Environmental Education Internship

Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center: 

The mission of the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release native and migratory wild birds that have been harmed or displaced, to provide or locate a humane shelter for those birds that cannot be released, and to educate the public towards the importance of coexistence with all wild bird species. 

Job Description:

Have you ever dreamed of living on an island and working in the field of environmental education? The Florida Keys Wild Bird Center’s Environmental Education Internship program offers a full-time internship program including a $250 bi-weekly stipend and free housing in our shared intern house on-site.  This seasonal position will run from January 26th to mid-May. 

Job Summary: 

The Environmental Education Intern is a supporting role and involves participating in all aspects of education programs and outreach efforts for the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center in the upper Florida Keys. Education efforts include field trips, public bird releases, afterschool programs, tours of our sanctuary, and all other public educational events for audiences of all ages. Outreach/community efforts include providing content for social media platforms, attending offsite events, tabling events, and other non-profit related events. This position also includes handling our species ambassadors, which can include a raptor, snake, and invertebrates. 

The Environmental Education Intern position is a full-time, stipend, seasonal position lasting 4 months and may include some holidays, weekends, and evening hours. Typically the Environmental Education Intern works a 5-day (Monday through Friday), 40 hour work week with occasional weekend events or programs, not to exceed 40 hours a week. The goal of this position is to provide well-rounded experience to build towards a career with non-profits as well as environmental education and community outreach.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Work on an independent project approved and supported by the Outreach Coordinator over the course of the internship
• Assist Outreach Coordinator with running and delivering educational programming on and off site
• Lead guided tours of the hospital and sanctuary for school groups and guests as scheduled
• Manage sanctuary gift shop and education table, answer questions and direct visitors
• Set up and run educational booths at off-site events
• Assist with development and implementation of educational programs
• Aid in planning and setup for fundraising events
• Attend public bird releases
• Assist with after hour events as needed
• Assist in gift shop operations, inventory and greeting guests
• Respond to the public’s curiosity and questions about the organization (i.e. the mission, sanctuary information, bird advice, bird injuries, etc.)
• Network with other environmental education organizations to form collaborative efforts
• Assist with content for social media including pictures, videos and captions
• Assist with volunteer group programming
• Represent the FKWBC at events as scheduled

Minimum Requirements: 

• At least 21 years of age
• Currently pursuing or recent graduate with an environmental or education focused degree or a related field
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and work in hot, humid, and rainy weather conditions
• Ability to adapt to a changing work schedule to accommodate events that occur on weekends
• Comfortable with handling animals including birds and reptiles 
• Knowledge of basic biological principles and ability to quickly master Florida Keys ecology
• Ability to teach to people of all ages
• Public speaking experience
• Possess strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Possess effective time management skills with the ability to plan, organize, and adapt
• Self-motivated, confident, and disciplined with a strong work ethic and positive attitude
• Able to respect FKWBC property as smoke- and drug-free zones
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record