Paid - Conservation Husbandry Internships

White Oak conserves and sustains some of the earth's rarest species through sustainable conservation breeding, education, and responsible land stewardship.  The conservation programs span 700 acres along the St. Marys River in northeast Florida, surrounded by 17,000 acres of mixed forest and wetlands that make up the beautiful White Oak property. White Oak’s animal programs are widely recognized for their natural environments and large spaces, species appropriate social structures and regularly reproducing populations. The low intensity management style results in animals that exhibit natural behaviors and resiliency, making them prime candidates for recovery and release programs.  

The Conservation Husbandry Internship provides participants hands on management experience with large conservation populations.  The internship offers direct experience working alongside staff in all aspects of animal care.  There are four internships to choose from. Interns will be scheduled exclusively with the animal care team assigned to each internship.

Currently recruiting for spring 2023 interns, with program dates starting in Mid-January and ending in Mid-May.

Avian Internship: Selected interns will work within the avian team caring for species such as cassowary, grasshopper sparrows and a variety of crane and curassow species. The avian team is actively involved in three regional reintroduction programs, with a strong in-situ/ex-situ interface. Candidates should have a keen interest in avian ecology, diverse management methods, and direct conservation impact. Onsite housing available for Spring & Summer Sessions. Local commuter applicants in Fall.

Carnivore Internship: Selected interns will work within the carnivore team caring for species such as cheetah, maned wolf, and Florida panthers. The carnivore team manages one of the largest and most successful cheetah breeding programs in North America and is the only facility to rehabilitate and release Florida panthers back to the wild, in partnership with state agencies. Candidates should have an interest in carnivore husbandry, breeding and zoological management with focus on individual animal behavior. Onsite housing available for Spring & Fall Sessions. Local commuter applicants in Summer.

Elephant Internship: Selected interns will work within the elephant team caring for one of the largest populations of Asian elephants in the Northern hemisphere. Candidates should have a keen interest in elephant husbandry, unique habitat and management styles, with a focus on herd dynamics and individual animal behavior. Onsite housing available for Summer & Fall Sessions. Local commuter applicants in Spring.

Rhino and Ungulate Internship: Selected interns will work in either one or both of our ungulate teams caring for species such as white, black, and greater one-horned rhinoceros, giraffe, okapi, exotic equine and a variety of antelope and gazelle species. White Oak’s ungulate teams manage some of the largest populations of these imperiled species. Candidates should have an interest in ungulate herd management and breeding populations. Onsite housing is not available. Local commuter applicants accepted in Spring, Summer, & Fall.

How to apply:

Free on-site housing is available at designated times for each internship focus area. Please apply appropriately if you require housing. We highly encourage applicants that live locally or have friends or family they can stay with, to apply for commuter internship spaces as they are significantly less competitive, increasing chances of being accepted. Interns that receive housing will share an apartment with another intern of the same gender and be required to help with after-hours duties.

The Conservation Husbandry Internship is a 40 hour a week, paid internship. The selected candidate will receive a $1,760 monthly stipend, before taxes. The work schedule will include weekends and holidays, and occasional after-hours. White Oak provides transportation to and from the Jacksonville airport (for initial pick-up and final drop-off only). Housing for pets and/or spouses is not available. White Oak reserves the right to terminate internships at any time. There will be no guarantee of employment at the end of the internship. To avoid conflicts, the selected candidate will not be eligible for job openings at White Oak that occur during the internship.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Candidates must have previous experience working with animals, domestic or exotic.
• Candidates should be currently enrolled, or recently graduated (less than 2 years) from high school, college or university.    
• Candidates should be self-motivated, able to work well alone and with others, and willing to learn new skills and make the most of the internship experience.
• Candidates must be at least 18 years, have proof of a valid driver’s license and health insurance, and pass a drug test upon the start of the internship.
• Commitment to a 40-hour work week, the selected schedule and individual work duties is required.
• Candidates must be able to lift 50 lbs. without difficulty, work in adverse weather conditions, and remain on their feet for long periods of time.
• Candidates must be legally able to work in the United States (US Citizen, Permanent Resident, or hold an Employment Authorization Document)

How to Apply:

To apply, please fill out the electronic application that coincides with your area of interest (you are welcome apply for more than one focus area):

Avian Conservation Husbandry Internship Application
Carnivore Conservation Husbandry Internship Application
Elephant Conservation Husbandry Internship Application
Rhino & Ungulate Conservation Husbandry Internship Application