
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Seasonal Animal Care Specialist
Reports to: Animal Care Leadership
Type of Position: Seasonal/Part-time (24-32 hours/week)
Availability Requirements: All shifts, including evenings and weekends
Closing date: When position is filled
Purpose of Position: Work with a team of volunteers and staff to complete animal care tasks. Triage and treat animals admitted to the Center and perform a variety of animal care duties including medical care, husbandry, and facilities upkeep.
Education and Qualification Requirements:
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Bachelor’s degree in a biology- or animal-related field or equivalent experience
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Minimum combined 1 year experience working, interning, or volunteering in a wildlife rehabilitation center, veterinary office, zoological park, or related setting
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Ability to work both independently and as a member of a diverse team and maintain a positive and productive work environment
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Ability to handle individual animals in a caring and respectful manner
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Ability to make euthanasia decisions and perform euthanasia
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Ability to act decisively regarding dynamic animal cases and situations for which there may be no existing protocols
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Ability to work quickly, efficiently, and calmly under stressful conditions; handle multiple tasks and a demanding workload
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills
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A valid driver’s license with no record of major or repeated minor traffic offenses
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Ability to work cooperatively with people and to communicate clearly about WRC’s mission, the care and treatment of animals, and the safety of the public, other staff, and volunteers
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Must be available to work evenings and weekends as needed
Preferred Skills/Experience:
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Previous experience working with native wildlife in a rehabilitation setting (other domestic or exotic animal care experience is beneficial)
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Knowledge of natural history and behavior of native wildlife species
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Experience working with volunteers
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High level of professionalism
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Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
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Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
Start and End Dates:
The start and end dates of this position are flexible
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The start date will be on or after March 21, 2022
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The end date will be as early as October 31, 2022 and as late as November 30, 2022, depending primarily on the number and types of animals remaining in care
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Seasonal Animal Care Specialist must be available for a minimum of 30 weeks and understands that his/her term of employment may not exceed 36 weeks
Duties and Responsibilities:
In accordance with organizational policies, duties include but are not limited to the following:
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Admit animals from the public and provide assistance both in person and over the phone regarding animal rescues, transport, emergency care, and human-wildlife conflicts.
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Thoroughly examine, assess, and triage incoming patients.
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Administer medical treatments and carry out long-term treatment plans according to WRC Animal Care policies.
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Evaluate health and behavioral needs of patients and communicate needs to supervisory staff.
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Handle/restrain a variety of species, while ensuring that animals are being handled in a manner that maximizes both human and animal safety.
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Humanely euthanize wildlife patients according to policies and procedures.
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Maintain animal care records and data entry of these records.
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Assist Intake & Rescue Coordinator in the coordination of transport and release of animals as needed.
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Fulfill daily care plans of wildlife patients, including but not limited to nutritional, caging, and medical needs.
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Ensure cages and facilities are cleaned and maintained daily, feeding schedules are adhered to, and other animal care needs are met.
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Supervise, train, and mentor new volunteers and interns/externs and ensure satisfactory completion of tasks.
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Ensure compliance with established disease control and health & safety rules.
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Ensure that protocols to minimize risk of contraction of zoonotic disease are being adhered to.
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Maintain a high level of cleanliness, sanitation, disinfection, and quality control in all areas of the facility.
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Wash and sterilize dishes and instruments used for wildlife patients.
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Adhere to MDC, USFW, and USDA guidelines and regulations.
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May be assigned other duties by supervisory staff.
Physical Demands:
Must be able to lift a minimum of forty (40) pounds and perform required physical duties as assigned, including standing for long periods of time, bending, stooping, kneeling, pushing/pulling, and working in all types of weather conditions.
How to Apply:
Send the following materials to Kim Rutledge, Executive Director, krutledge@mowildlife.org (no phone calls, please):
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Contact information for three professional references
• Availability