What are the responsibilities and job description for the Conservation and Recovery Specialist position at White Oak Conservation?
Job Title: Conservation and Recovery Specialist
Reports To: Lead Conservation and Recovery Specialist
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Effective Date: January 2, 2025
White Oak conserves and sustains some of the earth's rarest wild animals through innovative training, research, education, and conservation breeding programs that contribute to the survival of wildlife in nature. The conservation programs span 600 acres along the St. Mary’s River in northeast Florida, surrounded by 17,000 acres of mixed forest and wetlands that make up the beautiful White Oak property. Founded in 1982, White Oak leads professional efforts to improve veterinary care, develop holistic animal management techniques, and better understand the biology of critically endangered species by providing excellent care and managing conservation programs for over 30 species of imperiled wildlife in large, naturalistic habitats.
Position Purpose:
The Conservation and Recovery Specialist will work as part of the White Oak team to maintain exceptional standards of animal care and facility management, focusing on White Oak’s species recovery programs. The goal is to support and expand these programs to achieve conservation targets, including assisting with restoration of populations such as the whooping crane, Mississippi sandhill crane, Florida grasshopper sparrow, and American red wolf through rearing and release initiatives. While the primary focus of this position is avian recovery programs, it also involves work with other taxa, including carnivores and potentially amphibians. Experience with passerines and/or canids is preferred.
Responsibilities and Tasks:
The essential duties and responsibilities of this position include the following. Other duties may be assigned, and some duties may be shared with other personnel, or may not be assigned at all.
• Participate in the daily care of the animals in designated area, to include: preparing diets, washing dishes, feeding, cleaning, medicating, observing, training and enrichment activities;
• Participate with animal restraint, incubation/hatching, hand-rearing when appropriate, animal transfers, introductions, operant conditioning; area research projects; assisted reproduction in cranes; passerine mist-netting.
• Foster regular department delivery of guest engagement programs featuring wildlife populations;
• Assist veterinarian staff with animal care procedures, treatment and sample collection, as directed by area supervisor;
• Notify supervisor of facility maintenance needs, supplies and animal feed needed in the area;
• Assist with minor animal care facilities maintenance including: mowing, weed eating, pressure washing, dirt and substrate work, and limb pick up, and minor repairs;
• Report facility and equipment care needs;
• Maintain meticulous records and reports related to wildlife;
• Must accurately collect, maintain, organize, and assemble data and spreadsheets for analysis on a regular basis;
• Maintain, clean and organize work and break areas, food storage and prep areas, vehicles and equipment;
• Significant camera trap operation, maintenance, and review;
• Responsible for the daily care of several invertebrate prey species and for the collection of wild invertebrate prey species;
• Observe and ensure area safety protocol, safe vehicle and equipment operation;
• Pest management activities;
• Assist with intern training, mentoring, and coaching;
• Participate with trainings including animal husbandry and management, ZIMS record keeping, research, conservation and recovery projects, and education projects;
• Participate in prescribed fire within and amongst animal habitats;
• Championing organizational efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging;
• Perform other duties that are not specifically identified above but are required to care for White Oak’s wildlife populations and programs.
Qualifications:
• High School Diploma/GED required, Bachelor’s degree preferred
• One year of animal/wildlife experience required
• Species conservation program experience preferred
• Strong oral and written communication, and
• Relevant basic computer skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Experience operating small equipment and farm machinery desired – mowers, weed-eaters, pressure washer, tractor or skid steer loader, towing utility/stock trailers
• Flexible and adaptable
• Highly collaborative and team-oriented
• Passion for White Oak’s mission and genuine appreciation for wildlife and conservation
• The ideal team player will:
o be resilient, show initiative, and demonstrate a healthy commitment to going above and beyond;
o focus on team success and define success collaboratively versus individually;
o work with colleagues in mind, be a good listener, and be willing to seek information and assistance when necessary.
Special Working Conditions:
• Must have valid drivers’ license
• Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift, push, pull, carry, or otherwise move objects, climb a 5-foot ladder and work outdoors in all conditions
• Must be able to work holidays, nights and weekends when required.
White Oak Conservation is committed to creating an environment where diverse perspectives are welcome, and to nurturing a culture where everyone feels valued and appreciated. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law.
