal husbandry duties include diet preparation, exhibit and holding
area maintenance and cleaning, conducting observations for signs of animal health,
recordkeeping, and designing and providing approved environmental enrichment for our
collection. Interns may also be asked to complete an assigned project under the
discretion of senior zookeepers and/or the Supervisor of Animal Programs.
The internship program at Oatland is designed to provide training and experience
to those candidates seeking to work in an animal related field, and prefers candidates that
are perusing a degree in biology or a related discipline. Internship/Volunteer positions
can be extremely rewarding to an animal lover or wildlife enthusiasts but do not
guarantee contact with all of the animals on the property and will not provide physical
contact with most of the animals for safety reasons. Oatland Island also offers internship
opportunities to individuals who are pursuing a career in Veterinary Medicine.
We require a minimum of 150 hours. Those seeking a longer term may be
eligible to continue after the completion of the 150 hours and upon evaluation. At this
time, Internships within the animal care department are voluntary and do not qualify for a
stipend at this time. If your college supports your time here as appropriate for school
credit, we are happy to fill out any paperwork typically required to document your
efforts. Oatland can not provide any housing for interns at this time. Internships are
currently offered on a rolling, as needed basis. Interns must agree to provide a minimum
of 15 hours per week and Oatland will give preference to those candidates that can
provide more hours. Those individuals seeking a Veterinary Internship will work out the
details of the requirements with our Veterinarian / Supervisor of Animal Programs.
The majority of animals in Oatland’s collection consist of habituated wild animals
that were either born in captivity or injured in the wild, and therefore non-releasable.
Working with animals is an inherently dangerous endeavor and applicants should be
aware that risks are involved with the position. Safety protocols are in place for this
purpose and interns/volunteers will be asked to respect such protocols at all times or they
will be asked to leave the position.
Animal husbandry is by nature a very messy and physically strenuous job, and
interns must be able to meet the physical requirements of the position and perform tasks
in a timely and efficient manner. Keepers and interns work outside in all manner of
weather, sometimes inclement, in a range of temperatures from freezing to 100 degree
heat. Interns will also be required to perform their duties on uneven, sometimes slippery
surfaces. It is the intern/volunteer’s responsibility to provide and wear appropriate
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clothing and footwear. Waterproof, closed toed shoes such as hiking boots and/or rubber
boots are a necessity. Clothing should be of a proper and modest fit and slogans should
be of a non-offensive manner.
Requirements:
Must be 17 years of age and have a valid driver’s license and a high school diploma/GED
Must be able to commit to a schedule providing a minimum of 15 hours/week
Must be willing to work holidays and weekends if necessary
Must maintain a current tetanus vaccination (within 5 yrs)
Must provide a negative TB test result within the last year
Must be able to climb ladders and stairs
Must be able to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds
Must be able to load and operate wheel barrows loaded up to 150 pounds
Must be able to operate small machinery such as weed eaters and mowers
Must be agile and flexible enough to maneuver around animals and enclosures
Must have average vision and hearing
Must be in good physical condition and able to work efficiently and with stamina.
Contact Information:
Carrie Newton
Senior Animal Care Technician
[email protected]
Oatland Island Wildlife Center
711 Sandtown Road
Savannah, GA 31410