Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician

Full-time, Salary

The Hawaii Wildlife Center is looking for 1 Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician (WRT) to assist in the care of native Hawaiian birds. The WRT assists the Wildlife Rehabilitator (WR) and the Director of Wildlife Rehabilitation and Veterinary Medicine (DWRVM) in animal handling and restrain, care, rehabilitation, and cleaning at the rehabilitation facility. The WRT takes direction from the WR and DWRVM and the WRT fills in as rehabilitator when the WR and DWRVM are off.

The WRT helps to ensure that the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Center’s high standards for animal welfare are met through appropriate wildlife care practices, husbandry, and daily hospital maintenance tasks. The WRT also contributes to and sometimes leads projects that further HWC’s mission.

Must have a strong interest in learning about the natural history and conservation issues of native and migratory Hawaiian birds and the Hawaiian Hoary Bat, Hawai‘i’s only native terrestrial mammal. Experience in seabird and raptor rehabilitation preferred, but training will be provided.

Duties and Responsibilities include:

Understand and comply with the Hawai‘i Wildlife Center’s policies, code of ethics, philosophies, and protocols
Assist the WR with wildlife in care from admission to release, including handling and restraint, intake exams, triage, critical care, provision of medical and nutritional treatment and support, charting progress and moving patients through the rehabilitation process in a timely manner
Perform routine diagnostics (PCV/TP, fecals) and assist with necropsies
Assist with anesthesia
Correctly identify avian species, learn natural history and developmental stages, diet and housing for appropriate care
Communicate regularly with the WR about patient status and any changes noticed during daily care
Update medical records per the direction of the WR
Perform procedures such as bandaging and splinting per the direction of the WR
Maintain a clean and tidy exam room and sanitize surfaces and clean and disinfect exam and surgical instruments, gavage tubes and syringes
Properly spray off linens and do laundry
Clean and prep transport kennels for use and for interisland transport
Prepare foods per the direction of the WR following proper hygienic techniques
Clean and disinfect food dishes following proper techniques and hygiene
Feed birds per the direction of WR
Perform upkeep and improvements to aviaries and pools, including cleaning substrate, building perches, and providing enrichment
Be able to fill in for the WR when they are off, following their directions for current patients and being able to organize transport for and triage and stabilize any new arrivals while communicating regularly with the WR about any patient changes
Be able to work on weekends
Assist in the research and acquisition of supplies for wildlife operations
Maintain inventory of wildlife diets and care supplies
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary environment through routine daily cleaning and disinfection of cages, enclosures, and rooms and sweeping and mopping
Assist in routine predator and pest control
Maintain mealworm/bug colonies and any other live animals (rats, mice, birds, etc.) that may be used for live feeding.
Provide assistance and education to the public over the phone and in person, promoting a positive public image both on-site and off-site, including at outreach programs and career fairs.
Bird rescue, supply pickup, and other tasks that will require driving. HWC has a rescue vehicle that may be used for work purposes.
Coordinate with volunteers and rescue partners for rescues and transfers on other islands and arrange transportation to HWC
Coordinate and train volunteers in wildlife operations areas and assist the DWRVM and WR with training of interns
Other duties as required or assigned

Qualifications required:

Must have a minimum of 1 year of experience with the daily routine of working with a variety of avian species in a rehabilitation setting
Must have a degree in biology or related field from an accredited university or relevant work experience in animal or wildlife care
Must be able to work weekend days and be flexible to change of schedule based on caseload and staffing needs
Ability to maintain accurate and complete medical records and database entry
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with coworkers, interns, volunteers, and the public
Knowledgeable of housing requirements for avian species. Comfortable providing maintenance for such housing and using hand and power tools upon starting the position.
Must have a positive “Can do” attitude, be able to handle stressful situations calmly, demonstrate professionalism, exhibit a strong work ethic and be able to handle physically rigorous work as well as tedious routine work.
Ability to take direction and carry out assignments in a timely manner, whether working independently or as a team
Must have initiative and motivation to identify projects, take charge of daily tasks and learn specific medical and rehabilitative care of various avian species
Willing to make a commitment to the organization’s mission, vision and values as well as to the native wildlife of Hawaiʻi
Ability to lift a minimum of 25 pounds
Legally entitled to work in the United States
Have or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license with no record of major or repeated minor traffic offenses.

SALARY RANGE: $35,000 to $37,500 plus benefits and commensurate with experience.

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, and prescription start after 1-month of employment; and 10-vacation days annually after passing 6-months probationary period; 401k retirement plan.

Application Process: PLEASE FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS PRECISELY. email cover letter, resume, and three references in one document and titled with your last name to info@hawaiiwildlifecenter.org. Please put ‘Rehabilitation Technician Position’ in the subject line.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted. No phone calls please.