OC Animal Care Foster Program Management Intern (Unpaid Intern) - County of Orange

OC COMMUNITY RESOURCES (OCCR) 
The County of Orange, OC Community Resources is a multi-faceted department comprised of OC Animal Care, OC Community Services, OC Housing & Homeless Services, OC Parks, and OC Public Libraries.
 
OC ANIMAL CARE
OC Animal Care promotes responsible pet ownership, health and safety of people and animals, and spay/neuter programs. OC Animal Care provides temporary shelter and medical care for "lost" owned or stray animals and opportunities for adoption of these animals.

THE OPPORTUNITY
OC Animal Care is seeking outgoing, dependable individuals with positive attitudes who can work independently in a fast-paced environment. The work experience that this internship will provide will lend itself to those interested in the medical, animal care, program management and/or county government fields. Additionally, interns will have the opportunity to make a direct and profound impact on the lives of companion animals in our local community.
 
Duties may include assisting staff with one or more of the following assignments or projects:

• Provide guidance and direction to foster caretakers regarding the care of animals
• Coordinate with shelter clinic staff regarding observations of ill or injured animals
• Provide foster caretakers with basic animal health instructions as issued by shelter clinic staff/veterinarian
• Assist with OC Animal Care special events
• Provide administrative support by preparing files and spreadsheets for reports, coordinating foster related appointments, returning phone calls/emails and managing program audits
• Participate in day-to-day operations of Department's busy foster program, which involves handling of companion animals

Please note this is an in-person internship. Interns will not be able to perform the above duties remotely/virtually. 

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be current college students enrolled in an accredited college/university or be a recent graduate with an interest in pursuing a career in the public sector and/or in gaining experience within an office/administrative environment.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
OC Animal Care is seeking applicants with the following qualifications:

• Highly organized and dependable
• Eager to gain professional experience
• Able to complete assignments in a timely manner
• Reliable, outgoing and able to work independently
• Experienced with Word, Excel, Outlook and basic internet use
• Effectively follows written and oral instructions
• Ability to interpret and apply oral/written instructions
• Comfortable communicating with members of the public in a variety of situations displaying social skill, awareness, and tact
• Animal handling and/or medical skills a plus, but not required

TIME COMMITMENT
Immediate placement is available. Minimum 10 – 20 hours per week for 3 or more months. Hours must be scheduled during normal business hours (Monday – Sunday between 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.). Applicants able to schedule the maximum hours/duration listed for the internship typically gain a more in-depth experience.

BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO INTERN
Although this is an unpaid internship that does not lead to paid employment or include employee benefits, students and recent graduates are offered an excellent opportunity to:

• Build resumes/work history and explore career options
• Apply skills and knowledge acquired in an academic setting to the workplace
• Fulfill college/university internship requirements
• Network with professionals in their fields of interest

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applicants must attach a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts to their application. The cover letter is an opportunity for students to describe career and academic goals, to elaborate upon personal and academic accomplishments, and to identify what type of internship experience they are seeking. Learn more about what to include in a cover letter HERE.
 
Applications that do not include a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts will not be considered.
 
REQUIRED BACKGROUND SCREENING/REFERENCE CHECK
Prior to placement, applicants may be asked to submit contact information for reference checks, and a background screening will be conducted that requires a state issued driver's license or ID card and a U.S. Social Security number.