SEASONAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR ASSISTANT - PT 2025

Summary:  Wildlife rehabilitators are responsible for the care of injured, sick, or orphaned animals. Responsibilities include providing our patient animals with food, shelter, and medical attention until they’re healthy enough to be released back into their natural habitat. 

Major Functions and Responsibilities

Wildlife rehabilitators have a wide range of responsibilities which can include:

• General animal care and husbandry of recovering wildlife at OWC’s Pre-Release Facility
• Observing animals’ behavior, interactions with each other, and reactions to stimuli in their environment in order to determine their best care plan
• Cleaning and maintenance of wildlife areas and enclosures
• Cleaning and maintenance of clinic stations including kitchen, reception, etc
• Provide daily care of patients including preparation and distribution of appropriate diets and fresh water for patients
• Regular health checks for patients (body condition, behavior, weight, etc)
• Communicating with hospital and management for any health issues observed
• Provide appropriate housing to meet each species needs
• Maintaining detailed records of treatments and observations of each animal’s progress over time
• Understanding life history of wildlife patients
• Provide species appropriate enrichment
• Assists interns and volunteers in orphan program management and support
• Release preparation and assessment
• Assist in coordinating releases through contacting presenters and landowners

Safety and Operations

• Works closely with Facilities department to ensure safety and maintenance of PRF structures/caging and participates in upkeep of minor structural repairs and improvements
• Maintains constant focus on safe workplace practices; Minimizes risk to staff, volunteers and animals
• Coordinates kitchen/ food delivery and preparation & storage procedures
• Ensures hospital and PRF cleanliness & safety includes but not limited to shared space with ACU, laundry room, reception area and office space;
• Understands and ensures compliance with federal, state and local regulations

Other Duties

• Upholds policies and procedures of Ohio Wildlife Center animal care and humane treatment
• Regularly recognizes and thanks volunteers to encourage continued involvement
• Creates and maintains a positive working environment
• Maintains constant focus on safe workplace practices
• Understands and ensures compliance with federal, state and local regulations
• Actively participates in organizational and departmental fundraising efforts
• Personally commits to Ohio Wildlife Center’s Core Values and organizational
• policies and procedures
• Assists other team members carry out organizational tasks when necessary
• Attends required team and organizational meetings
• Works evenings and weekends as required, willingness for occasional travel is
• necessary
• Performs additional duties as assigned

Required Abilities and Skills

• Excellent oral and written communications skills; including public speaking
• Competency in basic word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software
• Experience in conflict resolution and strong creative problem-solving skills
• Understanding of and commitment to the role and mission of Ohio Wildlife Center
• Physically fit; able to lift 50 pounds and no aversion to inclement weather
• Obtain rabies vaccinations (upon employment) and maintain titers
• Clean background check, valid Ohio motor vehicle operator’s license and good driving record
• Well versed on laws of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ohio Division of Wildlife, and animal regulations of local municipalities
• Maintain professional appearance (includes wearing appropriate, well-kept uniform)
• Adhere to policies and operating standards of Ohio Wildlife Center
• Positively promote Ohio Wildlife Center’s programs and services
• Maintain positive attitude and public image at all times
• Strong communication skills with other professionals, such as veterinarians, to ensure the health of the animals they treat. They also communicate with the public to educate them about wildlife rehabilitation and to encourage them to report injured animals.
• Ability to solve problems by researching solutions and implementing them.
• Attention to details and organizational skills, as they often have many responsibilities and tasks to complete.
• Adaptability as may be exposed to weather conditions that may change throughout the day as well as work with a variety of animals, some of which may be more challenging to care for than others.

Necessary Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelors or Associate degree in related field (e.g., wildlife management, zoology, biology) or equivalent experience, desired
• Extensive knowledge of general biology of native Ohio wildlife
• Working knowledge and understanding of wildlife rehabilitation in Ohio
• Minimum one year of animal care and husbandry experience

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements: 

The following physical requirements must be met by a candidate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Employees are regularly required to use steps; stand on feet for up to four hours at a time; balance, stoop and kneel; lift and/or move 25 pounds and sit at a desk while using a keyboard.  Position also requires employees to see, read, talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is also frequently required to walk and reach with arms and hands. The employee is occasionally required to climb and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and work outdoors in inclement weather. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.