Enrich your life or further your education by helping CWC rehabilitate orphaned, ill, or injured wildlife from the Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu beaches, and surrounding areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Membership
Go Wild!
When you become a member of California Wildlife Center (CWC), you will be supporting its two-fold mission: to accept the responsibility of assisting sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife by ensuring each receives the highest level of rehabilitative care for release back to its natural home; and to promote protection of wild habitats and the environment through education, training and partnerships with the community.
CWC's staff, Board of Directors and trained volunteers are experiencing a steady increase in animal patients, as our communities continue to grow and encroach on native habitats. Because CWC is funded solely by membership, donations and grants, California Wildlife Center relies on the support of the communities it serves and the generosity of individuals and corporations dedicated to its shared mission.
Membership benefits for $50 (Cool Cat) and above include:
Invitations to special events including our annual "Wild" fundraiser
Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation training available for interested members
Invitations to Open Houses and special wildlife excursions
Subscription to Wild Times newsletter
Membership benefits for $150 (CWC Birds of a Feather) and above include:
Cool Cat benefits
Recognition in CWC annual publication
Package of CWC note cards
Membership benefits for $250 (CWC Deer Friends) and above include:
Birds of a Feather benefits
Annual briefing with Co-Founder
Membership benefits for $500 (CWC Wise Owls) and above include:
Deer Friends benefits
One ticket to the annual fundraiser
Membership benefits for $1,000 (CWC Rescue Rangers) and above include:
Deer Friends benefits
Two tickets to the annual fundraiser
Recognition on the Donor Wall
Membership benefits for $2,500 (CWC Wild Bunch) include:
Deer Friends benefits
Four tickets to the annual fundraiser
Recognition on the Donor Wall
Wild Bunch $2500
Rescue Rangers $1,000
Wise Owls $500
Deer Friends $250
Birds of a Feather $150
Cool Cats $50
Animal Care Volunteer
Whether working in the office, hospital or out in the field, volunteers are the driving force behind CWC. From animal care to event planning, administration, public relations and community outreach, CWC's dedicated volunteers selflessly assume the many responsibilities of maintaining the organization's mission and ensuring its future success. In 2007 they gave 12,000 hours of volunteer time.
Working with wildlife is fun and rewarding. By volunteering at CWC you'll be able to help a wide variety of local birds and mammals. To become an animal care volunteer, you must:
Be at least 18 years of age
Complete Basic Training for New Volunteers covering natural history, species identification, safe capture, and handling.
Become a member of CWC
Commit to a life-enriching minimum of 6 months and 4 hours per week, preferably on the same week days and hours (e.g. consecutive Sunday afternoons). Longer shifts will give you more opportunities to work directly with animals.
Duties include, but are not limited to food preparation, feeding animals, participating in rescues, cleaning cages, and laundry. Wear old clothes - you may get dirty.
Basic Training for New Volunteers 2010
What: Learning to care for orphaned, sick, or injured wildlife.
Where: CWC in the Santa Monica Mountains, Calabasas, California
When: A 4 hour long class in the spring, summer, and fall.
CWC has developed an intensive Volunteer Basic Training session designed to prepare volunteers for the spring and summer busy seasons. The cost is $15 for materials and $50 for CWC membership. 9am - 1pm
Time Commitment:
Volunteering at California Wildlife Center requires a minimum commitment of 6-months. During that time, volunteers are required to commit to at least 16 hours of service a month, working a minimum of four 4-hour shifts per month. Individuals who are unable to commit to this monthly/hourly requirement are not eligible to participate in CWC's Wildlife Rehabilitation Volunteer program.
Marine Mammal Rescue Training
What: Classroom instruction in marine mammal rescue.
Where: CWC in the Santa Monica Mountains, Calabasas, California
When: A day-long class in the spring, summer, and fall.
Why: To qualify as a volunteer committed to 8 hrs/mo of marine mammal rescue
CWC has developed an intensive Marine Mammal Rescue Training session designed to prepare volunteers for the spring and summer busy seasons. We also ask that our volunteers complete the Basic Training class to participate in our program. The cost is $10 for materials and CWC membership is required. 9am - 2pm
Time Commitment:
Volunteering at California Wildlife Center requires a minimum commitment of 6-months. During that time, volunteers are required to commit to at least 16 hours of service a month, working a minimum of four 4-hour shifts per month. Individuals who are unable to commit to this monthly/hourly requirement are not eligible to participate in CWC's Marine Mammal Rescue Volunteer program.
