Internship Opportunities
Participate in our animal-saving mission and help us continue creating a better tomorrow for our rescues.
These are unpaid positions.
To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, and two letters of recommendations and specify which internship you are applying for. Please submit to admin@BEARSEtc.org.
Marketing Internship
Join our Marketing Team! If you enjoy writing and love digital marketing, this internship could be the perfect placement for you! All the activities are variable and dependent on project needs and the technical level of interns but offer a wonderful opportunity for you to develop your skills and experience in the communications and digital marketing field for wildlife and nature conservation.
BEARS Etc., located in Walker County, Texas, provides lifelong care to exotics and displaced wildlife. Many of our rescues are from surrendered private owners, seizures, and facility closures due to substandard care or exotic animals not eligible for reintroduction.
Your skills could help BEARS Etc. to promote our work and improve wild animal protection.
Learn More
During your internship you will work alongside our community manager. You will learn about or be involved in some of the following:
- Gain valuable work experience in digital marketing, from working on the social media marketing strategy, improving the content of social media sites, and keeping them updated.
- Communications and community management copywriting activities such as newsletters, blogs etc.
- Making videos and pictures related to the rescue, rehabilitation, of neglected and abused animals kept as a part of the exotic pet trade.
- Assisting in online fundraising campaigns.
Additional Criteria:
- Minimum 18 years old
- Excellent writing skills and an interest and knowledge in marketing, wild animals and nature
- Experience in social media platforms
- Well organized and able to meet deadlines
- Photography and video making demonstrable experience
- Good level of Adobe Photoshop, MS Office, & Google Suite,
- Interns are asked to bring a laptop with them
- Capacity to generate creative ideas and create content for different platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok
Animal Care Internship
Join our Animal Care Team! Gain valuable experience and training alongside our Animal Keepers in the care of our many rescued residents including birds, turtles, and tortoises.
Our internship program provides an unique opportunity to gain experience in exotic animal husbandry and further develop skills for animal care careers and those pursuing related fields in animal conservation, animal welfare, and biology.
Interns will gain extensive experience in animal husbandry including diet preparation and feeding, dispensing medications, habitat management including cleaning and building, animal enrichment, and interactions with the public providing tours with emphasis on the exotic pet trade and captive wildlife crisis.
Learn More
Additional Criteria:
- Applicants must be 18 years of age.
- Currently enrolled in an educational institution and working toward an an undergraduate degree
- Must have own vehicle and valid driver’s license.
- Must be willing to work in inclement weather.
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
- Must be flexible with scheduling and work hours.
- Must have current Tetanus vaccination.
Animal Nutrition Internship
Join our Animal Nutrition Team! The Animal Nutrition Intern will assist with preparing daily diets for all rescue animals under the direction of supervising personnel. Assist with inventory and quality control of all perishable foods. Assist with the cleanliness of the food preparation area and dishes.
This Internship provides work experience within a comprehensive nutrition program and includes animal food production. No direct animal contact takes place in this role.
You will work alongside the nutrition team and veterinarian to prepare and deliver balanced and enriching diets for wildlife. The intern will Track, organize, and present data on animals in our collection to the Animal staff. Work in a team environment to accomplish area tasks.
Learn More
Additional Criteria:
- Applicants must be 18 years of age.
- Must have own vehicle and valid driver’s license.
- Must be willing to work in inclement weather.
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
- Must be flexible with scheduling and work hours.
- Must have current Tetanus vaccination.
Horticulture Internship
BEARS Etc., is currently offering horticulture internships . Interns will aid in plant identification and botanical inventories, propagation, garden design and planting, maintenance, invasive removal and all other duties related to our animal sanctuary horticulture. Interns will gain experience in basic concepts and practices including, but not limited to: Tool care. Water management and conservation. All of the plants that are grown at BEARS Etc., are utilized specifically for animal meals.
Learn More
No direct animal contact takes place in this role.
Qualifications:
The major qualification is a desire to learn more about building habitat through the use of native plants. While the following qualifications will all be taken into account when filling the positions, these internships are at their heart an educational opportunity and interns can expect to learn all of the following:
- Ability to identify plants using a botanical key
- Experience with propagation, horticulture, gardening, or farming
- Experience with invasive removal
Additional Criteria:
- Ability to work in inclement weather including buggy conditions and hot, cold or wet weather
- Ability to lift 50 pounds
- Ability to handle strenuous manual labor associated with outdoor work
Education Internship
BEARS Etc., is currently offering education internships. Interns will gain hands-on experience in developing and leading educational programs and assisting with outreach initiatives. Interns will assist staff with leading tours and educational programs on site along with traveling to schools. Tours, school field trips, and group presentations are some ways we educate the public on what we do and why we do it. They will assist in the development of engaging lessons for schools, camps, and community groups. Interns will assist in creating educational materials for diverse audiences and maintain a schedule of upcoming events. Lastly, enhance public engagement through social media and in-person events.
Learn More
No direct animal contact takes place in this role.
Qualifications:
18 years of age or older.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Working towards a Bachelor’s degree in related field
Outgoing, approachable, and positive attitude.
Motivated and in charge of your own success.
Be able to lift and move 50 pounds or more.
Be able to sit or stand for long periods, bend, crouch and climb.
- Be able to work in or around water and be exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
Be available to work weekends, and holidays.