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

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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.

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Education and Qualification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a biology- or animal-related field or equivalent experience

• Minimum combined 1 year experience working, interning, or volunteering in a wildlife rehabilitation center, veterinary office, zoological park, or related setting

• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a diverse team and maintain a positive and productive work environment

• Ability to handle individual animals in a caring and respectful manner

• Ability to make euthanasia decisions and perform euthanasia

• Ability to act decisively regarding dynamic animal cases and situations for which there may be no existing protocols

• Ability to work quickly, efficiently, and calmly under stressful conditions; handle multiple tasks and a demanding workload

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• A valid driver’s license with no record of major or repeated minor traffic offenses

• 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

• Must be available to work evenings and weekends as needed

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Previous experience working with native wildlife in a rehabilitation setting (other domestic or exotic animal care experience is beneficial)

• Knowledge of natural history and behavior of native wildlife species

• Experience working with volunteers

• High level of professionalism

• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office

Start and End Dates:

The start and end dates of this position are flexible

• The start date will be on or after March 21, 2022

• 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

• 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:

• 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.

• Thoroughly examine, assess, and triage incoming patients.

• Administer medical treatments and carry out long-term treatment plans according to WRC Animal Care policies.

• Evaluate health and behavioral needs of patients and communicate needs to supervisory staff.

• Handle/restrain a variety of species, while ensuring that animals are being handled in a manner that maximizes both human and animal safety.

• Humanely euthanize wildlife patients according to policies and procedures.

• Maintain animal care records and data entry of these records.

• Assist Intake & Rescue Coordinator in the coordination of transport and release of animals as needed.

• Fulfill daily care plans of wildlife patients, including but not limited to nutritional, caging, and medical needs.

• Ensure cages and facilities are cleaned and maintained daily, feeding schedules are adhered to, and other animal care needs are met.

• Supervise, train, and mentor new volunteers and interns/externs and ensure satisfactory completion of tasks.

• Ensure compliance with established disease control and health & safety rules.

• Ensure that protocols to minimize risk of contraction of zoonotic disease are being adhered to.

• Maintain a high level of cleanliness, sanitation, disinfection, and quality control in all areas of the facility.

• Wash and sterilize dishes and instruments used for wildlife patients.

• Adhere to MDC, USFW, and USDA guidelines and regulations.

• 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.​

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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

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