Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician

The wildlife rehabilitation technician reports to the lead wildlife technician, wildlife rehabilitation manager and the head veterinarian and will work in a team environment for the daily hospital and rehabilitation operation; overseeing the initial and continuing treatment of injured and orphaned wildlife; supervision of volunteers on shift in the hospital and in satellite locations; public interaction and communication to aid with wildlife questions and concerns as well as with hospital intakes.

The priorities for this position are to 1) strengthen the wildlife rehabilitation program, and; 2) save the lives of injured and orphaned wild animals in our care by ensuring that treatment of all wildlife in our care is executed to the highest achievable level with the assistance of assistants, interns and volunteers in hospital and in satellite locations; 3) Strong communication and teamwork skills; 4) Ability to work professionally in a high stress environment; 5) Strong independent nursing skills.

The wildlife rehabilitation technician:

• Is responsible for the triage, initial treatment, and continuing care of sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife; working closely with the veterinarians to implement and manage appropriate medical treatments and procedures for rehabilitating animals. (Note: Certain duties may require an RVT license.)
• Works in cooperation with other rehabilitation staff and volunteers to provide quality care for wild animal patients, meet department goals, and further the museum’s mission of inspiring and connecting people with wildlife in order to make the world we share healthier and safer for all of us.
• Needs to be conservation motivated and be able to see the bigger picture.
• Ensures that excellent customer service—to volunteers, coworkers, the public, and the patients—is consistently administered.

Primary Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Cooperatively manage the flow of cases through the day; assist in managing volunteer teams to maximize care and ensure all work is completed satisfactorily; ensure that charts and records are accurately updated as needed. Conduct (or supervise) exams, basic wound treatment, administer fluids and supportive care, medication and treatments. Utilize medical protocols and procedures established by the veterinarian. Perform euthanasias when necessary.
• Work cooperatively as an effective team member with staff and volunteers to ensure the highest standards of hygiene, husbandry, safety and customer service in the hospital and in satellite locations.
• Assist with and perform: anesthesia (induction, intubation, maintenance, recovery, records); radiographs; wound care; blood draws; catheter placement; other medical procedures directed by veterinarian. (Note: some tasks are specific for RVTs only)
• Lab work: Prepare and read parasitology samples, cytology, blood smears, and other laboratory diagnostics.
• Set up and clean up medical procedures including maintenance of surgical instruments, spaces, and diagnostic equipment.
• Communicate post-op surgical and medical care to Animal Encounters keepers, other technicians, and volunteers as needed to facilitate care.
• Participate in updating husbandry and clinical protocols.
• Coordinate animal moves in the hospital and in satellite locations to make sure animals graduate between enclosures and move through the system appropriately.
• Answer phone calls; help the public and volunteers with wildlife issues and questions.
• Present Behind the Scenes (BTS) presentations that highlight the work of the hospital. Work with the Education Department to make sure the BTS message reflects Lindsay’s mission.

Participate in the training of assistants, volunteers and interns, both initial training and continuing education; assist with updating training materials as needed.

Qualifications

• Must work well with staff, volunteers and the general public. Be a good team player.
• Minimum of two years’ experience working in a wildlife rehabilitation program.
• Technical nursing skills in the exotic animal field, diagnostics and wound care required.
• Knowledge of natural history and husbandry for native California wildlife.
• Must be able to work weekends, some evenings and some holidays.
• California RVT license is desirable.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Lindsay’s wildlife hospital can be fast-paced, intense, and emotionally fraught for staff, volunteers, and the public. The successful candidate should possess the situational awareness to navigate this environment.

• Have empathy, compassion, patience, and be able to make and execute difficult emotional decisions regarding the lives of injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife.
• Self-motivated and able to prioritize on the fly.
• There is a frequent need to stand, stoop, twist, walk, lift animal crates and other objects(up to 50 pounds), and stand on a concrete floor for up to 10 hours/day.
• Will be handling/restraining sick, injured and orphaned native wild animals; exposure to zoonosis, bites, scratches and other potential injury.
• Pre-exposure rabies vaccinations; if none at time of hire must be willing to obtain within three months of employment.
• Applicants should expect exposure to allergens normally present in an environment containing mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
• Lindsay Wildlife Experience is a drug-free, smoke-free environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Medium strength demands include exerting 20-50 pounds occasionally, 10- 25 pounds frequently, or up to 10 pounds constantly. Requires handling, using vision and hearing, and talking.
• Frequently requires standing, fine dexterity, walking, lifting, sitting, reaching, pushing/pulling, balancing, and twisting. Occasionally requires carrying, kneeling, foot controls, bending, and crouching. Rarely requires climbing.

NON-PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Frequent time constraints, multitasking, irregular schedule/overtime, working closely with others as part of a team, tedious or exacting work, and noisy/distracting environment. Rarely requires emergency situations.

OVERALL WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards.
• Primarily office environment, as well as public exhibit hall programming, and infrequent outdoor event and/or outreach sites.

Hours, Benefits & Compensation

This is a part-time, non-exempt, hourly position and will require weekend and occasional holiday work. Lindsay Wildlife benefits include vacation, sick and holiday paid time-off.

EEO POLICY STATEMENT

It is the policy of Lindsay Wildlife Experience to afford equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizen status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic or status that is protected by federal, state or local law.

How to Apply / Contact

To apply for this position, please send together in one file your cover letter, resume, and two references to jobs@lindsaywildlife.org. In the title of your email, write “Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician.” PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 24 – 30 per week

Benefits:

• Continuing education credits
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Holidays
• Overtime
• Weekends as needed

Experience:

• Veterinary or Wildlife: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Walnut Creek, CA 94597 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Walnut Creek, CA 94597: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17