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Conservation Education Internships

Conservation Education High School/ Pre-Professional

Internship Program

 

Program Description

The internship programs at the Ohio Wildlife Center are career exploration and skill-building, hands-on programs in a working wildlife education center setting.  OWC works with area schools and students to schedule internships of varying lengths and hours for experience in the selected area of interest, primarily wildlife interpretation and animal husbandry.

 

Skill Sets and Courses of Study

 

Problem Solving and Thinking Skillfully

Perform basic record keeping functions

Apply analytical skills in husbandry operations and biosurvey techniques

Perform husbandry and enrichment tasks

Analyze behavior and enrichment needs

Develop an enrichment plan for at least one animal

Evaluate enclosure and exhibit design for safety and use by the animal and the keepers

Examine exhibit design for the visiting public

Evaluate signage and education material  for public use

Identify techniques for meeting the public’s needs while serving the animal’s needs

Apply problem solving tool used by OWC to identify problems and possible solutions as well as a plan to initiate solutions or resolutions

 

Effective Communication

Build co-worker and customer relations

Communicate using telecommunications tools

Deliver interpretive programs

Prepare written documents for enrichment and animal records

Apply the OWC weekly objectives and resource tool in working directly with mentor

 

Working Responsibly

Evaluate issues related to leadership and managerial ethics

Analyze ethical husbandry practices

Evaluate issues related to employee/volunteer ethics

Identify the relationship between state and federal laws and wildlife rehabilitation and education captive animal collections management, use and justification

 

 

Managing Resources

Perform scheduling functions

Conduct meetings or other group functions

Manage inventory

Perform data entry and mail functions

 

Planning and Managing a Career

Explore career aspects in fields of biology, animal science, ethology, wildlife management, interpretive science and public presentation

Interview mentors and other OWC professionals to investigate professional development

Analyze personnel policies and procedures

Apply the intern Source Review and Goal setting tool

 

Applying Technology

Analyze the role of technology and uses in the conservation/animal husbandry setting

Perform desktop functions for record or husbandry functions or wildlife program development

Reproduce documents

Create spreadsheets for business application

Learn how to use the various specialized tools for measuring, weighing, examining and testing animals, tissues or related biological survey samples

 

Pre-Professional Characteristics

Internships at OWC provide students opportunities for growth and development in the following areas, which also make up part of the evaluative tools (intern reviews)

 

Punctuality

Human Relations – courteous, friendly, respectful, team work, cooperative, handles pressure

Attitude – Works to improve, asks questions, shows initiative, enthusiastic, flexible, follows policy, risks mistakes, takes action, accepts responsibility for completing tasks

Personal Appearance – appropriate dress and consideration for tasks and animals involved

Quality of Work – sets goals, completes work timely, with care, accurately; time management, checks own work, can think for his or herself

Accuracy of Skill performance – operating equipment, tools, computers, records; husbandry skills, interpretive program skills

Communication – communicates well orally, conveys information and ideas effectively; listens, good writing skills, clearly expresses ideas

Personal and Professional Development – Initiative, cooperation, social skills, etiquette, adaptability, learns new tasks, skills, takes action for self-improvement

 

Requirements

*  A minimum of 6 weeks per internship

*  Must attend required Animal Care and Animal Handling training classes, and commit to an agreed shift schedule of Animal Care training rotations.

*  Ability to work both independently and as a team member is essential.  Good organizational skills, communication skills (especially written and record keeping) and flexibility is important to succeed at and enjoy this task. Desire to work with wild animals and ability to understand and practice the relatively ‘hands-off’ nature of these species, versus the ‘hands-on’ nature of domestic animals such s dogs or cats.