This program is under the direction of Kristin Jo Joseph, Hospital Manager.
Responsibilities:
Assist staff and volunteers with all aspects of animal care including, but not limited to:
Daily husbandry-related activities including medical treatments, cleaning, diet preparation and feeding in the Intensive Care Unit and the Baby Care Unit.
Assist with intake procedures for new patients.
Provide guidance to callers with wildlife-related questions.
Assist in performing animal releases.
Assist in marine mammal rescues.
Attend advanced wildlife and animal care classes and seminars.
Educational Benefit to the Student:
Direct wildlife care experience under the supervision of California Wildlife Center staff.
Gain experience with raptors, songbirds, land mammals, pelagic birds, and marine mammals.
Opportunity to learn the local, state, and federal requirements in the care and treatment of protected and endangered species.
Learn advanced skills from wildlife experts with hands-on experience and through specialized classes.
Housing/Transportation:
Housing and transportation are the responsibility of the intern. Very limited on-site is available (i.e. up to 2 individuals at a time) all individuals selected for on-site housing, regardless of Session, will be required to complete 40 hours/week (400 hours total). Must have own transportation and current drivers license.
Qualifications:
Must be 18 years of age or older. Science, medical care or natural science background required. Must be able to lift minimum of 50 lbs. Work performed requires lifting, bending, stooping, pushing and other moderately strenuous activities. Must have respect for wildlife and courtesy towards the public. At the time of the interview, the applicant must demonstrate proof of a negative TB test within the past year and a current tetanus vaccination. The internship is unpaid.
To Apply
Please submit a resume, letter of intent and two (2) letters of recommendation. Your letter of intent must state the Session you are applying for and detail interests, experience, housing accomodations, and availability. A telephone interview will be scheduled after your application has been received. If you have any questions or would like to visit the hospital, please email Kristin Jo Joseph at jo@californiawildlifecenter.org and we can try to schedule a short in-person interview.
There is no deadline to apply. Positions for all Sessions are filled on an ongoing basis as qualifed candidates are found. Applications will be accepted beginning in January 1, 2010 until all positions are filled.
Schedule
There will be 4 sessions of 10 weeks. Sessions 1 and 4 will be minimum 20 hrs/wk. Sessions 2 and 3 will be minimum
30 hrs/wk. The session dates are:
Session 1: March 1 - May 9 (2 positions available)
Session 2: May 10 - July 18 (4 positions available)
Session 3: June 14 - August 22 (4 positions available)
Session 4: August 23 - October 31 (2 positions available)
What: Working with the on-site veterinarian about 36 hr/week, with emphasis on medical aspects, but also including exposure to wildlife husbandry and rehabilitation.
Where: CWC in the Santa Monica Mountains, Calabasas, California
This program is under the tutelage of Dr Duane Tom, DVM.
Program Description
While the emphasis will be on the medical aspect, you will also receive exposure to wildlife rehabilitation as well. Discussions will be held each week, covering various medical subjects such as physical exams, anesthesia, emergency/critical care, wound and fracture management, the central nervous system and necropsies. Instructional material will be utilized daily with our hospital cases. Hands-on introduction to soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries, radiology, and other diagnostic modalities occur on a daily basis. Participants are also required to complete and present a short independent project that will be presented on the last day of their externship. That will be their only task for that day (guidance and assistance will be given). Supplemental lectures and journal discussions are also held, time permitting.
Discussions will be held each week, covering various medical subjects. The externs are also expected to complete and present a short independent project that will be presented on their last day of their externship. That will be their only task for that day, (guidance and assistance will be provided).
Housing and Transportation
Housing and transportation are generally the responsibility of the extern. Students may stay on premises on a first come - first served basis (a small fee may apply). A vehicle and current driver's license are highly recommended.
