wildlife conservation internships
Piedmont Wildlife Center’s Wildlife Conservation Internship is geared towards individuals 18 years and older who are interested in conservation research, education, and working with an environmental non-profit. Interns will learn to:
Care for and safely handle educational reptiles, mammals, birds (including raptors), and more.
Study eastern box turtle populations by collecting data for our mark-recapture and radio telemetry study.
Assist with Triangle Turtle Trekkers, our citizen science box turtle project.
Assist with on-site and off-site Conservation Education programs with live animals.
Assist with daily maintenance tasks including answering phones, cleaning the office, taking out trash, etc.
Develop, plan, and implement a self-led capstone project
This paid internship is part-time (20 hours/week) for a minimum of 12 weeks. Most hours occur during normal business hours, though occasional weekend work is available. Exact start and end dates are flexible.
SPRING 2025: OPEN
Spring Application Deadline: December 15th (stipend of $2,200)
Start Date: Late January/Early February
End Date: 1st or 2nd week in May
SUMMER 2025: OPEN
Summer Application Deadline: February 15th (stipend of $2,200)
Start Date: 3rd or 4th week in May
End Date: 1st or 2nd week in August
FALL 2024: CLOSED
Fall Application Deadline: July 15th (stipend of $2,200)
Start Date: 1st week in September
End Date: 4th week in November
How many internship spots are available each season?
We typically accept up to 2 interns in the Fall and Spring, and up to 3 interns in the Summer.
Can I apply for multiple seasons and extend the internship?
This internship is designed so that you will be able to learn and gain proficiency in everything it has to offer in one season. While you are welcome to apply as many times as you would like, your experience would not be significantly enhanced by extending the internship past one season.
How soon after submitting my application should I expect to hear back with a decision?
We usually begin reviewing applications the week of the application deadline. Applicants selected for interviews can expect an invitation 2-3 business days after the deadline.
How does the stipend work?
Accepted interns receive half ($1,100) of the stipend at the start of the internship, and half ($1,100) at the end of the internship.
How does scheduling work?
Schedules are flexible and are designed to accommodate each intern’s availability. Some interns opt for fewer days per week with longer shifts, while others are here more days per week with shorter shifts. To fully experience everything the internship has to offer, we recommend that interns have at least 2 shifts each week that are 5 or more hours long.
Is there any previous experience needed to apply?
No. While previous experience with animal husbandry, wildlife monitoring, data collection, or environmental education may be helpful, this internship is open to anyone interested in learning more about wildlife conservation.
Capstone Projects
Each intern has the opportunity develop, plan, and implement an original capstone project of their choosing. The projects are designed to benefit Piedmont Wildlife Center while also giving interns the chance to learn new skills or put existing ones into practice.
PAST CAPSTONE PROJECTS
How to apply
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and one letter of recommendation. All application materials must be submitted in PDF format. Please have your recommender send their letter directly to kaitlin@piedmontwildlifecenter.org.
Applicant:
Send cover letter and resume to kaitlin@piedmontwildlifecenter.org with the subject line “Wildlife Conservation Internship” and the season for which you are applying (ie: Wildlife Conservation Internship Summer 2024).
Recommender:
Send letter of recommendation directly to kaitlin@piedmontwildlifecenter.org.
