Avian Avenue Internship:

Manager: Kerstin Orgill

Email: korgill@worldbirdsanctuary.org 

World Bird Sanctuary annually receives over 40,000 visitors. The Avian Avenue department plays a vital part in the experience these guests have. Avian Avenue encompasses the public habitats where visitors can view resident birds, natural spaces for the community to experience native Missouri landscapes, and a self guided education experience at the sanctuary. About fifty birds reside on the Avenue at any given time in the year. Many of the birds that live on Avian Avenue are current or retired education ambassadors or they live with us due to injuries that prevent them from being successful in the wild. In addition to birds of prey, Avian Avenue includes other species such as pelicans, emus, corvids, pheasants, and more.

Interns will work alongside experienced zookeepers learning avian husbandry, cooperative animal care training, avian-specific enrichment, and habitat maintenance. Depending on the time of year, interns may also have the opportunity to learn additional skills such as avian docenting, habitat design, native plant care, and natural landscape management.

Education Internship:

Manager: Kendahl Chergosky

Email: kchergosky@worldbirdsanctuary.org 

Our Education Internship offers participants valuable experience with both animal husbandry and guest experiences. Interns will have the chance to assist with daily animal husbandry of ambassadors including raptors, parrots, and reptiles, as well as participate in the handling and training of these residents. In addition, interns in the Education department may assist with guest experiences at the Sanctuary, such as guided tours, meet & greets, educational displays, and other programs. Throughout an internship, participants will receive public speaking training, and grow their skills for creating impactful conservation messaging. This is a fast-paced work environment, and is great for aspiring Keepers that want to impact the conservation field through education.

Lower Site Internship:

Manager: Paige Schneider 

Email: pschneider@worldbirdsanctuary.org 

World Bird Sanctuary’s Lower Site focuses on species conservation through managed breeding. By taking an internship in this department, you’ll learn about the skills and resources necessary to breed both native and exotic raptor species. Our facility has hatched many different birds for release, such as the Bald eagle and the American barn owl. As our mission grows, we live up to our namesake by turning our focus to species from all over the globe, with vultures taking priority. Working behind the scenes means interns will not only get the chance to learn about propagation, but also the husbandry and training of birds in holding before their educational seasons. Anyone looking to grow their animal care skills and develop an understanding of conservation and breeding should consider an internship at the Lower Site. 

Applications for Avian Avenue, Education, and Lower Site Internships

For applicants 18 years and older
Please email the internship manager your cover letter, resume and 2 professional reference contact information

Work Environment

• Must be able to work indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to do work such as lifting, bending, stooping, and carrying 40lbs.
• Must be comfortable learning food preparation for carnivorous animals.
• Must be willing to interact in a positive and professional manner with guests.
• Must be comfortable working both in a group setting as well as independently with direction.
• Must be willing to work weekends

Compensation and Hours

• General internships are currently unpaid positions.
• We can offer a limited number of free, onsite, shared housing available for out of town interns.
• Interns typically work 40 hours a week (5 consecutive days, 8 hours with an hour lunch daily), with two days off per week which will be kept as consistent as possible.
• World Bird Sanctuary is open to the public 363 days out of the year; therefore, all positions require employees and interns to work some weekends, holidays, and evenings.
• We are happy to work with interns to receive college credit for their internship with World Bird Sanctuary.

Internship Periods & Deadlines

The exact dates are determined based on the schedules of accepted participants within the internship periods stated, in order to better accommodate school schedules and allow for everyone to start at the same time.

• Summer: May – Aug, Deadline is March 1
• Fall: Sept – Dec, Deadline is July 1
• Winter: Jan – April, Deadline is Nov 1

Raptor Rehabilitation Internship:

Director: Kira Klebe

Email: kklebe@worldbirdsanctuary.org 

Our rehabilitation internship is tailored for those pursuing a career in wildlife rehabilitation with the goal that interns be ready for a full time position in the field by the end of their internship. Interns will get hands-on experience with raptor husbandry, capture and restraint, and a variety of treatment techniques. With a full time veterinarian on-site, interns will also get to practice more advanced skills such as reading radiographs, placing catheters, avian ophthalmology, and assisting with patient monitoring during surgery. Rehab interns are scheduled for four 10 hour days/week and receive a monthly living stipend. Our rehabilitation internship is 6 months long, but 3 month internships are offered from May-August. Rolling start dates are available year round for the 6 month internship. In general, positions are filled 2 months prior to the start date. Applications submitted after that point will still be considered if openings are still available. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, 2 professional references, and your desired start month to  kklebe@worldbirdsanctuary.org .