The Wildlife Center of Virginia (WCV) is accepting applications for a thirteen month Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship for 2027/2028 cycle. This exciting opportunity provides individuals with foundational animal care experience who are interested in pursuing a career in wildlife rehabilitation with hands-on experience at one of the nations' leading teaching and research hospitals in wildlife and conservation medicine. 

 

Located in the heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, WCV’s mission is to "teach the world to care about and care for wildlife and the environment." Since its founding in 1982, WCV has provided care to more than 100,000 wild animals, with an annual caseload of approximately 4,500 patients, representing more than 200 native species. 

 

This unique internship offers the opportunity to work alongside experienced wildlife rehabilitators and veterinary professionals while learning to care for a wide range of injured, sick and orphaned wildlife. Interns will gain experience in animal husbandry, nutrition, animal behavior, medical treatments, and release preparedness, while also supporting WCV’s outreach and education efforts.  

Internship Overview & Responsibilities

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship is a full time, thirteen month long advanced training program in daily animal care, helping train students and volunteers and participating in other rehabilitation projects. The ideal start date is January 2027, with a start no later than February 2027.

 

Under the supervision of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Supervisor and three certified wildlife rehabilitators. The intern will work with a wide range of Virginia native wildlife including anything from a hummingbird to a black bear, raptors, reptiles and fawns. 

 

1. Animal Care

• Daily feeding, cleaning, and enrichment for patients, with opportunities to assist with non-releasable ambassador animal care.  
• Assist with the primary care and hand rearing of orphaned wildlife including black bear cubs, small mammals, white-tailed deer, raptors and other avian species.  
• Learn and apply outcome-based husbandry to encourage natural behavior and prepare patients for release.  
• Participate in clinical rounds, patient intake, medical treatments, behavioral assessments, and release preparation under staff supervision and independently trained. 
• Participate in specialized raptor care activities such as imping and creancing, and general raptor conditioning, once trained. 
• Maintain meticulous dietary and progress diet records for all reptile patients. Including maintenance and water quality monitoring.  

• Help train and mentor rehabilitation externs, animal care volunteers, and veterinary students, and coordinate the Extern Enrichment Project. 
• Lead educational sessions and present at the Center's annual Call of the Wild wildlife rehabilitation conference. 
• Assist in evaluating and enhancing husbandry protocols for a variety of species. 
• Professional development, have the option to sit for the IWRC Associate Wildlife Rehabilitator (AWR) certification exam. 

• Serve as one of the House Leaders for the student house, helping orient and support new externs.  
• Conduct check-in and checkout walkthroughs and coordinate room assignments with the LVT Intern or Volunteer Coordinator. 
• Assist with logistics such as extern transport flying into Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport or Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport between 9am and 5pm. 

• Act as on-call support for after-hours hotline. 
• Assist with seasonal maintenance and grounds upkeep of animal enclosures. 
• Conduct and present independent research project related to wildlife rehabilitation or welfare, with the opportunity to publish in a professional wildlife journal. 
• Assist with other special projects and initiatives that support the center’s mission and improve patient outcomes. 

• Pre-exposure rabies vaccination and/or an acceptable titer within the last two years  
• Associate’s or bachelor's degree preferred but not required. 
• Proven reliability, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment. 
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. 
• Excellent interpersonal communication and professionalism in interacting with the public, law enforcement, and other professionals. 
• Up-to-date COVID vaccine, tetanus and influenza vaccine recommended but not required  

• Housing is provided at WCV’s Student House (shared housekeeping responsibilities among all students living in house) as well as a monthly stipend of $2,100 and additional compensation for on-call duties.
• 80 hours of vacation time (awarded upon successful 90-day evaluation). 
• 48 hours of personal time (awarded upon successful 90-day evaluation). 
• 48 hours of sick time awarded first day of employment. 
• Eligible for the Center’s 401(k) plan after six months of employment with up to 4% employer match.  
• $75 work attire reimbursement.  
• Eligible for WCV’s health insurance plan, including dental and vision; WCV pays half of the employee’s premium.  
• WCV will reimburse the IWRC’s Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator (CWR) or (AWR) test fee if a passing score is obtained. 

To Apply
Applications are open until December 1, 2026, with an ideal start date of January and no later than February 2027. Please submit your application, including a CV, letter of intent, and two reference letters, through the button below.

 

For further inquiries, please contact:

Alejandra Olvera
Wildlife Rehabilitation Supervisor
Wildlife Center of Virginia
PO Box 1557
Waynesboro, VA 22980
[email protected]

No phone calls, please. Center phone lines are best kept open for wildlife 
emergencies.

The Wildlife Center of Virginia (WCV) is an equal opportunity employer. WCV will not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical condition), disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, citizenship, or any other class protected by applicable law.  We reserve the right to alter, change, modify, and/or terminate this job posting at any time without notice, or obligation, to any party.