Requirements
The applicant must be over 20 years old and it is recommended that applicants have at least completed college undergraduate courses in Biology, Zoology, Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry and/or other related courses, so that they will be able to get the most out of this program. Experience in wildlife rehabilitationand/or domestic veterinary clinics is highly recommended. However, because this program is directed at providing an introduction to wildlife medicine, enthusiasm and the ability to learn are the most important qualities. Veterinary students, pre-veterinary applicants as well as those applicants that demonstrate a prolonged interest and a career in wildlife medicine will be given priority. The applicant must have had a tetanus booster within the past 10 years. A Rabies vaccination may be of benefit so that you might participate with rabies vector species should the opportunity occur.
Please submit a resume to Dr Duane Tom, along with a letter of intent, and two (2) professional letters of recommendation. Recommendations can be sent via e-mail if from an educational/regulatory extension (.gov, .edu) A telephone interview will be scheduled for qualified candidates after applications have been received. If you have any questions or would like to visit the hospital, please email me duane@californiawildlifecenter.org and we can try to schedule a short in-person interview.
Schedule
There will be 4 sessions of 8 weeks at 36 hr/week. The tentative session dates are: Note: Summer Sessions often end later into the evening.
Session 1: March 14 - May 9
Session 2: May 9 - July 4
Session 3: July 4 - August 29
Session 4: August 29 - October 24
The tentative weekly schedule is:
Sunday: 12 hrs: 8am to 8pm
Monday: 12 hrs: 8am to 8pm
Friday: 12 hrs: 8am to 8pm
Thank you for your interest. Please submit your application to:
Duane Tom, DMV. Director of Animal Care,
California Wildlife Center,
P.O.Box 2022, Malibu, CA 90265.
Email: duane@californiawildlifecenter.org
Marine Mammal Stranding Response Internship 2010
What: Working closely with the Marine Mammal staff in all aspects of stranding response.
Where: CWC in the Santa Monica Mountains, Calabasas, California
When: Usually for 8 weeks in the spring/summer.
Why: An in-depth introduction to marine mammal stranding response.
This internship will provide an exciting and challenging educational experience in the marine mammal field, while also allowing for additional hands-on experience with other native California wildlife. The interns will be working closely with the Marine Mammal staff in all aspects of stranding response, including logistics, assessment, capture/restraint, transport to the marine mammal rehabilitation facility, and public relations. In addition, interns will provide support to CWC Hospital staff in animal husbandry tasks for avian and terrestrial wildlife.
Requirements
The applicant must be at least 18 years of age or older. Undergraduate students and non-students alike are encouraged to apply. If the intern intends to receive academic credit, the intern will be responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institutions. Due to the unpredictable nature of marine mammal stranding response, interns may sometimes be required to work beyond their normal scheduled hours. Interns must be able and willing to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays. Interns will be required to have good physical strength and the ability to lift/carry 50 lbs. Interns need to have the ability to multitask and work in a fast paced environment. Animal care and/or marine mammal experience is a plus, but not required. Applicant must demonstrate proof of negative TB test within the past year and have a current tetanus vaccination.
Intern Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Marine Mammal staff, duties will include:
Answering and responding to all calls, pages and messages concerning marine mammals in a timely and courteous manner
Assessing stranded marine mammals
Coordinating and leading responder team in the capture and handling of stranded marine mammals needing medical attention
Coordinating transport of stranded marine mammals to the rehabilitation facility
Completion of NMFS Level A data sheets.
Maintaining detailed database records of Malibu strandings, including reports of stranding, human interaction issues, etc.
Assist with marine mammal necropsy and sample collection
Ensuring marine mammal designated equipment is kept in clean, working order
Maintaining good rapport with representatives of vairous public agencies
Schedule
There will be 2 sessions of 8 weeks.
Spring Session: March 15- May 10 (2 positions available)
Summer Session: May 10 - July 5 (2 positions available)
Time Commitment
Spring Session - 3 days/week; minimum of 24 hours/week
Housing and transportation are the responsibility of the intern. You must have your own transportation and current drivers license. There is very limited on-site housing (up to 2 individuals at a time). All individuals selected for on-site housing, regardless of Session, will be required to complete 40 hours/week.
Application Process
Letter of Intent
Resume
Two letters of reference
Your letter of intent must state the Session you are applyig for and detail interests, experience, housing accommodations and availability.
Thank you for your interest. Please submit your application to:
Jeff Hall, Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator
California Wildlife Center
P.O.Box 2022
Malibu, CA 90265.
jeff@californiawildlifecenter.org
Job Openings
We currently have no job openings. Thanks for your interest.
