College Internship
An internship at Iowa Bird Rehabilitation (IBR) offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with Iowa’s native wild birds. Interns develop essential skills in bird handling, cleaning procedures, habitat enrichment, diet preparation, feeding techniques, and overall animal care.
Our internships focus on providing practical training in wildlife rehabilitation, not veterinary medicine. This experience helps prepare students for the workforce, offering a real-world understanding of nonprofit operations and wildlife care. Interns leave with valuable skills, professional insight, and unforgettable memories.
Our internships focus on providing practical training in wildlife rehabilitation, not veterinary medicine. This experience helps prepare students for the workforce, offering a real-world understanding of nonprofit operations and wildlife care. Interns leave with valuable skills, professional insight, and unforgettable memories.
Expectations
As an intern at IBR, you will be expected to work hard, stay curious, and get messy. Daily feeding, cleaning, and care activities are key opportunities to learn from our wild patients. We’re looking for individuals who take initiative, show compassion, and are eager to learn through hands-on experience.
Please note that there is no “cuddle time” with the birds. Our mission is to heal and release—to return healthy birds to the wild as quickly and safely as possible. We are a professional wildlife rehabilitation center, and our patients and facilities must be treated accordingly.
We hope your internship with us will help you explore potential careers in wildlife and conservation. In return, we ask for enthusiasm, maturity, and a strong work ethic. Interns quickly become an integral part of the IBR team, contributing directly to the care and recovery of Iowa’s wild birds.
As an intern at IBR, you will be expected to work hard, stay curious, and get messy. Daily feeding, cleaning, and care activities are key opportunities to learn from our wild patients. We’re looking for individuals who take initiative, show compassion, and are eager to learn through hands-on experience.
Please note that there is no “cuddle time” with the birds. Our mission is to heal and release—to return healthy birds to the wild as quickly and safely as possible. We are a professional wildlife rehabilitation center, and our patients and facilities must be treated accordingly.
We hope your internship with us will help you explore potential careers in wildlife and conservation. In return, we ask for enthusiasm, maturity, and a strong work ethic. Interns quickly become an integral part of the IBR team, contributing directly to the care and recovery of Iowa’s wild birds.
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Recommended Qualifications
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Requirements
• Must be 18 years or older to apply • Must be proficient in English • Must provide proof of current tetanus vaccination • Commit to a minimum of 20 hours per week for the full length of the internship • Available hours: 9am–9pm (shifts: 9am–1pm, 1–5pm, or 5–9pm) • Expect to spend 10–20 hours per week standing, walking, bending, twisting, and lifting • Must be available at least 4–5 days per week • Morning, afternoon, evening, weekend, and holiday shifts are required Hours Required
• Spring/Fall Semester: 135 hours over 16 weeks • Summer: 240 hours over 12 weeks |
