Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist

POSITION PURPOSE:

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Under the supervision of the Clinic Coordinator and Medical Clinic and Operations Director, Wildlife Specialists are

responsible for assisting with providing medical care and rehabilitation to injured, orphaned and ill wildlife. Wildlife Specialists are part of the Medical Clinic Team and participate in activities that support the management of year-round

Wildlife Care Interns and Wildlife Rehabilitation Apprentices as needed and working toward strategic goals. As a member of the professional staff team, the Wildlife Specialist serves Center for Wildlife’s mission to sustain local wildlife and participates in outreach and donor service as required.

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I. ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES                                                      Priority Weight Assigned

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A. Medical Clinic/Rehabilitation                                                                                                               90%

1. Patient Care

Assists in oversight of daily clinic operations in conjunction with other Medical Clinic staff, specifically:

• Supervises, directs, and trains Wildlife Rehabilitation Apprentices, volunteers, and interns in the supportive and medical care of wild animal patients in the clinic 

• Accepts animal admissions, and performs initial exams and triage care for new patients 

• Performs daily care for intensive care, quarantined, or potentially dangerous patients who cannot be handled by volunteers or interns

• Assists members of the public with wildlife issues on the phone and in person at the admissions desk

• Co-manages the nurseries during baby season with another Wildlife Specialist

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2. Patient Assessment and Oversight

Manage and focus on:

• Providing appropriate husbandry, nutrition, and enrichment to promote healing

• Communicate observations of patients and collaborate on changes to treatment plans

Assists Senior Wildlife Specialists with:

• Monitoring intensive care patients and collaborating to provide follow-up care, coordinate releases, transfers or placements as cases progress

• Assist veterinarian and present patient cases; monitor anesthesia during procedures

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3. Medical Care and Diagnostics

Performs medical procedures as needed, including​​

• Fecal analyses

• Initial Exams and stabilization, particularly with nursery patients

• Wound care, basic fracture stabilization

• Assisting in treating/monitoring patients under anesthesia

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Works with veterinarian and clinic team to improve veterinary skills, and stay current with the latest advances in wildlife/ conservation medicine

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Ensures medical care is provided according to CFW protocols and processed. Studies techniques, protocols, and cases at other wildlife rehabilitation and veterinary facilities to share with clinic team

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4. Mentorship:

Serves as support to WRA, Intern and Volunteer programs, specifically:

• Helping to carry out training programs for WRA, interns and volunteers

• Provide mentoring and personal attention to assigned apprentices, interns and volunteers

• Assist in daily management, training, and evaluation of all support personnel

• Prepare reports on individual WRA, interns, and volunteers and share with the Medical Clinic Team as needed.

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5. Networking/ Collaboration:

• Work and maintain relationships with town, state and federal agencies, conservation and wildlife related organizations, and regional rehabilitators

• Attend and contribute to wildlife rehabilitator conferences, roundtables, and workshops

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6. Research:

• Assist with development, implementation, and collaboration of research projects related to conservation medicine as needed

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B. Organization-Wide Support, Duties, and Expectations                                                                         10%

• Operates as part of the CFW team by attending All Team Meetings, contributing to policies and procedures, attending 2 out of 4 of the fundraising events

• Punctual and ready to begin work at start time 

• Support and foster positive work culture

• Remaining up to date with organizational policies, protocols, messaging, and handbook

• Maintaining a growth mindset and being active in critical thinking and problem solving processes with coworker

• Recommends initiatives and changes to improve quality and services for CFW and areas of responsibility

• Works with other areas to coordinate workflow and activities to insure a seamless operation

• Prepares progress reports, informs supervisor of project status and deviation from goals

• Ensures completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of all operation functions

• Establishes rapport with diverse range of staff, interns, volunteers, and constituents

• Maintains dignity and self-control in difficult situations

• Assists staff in other areas as needed, all other duties as assigned

 

 

II. QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

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To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

 

• Basic knowledge of native species and their natural histories

• Physical fitness to work on feet for 8-10 hours (with breaks), lift up to 30 pounds, and safely restrain large raptors, waterbirds, and mammals

• Ability to utilize direct communication

• Experience motivating and training volunteers and interns

• Strong organizational and multitasking skills

• Ability to follow and uphold CFW policies and procedures

• Ability to maintain confidential information

• Ability to accomplish daily tasks and time manage

• Must already have preventative rabies vaccinations or acquire them within 60 days of start date on their own accord

• Interpret technical procedures or regulations

• Ability to follow instructions, directions, protocols and processes

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from staff and the general public

• Ability to identify problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions

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III. WORKING CONDITIONS

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This position is full-time, hourly. Not to exceed 40 hours per week and some nights and weekends required. Extended work hours periodically required. Work is subject to inflexible deadlines.

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The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented.

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IV. EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

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BA/BS from a four-year college or university in the fields of wildlife ecology, biology, zoology, or pre-vet preferred. Relevant experience in wildlife rehabilitation and medical care required.