Internship Application

While interning at our facility, you are representing not just yourself, but Houston Humane Society Wildlife Center. Please review the following obligations with respect to HHSWC's Internship Program.  Your signature below will indicate your agreement to abide by them at all times.  

- Refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on HHSWC.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding information accessed on any volunteer, staff volunteer, or the public.
- Not to publish any reports or papers on the basis of information obtained during the internship, both during and after the completion of my internship, without the explicit authorization of HHSWC.
- Provide the organization with a copy of all materials prepared during my internship.
- Report for duty on-time, as scheduled by the Center Coordinator (CC).  If you need to cancel a shift due to an illness, or serious circumstance, you must immediately notify the CC as soon as possible by text message.  
- All scheduling, mentoring, and training during your internship will be assigned by the CC. 
- Provide immediate written notice in case of illness or other circumstances which might prevent you from completing the internship.
- Always wear your HHSWC t-shirt and nametag while on duty.  Closed-toed shoes are recommended.
- Respect the time allotted for breaks a 20-minute lunch/break will be allowed for shifts at least 4 hours long.  We encourage you to bring a lunch/snack to eat onsite. 
- Observe all established safety and sanitation procedures.
- Engage in positive, professional and legal behavior.
- Respect all policies in place that prohibit photos of wildlife in the Vet Room or in any Onsite Animal Care Program. Permission must be obtained from the CC for personal use or to post on social media.  Only photos of our Education Animals can be taken without permission.
- Never allow visitors entry to the Onsite Animal Care Suite #208 or the Vet Room.  Wildlife in rehab are not allowed to be on display to the public.
- Codes and keys offered to you must not be shared with any other intern, volunteer or staff.   
- If you don't have your pre-exposure rabies vaccines, you will not be allowed to handle any rabies vector species - raccoon, skunk, bat, coyote or fox. 
- Report all injuries sustained during active duty immediately to the CC, including minor cuts that require a bandage. An Incident Report must be completed and turned in to the CC.  
- Ensure that all interactions with volunteers, your fellow interns, staff and the public are conducted with dignity and respect, including our wildlife. 
- Complete the internship evaluation questionnaire at the end of my internship.

If, at any time during the course of your internship you have any questions or concerns, please contact the CC immediately. 

By completing this application, I affirm that the facts set forth in it are true and complete. I agree to the above Code of Professional and Ethical Conduct and I understand that as a HHSWC Intern, any false statements, omissions, or other misrepresentations made by me on this application may result in my immediate dismissal.

I also acknowledge that as an Intern of HHSWC, I may be exposed to certain risks inherent in working with wildlife, including but not limited to the following: bites, scratches, zoonotic diseases, including but not limited to rabies, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Chlamydiosis, leptospirosis, brucellosis, Lyme disease, arbovirus encephalitis, tularemia, salmonellosis, and spirochaetal relapsing fever.

Interns who volunteer with HHSWC and its activities do so of their own free will and at their own risk. Interns acknowledge that they are assuming all risks associated with volunteer service, including risk of injury. In the event of personal injury, Interns would be responsible for the full expense of any medical care or attention.

I understand that the internship position is voluntary. There is no stipend, or salary offered, and there is no guarantee or expectation that the internship will result in employment with Houston Humane Society HHS Wildlife Center.

The undersigned further acknowledges that he or she (1) has carefully read the foregoing release and accepts any risks involved in participation as an Intern, and (2) has no physical impairment that would preclude participation.

It is the policy of this organization to provide equal opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual preference, age, disability, or veteran status. This release contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto.