Intern, Parrot Garden

Best Friends Animal Society

Job Description

Location: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah – Parrot Garden
Compensation: $15 per hour
Time Commitment: 40 hours per week for 13 weeks (5/19/25-8/15/25)

Organization Description: Best Friends Animal Society is a national non-profit focused on ending the killing of cats and dogs in America's shelters by 2025. Best Friends is leading the no-kill movement by running lifesaving community programs for dogs and cats, providing support and training for animal shelters and rescue groups, and mobilizing community members on behalf of pets in need across the country.

The communities we partner with are diverse and multicultural – and we want that to be reflected within our organization. We welcome our employees’ unique wisdom, special skills, passion, and whole self to the workplace. We believe that our differences are pivotal to uniting the movement and achieving our mission. Our hiring practices are based on kindness and treating all living things, people, animals and the planet, as we would like to be treated. We encourage candidates who can add to our culture by bringing their fresh perspectives and unique lived experiences to apply.

Position Description: The Parrot Garden Intern works within a team setting to provide hands on daily care and medical support to the parrots other exotic birds at the Sanctuary. Interns are valued team members and play a direct role in achieving Best Friends Animal Society’s no-kill mission and organizational success. This position works directly with the public to create positive volunteer and visitor experiences and share Best Friends’ mission and initiatives. Interns may receive assignments and projects based on their interest and learning goals, and organizational needs.

The Parrot Garden Intern reports to Hannah Zerkle, Senior Lifesaving & Care Specialist, and will receive regular supervision and feedback. The minimum time commitment for the Parrot Garden Internship is 40 hours per week at $15.00 per hour for 13 weeks. This is an on-site internship at the Best Friends Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. Interns must arrange for their own housing and transportation. Students seeking college credit are welcome to apply.

Intern orientation includes a tour of the Sanctuary and Parrot Garden, overview of rules, safety protocols, and daily schedule. Interns will have the opportunity to meet with Best Friends founders and Senior Leadership, learn about and shadow staff in other departments, work on projects specific to their learning and career goals, and attend presentations on various animal welfare topics.

Responsibilities:
Work within a team setting to oversee the health, well-being, and general care of the parrot population.
Assist in providing basic and routine care for animals, which includes diet preparation and distribution, cleaning of enclosures, and creating and implementing enrichment and training plans.
Assist in supporting the animals’ medical needs which includes learning about zoonotic disease, medicating, treating, preparing special diets, observing and reporting, and the maintenance of required veterinary records.
Clean work areas and preserve the physical appearance of parrot buildings and enclosures: wiping, scooping, sweeping, mopping, trash removal, laundry, etc.
Assist in creating a comfortable and stimulating environment for the animals, including socialization and creating enrichment opportunities.
Follow all safety and quarantine protocols outlined by department leadership.
Be a Sanctuary ambassador, representing Best Friends’ work to visitors and volunteers, and speaking to the Sanctuary’s special role in Best Friends’ no-kill mission.
Work alongside and support volunteers, workshop attendees, and other types of visitors.
Greet and conduct tours, speak about specific animals, parrot welfare, ecology, and husbandry, the work of Parrot Garden and the Sanctuary, and answer questions.
Interns may be asked to represent Parrot Garden at various community events.
Attend and participate in various learning, networking, and socialization opportunities with other interns, Best Friends staff members and founders.
Treat people around you with Kindness and Compassion, build trust by demonstrating authenticity and following through on your commitments, prioritize your well-being, and work to build strong inclusive relationships with your colleagues by participating in communication loops to share and receive honest feedback.

Learning Outcomes:
Gain a comprehensive understanding of captive parrots and their husbandry needs.
Learn and practice basic parrot medical care including how to administer medication and notice and treat subtle illnesses.
Develop an understanding of basic parrot behaviors and how to create and implement training plans.
Practice and improve collaboration, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
Gain skills in communicating with visitors and giving engaging and interactive tours, creating positive volunteer experiences.
Develop an understanding of animal welfare and Best Friends 2025 mission.
Individual goals and projects can be adjusted to the intern’s interests (i.e., medical, behavioral/enrichment, or education).

Qualifications:
Strong desire to work with parrots. Previous experience preferred but not required.
Ability to receive and provide constructive feedback, and a commitment to learning and improvement. 
Professional work ethic and independent time management skills.
Commitment to communication, cooperation, and collaboration.
Resourcefulness, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.
Must be able to:
Routinely lift up to 60 pounds and perform daily strenuous and/or repetitive activities including sweeping, mopping, bending, stooping, lifting, reaching, walking, and working at computers (typing, hand motions).
Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
Must be comfortable with:
Potential contact with hay, dust and other allergens.
Potential exposure to zoonotic disease.
Consistent exposure to loud noises (ear plugs are recommended and provided).
Interaction with animals that have significant behavioral and/or medical issues.
Potential exposure to animal injury, illness, and/or death.
Must have reliable transportation to get to, from, and around the Sanctuary. There is no public transportation in Kanab.

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society. Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status.

Applicants for employment in the US must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the US by Best Friends Animal Society.

This is a full time job