Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Internships
Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Internships
The Florida Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center (STRC) internships offer a well-rounded, educational experience working at the Aquarium’s Apollo Beach Campus. Internship opportunities may include assisting biologists with daily husbandry duties, food preparation and feeding, and medical care and treatment.
The STRC internships are specialized internships and do not follow traditional college terms. Specialized internship terms are as follows:
- Fall/Winter: October 7, 2024 – January 26, 2025
- Winter/Spring: January 13, 2025 – May 4, 2025
- Summer: April 21, 2025 – August 3, 2025
Applications for these terms are open late summer. Available opportunities are below.
Position Summary
Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center (STRC) Commissary Interns are primarily responsible for preparing diets for rehabilitating patients, maintaining a clean work environment, and ensuring that Commissary is maintained according to the appropriate standards.
Responsibilities
All of the Interns primary responsibilities are under the direct or indirect supervision of the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation staff, unless otherwise directed. All Interns will be trained utilizing a phased training program.
- Prepare Diets:
- Follow written and oral instructions accurately regarding the type and quality of food and portion sizes.
- Inspect, sort, and clean food items as necessary.
- Cut food items to appropriate sizes and weigh diets accurately into prescribed amounts.
- Prepare and process items to ensure efficient future operations.
- Maintain Cleanliness and Sanitation:
- Maintain sanitation level appropriate for a food service area.
- Clean and disinfect all surfaces and equipment as required
- Keep all food storage areas clean and organized.
- Inventory Management:
- Inform the supervisor of low inventory items as needed.
- Participate in regular inventory checks and rotate items to ensure the First In, First Out (FIFO) rule is observed.
- Operate under strict regulatory protocols to ensure high-quality products are provided for the animals, focusing on sustainability and minimizing waste
- Assist with training and directing volunteer activities within the Commissary.
- Maintain records as needed.
- Give educational tours and presentations at the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center.
- Other duties as assigned.
Time Commitment
Scheduled shifts are between 7:00am to 5:00pm with a minimum of 30 hours a week commitment. Availability to work weekends, evenings, holidays and up to 40 hours a week, if required pending patient needs. Interns must be able to commit to the entire length of the seasonal term which they are agreeing to:
- Fall/Winter: October 7, 2024 – January 26, 2025
- Winter/Spring: January 13, 2025 – May 4, 2025
- Summer: April 21, 2025 – August 3, 2025
Qualifications
- College undergraduate student or recent graduate; background or degree in Marine Science/Biology/Ecology/Nutrition or related field preferred
- Must be able to follow federal and state animal health laws and regulations including AZA, OSHA, USFWS and FWC.
- Regular attendance and timeliness are an essential function in order to fulfill the requirements of this intern position.
- All information that is provided to you and any cases in which you are exposed too must be kept confidential – no exceptions.
- Valid driver’s license; must be able to commute to the Apollo Beach campus.
- Basic computer proficiency
- Ability to understand and follow detailed instructions
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently or as part of a team
- Positive attitude with a desire to learn
Physical Requirements
- Standing/walking during entire shift
- Standing/walking on uneven and wet surfaces
- Climbing stairs and step-stools
- Carrying/lifting up to 30 lbs.
- Squatting, scrubbing and kneeling to clean frequently
- Ability to work in a non-climate controlled facility in Florida heat and humidity.
Considerations
- Interactions with shellfish – people with allergies should be cautioned.
- Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases – individuals with a weakened immune system should be cautioned.
- Sea turtle handling is not a part of this internship.
- Internship responsibilities are not a guarantee and are subject to change, pending patient needs and intern performance.
We are not currently accepting applications.
Position Summary
Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center (STRC) Veterinary Technician Interns will work closely with our experienced veterinary and rehabilitation staff to assist with providing medical care and husbandry support for sea turtles undergoing rehabilitation.
Responsibilities
All of the Interns primary responsibilities are under the direct or indirect supervision of the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation staff, unless otherwise directed. All Interns will be trained utilizing a phased training program.
- Observe and assist in the daily medical care and treatment of sea turtles.
- Conduct diagnostic tests such as blood work, radiographs, and fecal exams.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of the rehabilitation hospital and medical equipment.
- Perform daily husbandry duties, including but not limited to:
- Diet preparation & animal feeding
- Water quality testing
- Cleaning and maintaining of turtle holding systems
- Maintaining life support systems
- General facility upkeep
- Under certain circumstances, interns may also assist with strandings, recoveries, necropsies, intakes, and/or releases.
