Intern at Chintimini Wildlife Center

We are excited to offer several internship opportunities in our education and animal care programs. Our internships are an exciting opportunity for students and emerging wildlife professionals to build important skills and make connections in the realm of wildlife rehabilitation and education.

Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate requests for specialized internships at this time. Please apply for only one internship program per term. For full consideration, all interns must attend a mandatory orientation. Must be 18 years of age or older to apply.

Wildlife Care Internship

Wildlife Education Internship

Wildlife Care interns assist Rehab Staff in our wildlife hospital. Interns will help to provide care to our more critical patients and young orphans. Diet prep, cage cleaning & setup, administering medications, and assisting with patient admissions/evaluations are at the forefront of the internship experience.

Animal admissions fluctuate with the seasons, which helps to create a unique experience with every term we offer. In the spring we receive an influx of young orphans, such as baby raccoons, squirrels, and songbirds. In the fall or winter, we have a much lower patient load and tend to admit emaciated raptors or collision with vehicle mammals. While there are plenty of basics to master, there is always something new to learn and experience.

Wildlife Care Internships last 6 months or 12 weeks (depending on the internship session) and can occasionally be accommodated for up to one year. Interns will report to work at Chintimini Wildlife Center for three or more 6 hour shifts per week (depending on the session) and perform animal care activities on-site.

Wildlife Education interns work directly with our animal ambassadors, tending to their daily care, training, and enrichment. Interns conduct educational programs both on- and off-site, providing engaging presentations to diverse groups within our county and surrounding areas. You’ll gain valuable skills in animal husbandry, raptor training, and public speaking, and will assist the Raptor Education Program Director as needed. Using positive reinforcement, interns help staff build and maintain a trusting relationship that empowers the birds, increases their confidence, and keeps them healthy.

Interns may include a self-directed project at the discretion of the Program Director.

Wildlife Education internships last approximately 12 weeks and can occasionally be extended one additional term. Interns will report to work at Chintimini Wildlife Center for three or more 4-hour shifts per week and perform animal care activities on-site. Some travel will be required if interns are performing off-site programming.

“An amazing opportunity you don’t want to miss out on! Each and every shift was a new and exciting experience as a wildlife care intern! The only guarantee at Chintimini was every day I got to make a difference while working with an extraordinary team. Speaking of the team, everyone at Chintimini is great and wants to see you succeed! They are extremely skilled and will give you the chance to learn so many amazing skills like subcutaneous injections, gavaging, diet preparation, medicine distribution, the list goes on! If you are looking for a once-in-life-time experience look no farther than an internship at Chintimini!” – Max Mengore, Fall 2023 Wildlife Care Intern


“If you love wildlife and are looking for an internship, this one is for you! I have had a fantastic and enriching experience throughout my time at Chintimini Wildlife, so much so that I have continued volunteering after my term completed. Being a part of this organization has allowed me not only to get experience within the field of wildlife rehabilitation, but I’ve also had the pleasure to work alongside incredible staff that are so passionate and dedicated to helping these beautiful animals. I’ve been able to learn so many valuable skills like calculating and administering medications, giving subconscious fluids, the proper identification and feeding of various animals specific to the Pacific Northwest as well as most importantly how to handle wildlife correctly. Through this internship you get to experience wildlife you might not get to see on a day to day basis and know that you’re making a difference in their lives.” – Michaela Coringrato, Fall 2023 Wildlife Care Intern 

“Going into the Birds of Prey internship was one of the best decisions of my life. It provided me with amazing hands-on experience with the daily care, training, and education around raptor ambassadors. Additionally, Bree and Kathleen are exceptional supervisors, and their continuous support of my intern goals helped me grow as a both zoologist and a person. Even without that though, getting to know the unique birds housed at this facility is worth it by itself (Pip the one-eyed Red-tailed Hawk is definitely the bestest boy in the whole world). I would definitely recommend anyone wanting to have a career in wildlife to apply for this internship! It has absolutely changed my life!”

Rachel Martin, 2021 Wildlife Education Intern

“This internship is a perfect fit for me and is accommodating enough for anyone else I can imagine participating in it in the future. I am learning skills that I will use in my future veterinary career and learning about the everyday and special efforts required to interact with and help wild animals. I’ve been so lucky to spend one on one time with the experts and passionate volunteers at Chintimini. I know this internship will become more and more competitive as word is spread. I feel really lucky to participate in it.”

Annabelle Geisler, Winter 2019 Wildlife Care Intern

“I just really love working for the center. I love all the people I work with and I feel so fulfilled being able to care for all of our animals in their most vulnerable states. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.” 

Kira Burkett, Summer & Fall 2019 Wildlife Care Intern

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