 

 

Send cover letter and resume to:
Barbara Ray

Director of Conservation Education

bray@ohiowildlifecenter.org

or by mail:
Attn: Barbara Ray
Ohio Wildlife Center
6131 Cook Rd.
Powell, OH 43065

The Red-tailed hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey found throughout North America. It is generally non-aggressive toward humans and other birds and is an opportunistic feeder with a diet mostly of small mammals. Raccoons are opportunistic eaters and can be avoided by keeping garbage and compost piles secure, and keeping pet food inside. Photo by Scott Schisler American bullfrogs are common in Ohio and recognized by their deep, throaty song. Photo by Dr. Don Burton Canada goslings are born in the spring and by fall are mature and ready to fly south with their flock. Photo by Katherine Clifton Coyotes were introduced to Ohio and have thrived in urban environments. This coyote, Hope, was unreleasable because she was hand-raised by humans before sent to OWC, and so lacks certain survival skills. Photo by Sue Simunich Mother deer tell their fawns to stay still and low (often curled up) all day while she is away. She will return at dusk and likely move them to a new spot. This is a safety precaution for the fawns, but many times fawns are mistaken to be orphans because of it. Photo by Scott Schisler Black rat snakes are native Ohio snakes. This snake resides at OWC because of injuries that would compromise its ability to survive in the wild. Photo by Sue Simunich. The Chukar is a game-bird in the pheasant family, originally from Asia but introduced to the United States. This Chukar is Tori, who resides at OWC. Photo by Sue Simuncich This male American Kestrel also resides at OWC and can be seen at the center’s outdoor wildlife display. Photo by Deb Keller You may see Eastern Gray squirrels like this in your backyard, consuming seeds, acorns, insects, eggs and other nuts. Photo by Sue Simunich The population of the Leopard frog is decreasing due to pollution and deforestation. They are often good indicators for environmental problems because of their sensitivity to chemical pollutants found both in the air and the water. Photo by Sue Simunich Most Snapping turtles eat plants, small mammals, fish and birds and are quick to take off your finger if you get too close. Photo by Sue Simunich Despite what it looks like, those big tuffs on the top of this Great-horned owl’s head are not ears. To predators, they may look like an easy way to grab the owl, but they are actually just feathers. Photo by Sue Simunich The American Bald Eagle is an endangered species. Photo by Katherine Clifton Male Cardinals are recognized by their bright red appearance. Photo by Scott Schisler The Eastern Fox snake resides in Ohio, Michigan and parts of Canada in flat, marshy areas. Fox snakes will eat primarily small rodents, but will also eat small birds, rabbits and other small animals. Photo by Sue Simunich The wings of the male Kestrel are slate-blue. Females are rusty to match the back feathers. Photo by Deb Keller Flying squirrels are one of the most common squirrels in Ohio, although they are rarely seen because they are nocturnal (meaning they are awake at night time). Photo by Deb Keller Red fox kits stay with their mother and siblings for several months and then go off on their own typically in July. Foxes are generally shy animals. Photo by Scott Schisler The Painted turtle is a reptile that is common in southern Canada, the US, and Mexico and is related to other water turtles like sliders and cooters. They live in ponds, marshes, and slow-moving rivers with muddy bottoms. Photo by Deb Keller Great horned owls hunt at night by waiting on a high perch to swoop down on prey. They eat small to medium-sized mammals like rats, voles, skunks and rabbits. Photo by Deb Keller Blanding’s turtles are a semi-aquatic species found mostly near the Great Lakes regions. Photo by Sue Simunich The Virginia Opossum is about the size of a house cat and “plays dead” as a defense mechanism from predators. Photo by Sue Simunich White-tailed deer have been forced to adapt to urban environments as their natural home is being destroyed by human development. Photo by Katherine Clifton Canada geese are dedicated parents and very social. When one goose is fatigued while flying, they will make sure it is not alone while it rests and will fly in shifts. Photo by Katherine Clifton Bobwhite quails are ground-dwelling birds found in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Photo by Deb Keller Raccoon mothers will call out to their young should they fall from a tree or get lost. As long as she sees them or hears their cries, she will do whatever it takes to retrieve them. Photo by Owen DeWolfe In flight, Red-tailed hawks flap as little as possible to conserve energy. Their flight is slow and deliberate, with deep beats of their wings. Photo by David Harrison The male Red-winged Blackbird fiercely defends his territory during the breeding season. He may spend more than a quarter of all the daylight hours in territory defense. He vigorously keeps all other males out of the territory and defends the nests from predators. He will attack much larger animals, including horses and people. (birds.cornell.edu) Photo by Tripp Braden