Permanent (with option of being seasonal) Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician Position

Think Wild is seeking a permanent wildlife rehabilitation technician for full time during busy season (April-September) and part time during slow season (October-March). This position reports to the Director of Wildlife Rehabilitation. Compensation starts at $17-20 per hour DOE. Think Wild is a non-profit wildlife hospital and conservation center located in Bend, Oregon that accepts most native wildlife species including raptors, waterfowl, passerines, and mammals.

Position Duties:

Wildlife Hospital (80%)
Perform examinations and basic rehabilitation assessments on incoming patients. Administer medical treatments, maintain animal care records and date entry of these records.
Lead and assist animal care volunteers in fulfilling daily care plans of wildlife patients including but not limited to nutritional, caging and medical needs
Assist in maintaining complete and accurate patient records, and surgery, radiology, laboratory, necropsy and controlled substance logs
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 animal care volunteers, and interns. Delegate and ensure satisfactory completion of tasks. Ensure that animals are being handled in a manner that maximizes human and animal safety. Ensure that protocols to minimize risk of contraction of zoonotic disease are being adhered to
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
Encourage donations during intakes, rescues and hotline calls
Drive Think Wild vehicle, when necessary, to rescue and transport wildlife and rehabilitation supplies. Assist in the coordination and release of animals as needed
Assist the DWR in revising species protocols and rehabilitation research as needed
Work directly with the Wildlife Veterinarian to assure the safety and health of wildlife patients, assuring that all veterinary procedures are performed in a highly efficient and effective manner
Perform daily activities that include patient rounds, emergency and critical care treatment, restraint and handling of animals, routine collection and analysis of laboratory diagnostic samples (in-house and outside labs), radiographic positioning and imaging, performing anesthetic procedures, surgical assisting, and monitoring the vital signs and condition of wildlife patients in the perioperative period
Evaluate health and behavioral needs of patients and communicate needs to the Wildlife Veterinarian and DWR
Humanely euthanize wildlife patients according to written policies and procedures, including completing Certified Euthanasia Technician training
Ensure compliance with established disease control, and health and safety rules
Maintain a high level of cleanliness, sanitation, disinfection and quality control in the treatment, surgery, radiology and laboratory areas
May be assigned other duties by the DWR

Wildlife Hotline (20%)
Answer wildlife hotline during open hours or call back within one hour of call
Respond to incoming hotline calls in a timely and professional manner – assess situations, provide accurate information and resolve wildlife issues with members of the public
Provide wildlife education advice over the hotline as appropriate, including renesting and reuniting directions, humane exclusion methods, safe capture and transport, etc. Follow up via text or email as necessary.
Log all hotline calls in hotline call log
Respond to patient update follow-up texts and calls
Coordinate volunteer rescue and transport of sick, injured or orphaned wildlife to appropriate facility as needed in Slack
Solicit donations during animal intakes
Assist with wildlife drop-offs, admit donations, and fill out and log wildlife admit forms in WRMD
Assist with other wildlife rescue and rehabilitation duties as needed

Requirements:
1 year experience working or volunteering in a wildlife rehabilitation center or other wild animal care or veterinary setting required
Willing to obtain Certified Euthanasia Technician (CET) within 90 days of hire
Must have a high school diploma or equivalent, and be able to read, write, and speak clearly in English so that written and verbal instructions can be followed
B.A. or B.S. in wildlife science, biology, environmental science or similar field preferred
Must be a self-starter, able to take initiative and work independently in an efficient and productive manner. Must have good time management. Must be organized and flexible, and be able to balance multiple projects
Must be able to work cooperatively with people, and to communicate clearly about Think Wild’s mission. Must also be able to represent Think Wild in a professional manner, at all times
Must be able to work maturely and respectfully with diverse groups of people, and maintain high-quality public relations. Must possess excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, and be able to assist in creating a positive work environment built on team concepts
Must have basic computer skills
Must be able to respectfully work around wild animals so as to not cause unnecessary stress
Valid driver’s license
Rabies vaccination preferred
Must be able to stand for long periods, lift up to 40 lbs, work outdoors in various weather conditions and react quickly to potentially hazardous situations involving wildlife
Willingness to follow all COVID-19 precautions, including mask wearing, hand washing, and supporting children in health and safety precautions.

Contact Pauline Hice at pauline@thinkwildco.org with questions. Please no calls.

Applications must be submitted via email at pauline@thinkwildco.org. For full consideration, please submit a resume, cover letter, and three references. This position is open until filled, interviewing as soon as possible.