Songbird Hospital Manager

Position Description
Job Title: Songbird Hospital Manager Department: Hospital
Supervisor(s): Director of Animal Care

WILDCARE – ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION
WildCare is a 501c3 non-profit wildlife hospital and nature education center located in Marin County, California. Our Terwilliger Nature Education Programs reach more than 40,000 Bay Area children and adults every year, and our wildlife hospital treats nearly 4,000 ill, injured and orphaned wild patients each year. Our 24 hour Living With Wildlife Hotline answers thousands of calls to help people through wildlife emergencies, and our WildCare Solutions service provides professional and humane expert solutions to those experiencing “nuisance” wildlife issues. Our advocacy programs enact positive change for wildlife and the environment on many levels. All of our success is due to our dedicated donors, staff and support group of over 300 volunteers who have made these and other valuable wildlife and environmental programs possible for over 40 years!

POSITION SUMMARY
The Songbird Hospital Manager reports to the Director of Animal Care, and assists with animal treatment and volunteer management in both the songbird and clinic branches of the hospital, with the primary focus being in the songbird hospital. The Songbird Hospital Manager, in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Animal Care, oversees Wildlife Technicians, Wildlife Assistants and assists in the management of interns and volunteers.
The primary responsibility of this position is to ensure the highest quality and consistency of patient care through management techniques, direct supervision and training of those in the clinic and creation and implementation of new and enforcement of existing protocols.
The Songbird Hospital Manager must be able to work collaboratively with equal sensitivity to the care of the animals and the needs and requirements of the volunteers and staff in order to build and maintain a respectful and professional culture within rehabilitation functions and throughout WildCare.

ANIMAL CARE RESPONSIBILITIES
● It is understood that all of the responsibilities listed here are performed with the supervision of the Veterinarian, DAC, ADAC, and input from other senior medical staff.
● Maintain smoothly operating shifts so that all of the tasks required to ensure excellent patient care and husbandry are completed by the end of each day for both clinic animals. Duties include but are not limited to: orchestrating the flow of volunteers, daily feeding, medicating and cleaning of all patients, necessary medical treatments, maintaining adequate supplies and ensuring that preparation for the following day’s operations are complete by the end of the day.
● In collaboration with medical staff, develop and execute diagnoses and treatment plans for wildlife accepted under WildCare’s permits. Alter and amend treatment plans as needed throughout the course of care.
● Euthanize animals when necessary, according to WildCare policy and AVMA standards.
● Plan, assist with or assign selection of release sites and coordination of patient releases.
● Must also be cross-trained in and comfortable working in both clinic and songbird areas of the
hospital.
● Must attend a minimum of one annual continuing education training in the field of wildlife
rehabilitation or related medical/animal care field and present learned information to staff.
● Maintain and create relationships with other wildlife hospitals in order to learn and share best
care practices.
● Passerine specific responsibilities:
o Understanding of natural history and subsequent enrichment needs
o Expertise with intake, physical examinations, care progression, and devising appropriate
treatment plans
o Species identification of babies and adults

MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
● The primary responsibility of this position is to ensure the highest quality and consistency of patient care by training others in and enforcing the implementation of WildCare patient care protocols by all medical staff members and volunteers.
o Throughout the year collaborate with senior medical staff to prepare, review, update, create and/or edit these hospital procedures and policies (manuals, postings, trainings) regarding all aspects of patient care, especially medical treatments and husbandry.
o Maintain Reunite Binder and Release Binder
o Create and maintain protocol manuals, binders, etc.
o Collaborate with Volunteer Manager and medical staff to facilitate, teach, update volunteer
orientation and training classes.
● Supervise Wildlife Technicians, Wildlife Assistants, Interns and Volunteers on shifts
● Foster Care Program:
o In conjunction with all med staff, assist in supporting duties that maintain the foster care program, such as pre-season check-ins and supply checks with team leaders and members, updating team rosters, record keeping, keeping intake binder up-to-date, site-visits, etc.
● Actively train and mentor wildlife technicians, assistants, interns and volunteers
● In conjunction with Assistant Director of Animal Care, conduct annual performance reviews of
Songbird Hospital wildlife technicians and assistants that work on your shifts
● Assist in creation and modification of training and evaluation programs for hospital interns and
volunteers, including volunteer supervisors
● Attend monthly staff and volunteer meetings
● Attend and participate in annual Volunteer Orientations and training classes
● Build and maintain a collaborative, respectful and professional culture within rehabilitation
functions, and help build and maintain the same culture across WildCare

QUALIFICATIONS
● Must have a minimum of 3 years hands-on songbird medical and husbandry experience
● Minimum of 3 years experience in general wildlife rehabilitation with at least 1 year in a
supervisory position
● Licensed, permitted and/or certified wildlife rehabilitator preferred, but not required
● Degree in biology, zoology, or related field preferred but not required
● Due to nature of responsibilities with controlled substances, must pass state and federal
background check and have no pertinent criminal history
● Must have or be able/willing to get rabies prophylactic vaccine
● Ability to work flexible, constantly changing days and hours including nights, weekends and
holidays. Must be willing to be on-call at certain pre-scheduled times
● Experience teaching and creating basic and advanced skills classes and trainings
● Computer literate, comfortable with Microsoft Office Suite (Google Docs, Excel, Word, Powerpoint,
Outlook) and other basic programs
● Must be able to lift/move 50 pounds, endure long workdays in a physically and emotionally
demanding setting while maintaining focus, accuracy and physical activities required by the job. DESIRED
SKILLS & CHARACTERISTICS
● Ability and desire to facilitate communication between all levels of hospital staff and volunteers by promoting and implementing conflict resolution
● Ability to work in a fast paced environment
● Great organizational skills
● Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
● Ability to prioritize well and work well under pressure
● Experience teaching or mentoring, either in a group or individual context
● Experience creating and implementing protocols
● Ability and willingness to follow directions and ask for clarification or assistance when needed
● Positive team player

COMPENSATION
Salaried position, $66,560 ($32/hr)
This is a full-time, exempt position including dental and health insurance options, 401k plan, vacation and sick time accrual.
There is a 6 month probationary period
The position is currently open, review of applicants to begin immediately
WildCare does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, national origin, political affiliation or mental or physical handicap.

TO APPLY
Send resume and cover letter, including 2 professional reference contacts to:
Melanie Piazza
Director of Animal Care
melanie@discoverwildcare.org Subject Line: Songbird Hospital Manager Application