- Operate under strict regulatory protocols.
- Give educational tours and presentations at the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center.
- Other duties as assigned
Time Commitment
Scheduled shifts are between 7:00am to 5:00pm with a minimum of 30 hours a week commitment. Availability to work weekends, evenings, holidays and up to 40 hours a week, if required pending patient needs. Interns must be able to commit to the entire length of the seasonal term which they are agreeing to:
- Fall/Winter: October 7, 2024 – January 26, 2025
- Winter/Spring: January 13, 2025 – May 4, 2025
- Summer: April 21, 2025 – August 3, 2025
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a veterinary technology program
- Must be able to follow federal and state animal health laws and regulations including AZA, OSHA, USFWS and FWC.
- Regular attendance and timeliness are an essential function in order to fulfill the requirements of this intern position.
- All information that is provided to you and any cases in which you are exposed too must be kept confidential – no exceptions.
- Valid driver’s license; must be able to commute to the Apollo Beach campus.
- Basic computer proficiency
- Ability to understand and follow detailed instructions
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently or as part of a team
- Positive attitude with a desire to learn
Physical Requirements
- Standing/walking during entire shift
- Standing/walking on uneven and wet surfaces
- Climbing stairs and step-stools
- Carrying/lifting up to 30 lbs.
- Squatting, scrubbing and kneeling to clean frequently
- Ability to work in a non-climate-controlled facility in Florida heat and humidity.
Considerations
- Interactions with shellfish – people with allergies should be cautioned.
- Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases – individuals with a weakened immune system should be cautioned.
- Sea turtle handling and internship responsibilities are not a guarantee and are subject to change, pending patient needs and intern performance.
We are not currently accepting applications.
Position Summary
The Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center (STRC) Husbandry Internship offers a well-rounded, educational experience working at The Florida Aquarium’s Apollo Beach Campus. Internship opportunities may include providing exceptional care to animals undergoing rehabilitation, husbandry skills, working in commissary, testing water quality, and maintaining life support systems. Interns work next to animal care professionals who will teach technical skills and provide professional development.
Responsibilities
- All Interns will be trained utilizing a phased training program. All of the Intern’s primary responsibilities are under the direct or indirect supervision of STRC staff, unless otherwise directed.
- Perform daily husbandry duties, including but not limited to:
- Diet preparation & animal feeding
- Water quality testing
- Cleaning and maintaining of turtle holding systems
- Maintaining life support systems
- General facility upkeep
- Under certain circumstances, interns may also assist with strandings, recoveries, necropsies, intakes, and/or releases.
- Assist with behavioral observations, as needed.
- Maintain accurate and detailed records.
- Answer guest questions, give tours, and presentations as needed at STRC.
- Other duties as assigned.
Time Commitment
Scheduled shifts are between 7:00am to 5:00pm with a minimum of 30 hours a week commitment. Availability to work weekends, evenings, holidays and up to 40 hours a week, if required pending patient needs. Interns must be able to commit to the entire length of the seasonal term which they are agreeing to:
- Fall/Winter: October 7, 2024 – January 26, 2025
- Winter/Spring: January 13, 2025 – May 4, 2025
- Summer: April 21, 2025 – August 3, 2025
Qualifications
- College undergraduate student or recent graduate; background or degree in Marine Science/Biology/Ecology or related field preferred.
- Must be able to follow federal and state animal health laws and regulations including AZA, OSHA, USFWS and FWC.
- Regular attendance and timeliness are an essential function in order to fulfill the requirements of this intern position.
- All information that is provided to you and any cases in which you are exposed must be kept confidential – no exceptions.
- Valid driver’s license; ability to commute to the Center for Conservation located in Apollo Beach, FL.
- Basic computer proficiency.
- Ability to understand and follow detailed instructions.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently or as part of a team.
- Positive attitude with a desire to learn.
Physical Requirements
- Standing/walking during entire shift.
- Standing/walking on uneven and wet surfaces.
- Climbing stairs and ladders.
- Carrying/lifting up to 30 lbs.
- Squatting, scrubbing and kneeling to clean frequently.
- Ability to work in a non-climate-controlled facility in Florida heat, humidity, or cold.
Considerations
- Interactions with shellfish – people with allergies should be cautioned.
- Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases – individuals with a weakened immune system should be cautioned.
- Sea turtle handling and internship responsibilities are not a guarantee and are subject to change, pending patient needs and intern performance.
- Please note that this is not a veterinary focused internship.
We are not currently accepting applications.