Internship Opportunities
Participate in our animal-saving mission and help us continue creating a better tomorrow for our rescues.
These are unpaid positions.
How To Apply:
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 offers a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in communications and marketing within the wildlife and nature conservation field. Responsibilities will vary based on project needs and your technical skill level, allowing you to develop and strengthen your abilities in a real-world setting.
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.
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Internship Responsibilities
During your internship, you will work alongside our Community Manager and gain hands-on experience in the following areas:
Digital Marketing
Gain digital in experience through social media strategy, content creation, and platform management
Communications
Communications and community management copywriting activities such as newsletters, blogs etc.
Media Creation
Help tell the story of rescued animals by creating photos and videos that highlight their rescue and rehabilitation from the exotic pet trade
Fundraising
Assisting in online fundraising campaigns.
Additional Criteria
- Minimum 18 years old
- Excellent writing skills and an interest in marketing and wildlife
- Experience in social media and content creation (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)
- Organized, creative, and able to meet deadlines
- Experience in photography and video production
- Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, MS Office, and Google Suite,
- Interns are asked to bring a laptop with them
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
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Internship Responsibilities
Feeding & Diet Prep
Assist with daily care tasks
Habitat Care
Help maintain and build clean, safe enclosures
Health Support
Assist with administering medications under supervision
Education & Enrichment
Support enrichment activities and engage with the public through educational tours
Additional Criteria
- Minimum 18 years old
- Currently enrolled in an educational institution and working toward an undergraduate degree
- Must own a 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! This internship provides work experience within a comprehensive nutrition program and includes animal food production.
You will work alongside the nutrition team and veterinarian to prepare and deliver balanced and enriching diets for wildlife. You will also track, organize, present data on animals in our collection to the Animal staff, and work in a team environment to accomplish area tasks.
No direct animal contact is involved
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Internship Responsibilities
Food Preparation
Assist with preparing and portioning daily diets for animals
Inventory & Quality Control
Monitor inventory and ensure the quality of perishable food items
Sanitation & Organization
Maintain cleanliness of food preparation areas and equipment
Data & Team Support
Track animal data and collaborate with staff, including the nutrition team and veterinarian
Additional Criteria
- Minimum 18 years old
- Must own a 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 focused on plant care and habitat development within our sanctuary. Interns will assist with plant identification, propagation, garden design, maintenance, and invasive species removal.
Interns will also gain experience in tool care and water management. All plants grown are used for animal meals.
No direct animal contact is involved.
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Internship Responsibilities
Plant Identification / Botany
Identify and document plant species to support habitat development and animal nutrition
Garden Maintenance
Assist with planting, maintenance, and invasive species removal within the sanctuary
Water Management
Support water conservation and irrigation practices to maintain healthy plant systems
Additional Criteria
The primary qualification is a desire to learn more about building habitat through the use of native plants. While the following qualifications will be considered when selecting candidates, this internship is designed as an educational opportunity, and interns can expect to learn and develop the following skills:
- Ability to identify plants using a botanical key
- Experience with propagation, horticulture, gardening, or farming
- Experience with invasive removal
- Must be able to work in inclement weather including buggy conditions and hot, cold or wet weather
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds
- Must be able 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.
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Internship Responsibilities
Tours & Presentations
Assist with leading tours, field trips, and group presentations
Program Development
Help create educational programs and lesson plans
Content Creation
Develop educational materials for diverse audiences
Outreach & Engagement
Support event scheduling, outreach, and public engagement
Additional Criteria
- Minimum 18 years old
- Must own a vehicle and valid driver’s license
- Must be working towards a Bachelor’s degree in a related field
- Outgoing, approachable, and positive attitude
- Motivated and in charge of your own success
- Must be able to life and move 50 pounds or more
- Must be able to sit or stand for long periods, bend, crouch and climn
- Must be able to work in or around water and be exposed to outdoor weather conditions
- Must be available to work weekends and holidays
Digital Systems Internship
BEARS Etc., is seeking a motivated intern interested in business information systems and digital tools. Interns will gain hands-on experience working with business information systems and digital tools while supporting the organization’s website and online platforms. Gain experience with content management systems, understand how digital platforms support business operations, develop skills in documentation, analysis, and project coordination.
Internship for Credit:
Students seeking academic credit must follow the requirements set by their university.
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Internship Responsibilities
Website Management
Update and maintain website content
User Experience
Improve sight navigation and organization for better usability
Content Coordination
Ensure consistency between website and social media content
Data & Analytics
Track engagement to evaluate and improve digital performance
Additional Criteria
- Minimum 18 years old
- Must be working towards a Bachelor’s degree in a related field
- Outgoing, approachable, and positive attitude
- Motivated and in charge of your own success