Education Outreach Training

The Center’s outreach department offers two training opportunities to students and others interested in gaining in-depth practical experience in the fields of education and outreach.  

The Wildlife Center's outreach department presents hundreds of programs in schools and libraries throughout Virginia and at the Center; the team also presents dozens of online classes through the Center’s Critter Cams and moderated discussion.

The conservation themes emphasized in all of the Center’s education and outreach programs and materials are drawn directly from the stories of the thousands of wild animals that arrive at the Wildlife Center’s hospital every year in need of care. The stories of these animals illustrate the wider problems wildlife face and challenge people of all ages to take action to protect wildlife.


Education Outreach Externship (on-site)

Outreach externship students will learn about native wildlife, develop enhanced communication skills [public speaking, writing], and will learn handling procedures for education animal ambassadors.

All applicants must be self-motivated individuals with a sincere interest in wildlife, educational outreach, and environmental conservation. Attention to detail, punctuality, initiative, flexibility, and strong writing skills are required. Applicants should have at least two years of college education. Most fields of study will be considered.

Externships are available during the spring, summer, and fall. Both full-time and part-time opportunities are available during the spring and fall, only part-time opportunities are available during the summer. Externs receive no stipend; however, housing is available for full-time students.

For more information, please review our education outreach externship description. Application forms are available here. Please note that the completed application includes a form, cover letter, résumé, and a writing sample. Please email edu@wildlifecenter.org with any questions.

Application deadlines: Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis. Externships last between 12 and 16 weeks, depending on the student’s schedule and the outreach department’s needs.

Outreach Design Externship (remote)

Through this specially-designed, remote (off-site) externship, students have the chance to learn more about wildlife conservation and produce digital content for the Center’s website and social media that will Inspire action to help wildlife and the environment.

Outreach design externship students will learn about native wildlife and will develop enhanced written/visual communication skills, as well as project management and client relations.

Applicants should have at least two years of college education; intermediate understanding of visual design; intermediate skill with use of desktop and web-based tools for design; and strong time management and punctuality with deadlines.

Externs are required to have their own computer and the necessary programs/application licenses to complete the work. All content created will be owned by the Wildlife Center but can be used in portfolios or as examples of real work for further education and job applications.

Ideal candidates have a sincere interest in wildlife and the role of digital education in environmental conservation.

For more information, please review our outreach design externship description. Application forms are available here. Please note that the completed application includes a form, cover letter, résumé, and a sample of design work. Please email edu@wildlifecenter.org with any questions.

Application deadlines: we are not currently accepting new outreach design externship applications


Wildlife rehabilitation externships are also available. Please visit our Volunteer page for information about other ways to get involved.

Join us in making a real difference in wildlife conservation and the environment.