Internship Opportunities

WILDLIFE REHABILITATION INTERNSHIP The Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) at the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve (Mission-Aransas NERR) and University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) is excited to offer internship opportunities to undergraduates, recent graduates needing experience, or those needing wildlife rehabilitation experience and training.

This internship will cover all aspects from wildlife rehabilitation guidelines and permitting to the rehabilitation process itself. Interns will experience all aspects from phone triage to intake through release of a variety of sea turtle and avian species. This is a non-paid opportunity.

INTERNSHIP ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Interns will gain experience in wildlife rehabilitation by:

• Learning and applying federal and state wildlife rehabilitation guidelines and permitting requirements.
• Participating in all aspects of patient care including triage, intake, daily husbandry, health assessments, and release.
• Developing enrichment plans for resident animals and patients by the end of the internship.
• Engaging in public education through phone calls, outreach events, and social media content.
• Performing essential support tasks such as cleaning workspaces, dishes, laundry, sweeping, mopping, scrubbing enclosures, pools, and kennels.

REQUIREMENTS

We are looking for individuals who:

• Can commit 12–24 hours per week for 3 months (flexible scheduling).
• Can handle physically demanding work including lifting up to 40 lbs., working in less than ideal weather, and preparing diets with whole prey items.
• Have strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Are dependable, with advance notice required for missed shifts.
• Can work independently and as part of a team.

INTERNSHIP LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Wildlife Rehabilitation Standards: Enclosure guidelines and care requirements for wildlife in captivity.
• Laws & Regulations: Federal and state permitting requirements.
• Species Identification: Identifying sea turtles and birds and applying natural history to care, feeding, and release decisions.
• Wildlife Handling: Safe and appropriate handling techniques for avian and sea turtle species; PPE use.
• Health & Behavior: Recognizing stress, health issues, and common conditions; assisting with exams and pre-release assessments.
• Feeding & Nutrition: Diet preparation, vitamin supplementation, and monitoring healthy growth and development.
• Enclosures: Proper sanitation and stress-minimizing enclosure practices.
• Enrichment: Designing, testing, and documenting enrichment items for resident and rehabilitating animals.
• Wildlife Disease: Understanding parasites, zoonoses, quarantine, and sanitation methods.
• Record Keeping: Documenting animal intake, disposition, daily care, weights, and feeding in electronic databases.

INTERNSHIP BENEFITS

• Hands-on experience working with sea turtles and coastal avian species.
• Development of low-stress animal handling and husbandry techniques.
• Training in wildlife rehabilitation standards and best practices.
• Opportunities to participate in public education and outreach.
• Documented experience in wildlife rehabilitation for future career or academic applications.

HOW TO APPLY Candidates interested in the Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship 2025 should complete and submit the interest form. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. A resume is required, and a cover letter is optional but recommended.

VETERINARY EXTERNSHIP The Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) at The University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, is offering an externship opportunity for a veterinary student or veterinarian interested in wildlife rehabilitation, specifically focusing on clinical sea turtle, raptor and shorebird medicine and surgery. This hands-on experience will provide valuable skills in sea turtle and avian medicine, husbandry, and rehabilitation while supporting ARK’s mission of wildlife conservation. The internship runs from Sept 1 – December 31, 2025, with flexible start and end dates. Interns must commit to a minimum of 4 hours per week with a set weekly schedule, though some flexibility may be allowed based on intern and patient needs and caseload. This is a non-paying position.

INTERNSHIP ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Externs will gain experience in wildlife medicine by working alongside the veterinarian and assisting with: 

• Triage, physical exams, diagnostics and treatment planning of new and existing patients. 

• Maintaining veterinary records with the use of RaptorMed . 

• Participation in surgery of both sea turtles and various bird species. 

• Help develop a plan to for the ARK to obtain USDA Class C License. 

• Participation in sea turtle and bird necropsies. 

REQUIREMENTS

We are looking for individuals who: 

• A veterinarian with a Texas License or a veterinary student looking for wildlife medical experience. 

• Have strong communication skills both oral and written. 

• Can work independently and collaborate within a small team. 

• Can handle challenging conditions (e.g., long hours, inclement weather). 

• Are able to lift up to 40 lbs. 

INTERNSHIP BENEFITS

• Development of low-stress handling and restraint techniques for wildlife species. 
• Opportunity to observe and assist with surgery, endoscopy and ultrasound as applicable with wildlife cases. 
• Exposure to diagnostic and treatment plans with a focus on common presentations in coastal species. 
• Documented clinical experience working with sea turtles. 

HOW TO APPLY Candidates interested in the Veterinary Externship 2025 should complete and submit the interest form. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. A resume is required, and a cover letter is optional but recommended.

The position has been filled; interest forms will not be accepted at this time.