Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist

Chintimini Wildlife Center 

The Chintimini Wildlife Center provides care for injured and orphaned wildlife with the goal of returning them to their natural habitat, and fosters a connection between people and wildlife through education. Chintimini is home to a wildlife rehabilitation clinic, a raptor conservation program and an education program – all located right outside Corvallis, Oregon. 

Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist Position Description

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist will work with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Team to provide care to rehabilitation patients in our clinic. The specialist is responsible for performing the triage, initial treatment, and continuing care for sick, orphaned, and injured wildlife. The specialist works under the direction of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager and/or other staff to follow procedures for rehabilitating animals.

This position works in cooperation with other rehabilitation staff, interns, and volunteers to provide quality care for wild animal patients, meet program goals, and further the organization’s mission of protecting and celebrating Oregon’s native wildlife. The position ensures that excellent customer service to volunteers, interns, coworkers, the public, and the patients is consistently administered. An approximate breakdown of those duties can be found below, but is subject to change dependent on the season and needs of the center. 

Animal Care: 70%

• Provide care to each patient according to an approved treatment plan as directed by the program director, specialist, or veterinarian.
• Care may include: conducting or supervising exams, providing basic wound treatment, bandaging (including simple wing wraps), administering fluids and supportive care, accurately dosing and administering medication, performing physical therapy, and other tasks assigned by the veterinarian and/or program director.
• Hand feeding or tubing of infant/juvenile wildlife patients of all species
• Utilize only medical protocols and procedures established by the veterinarian(s).
• Perform euthanasia when necessary, as directed and according to program policy.
• Ensure that patient charts and records are accurately updated in accordance with program policy.
• Advanced care to hospital patients (under the supervision of the manager/veterinarian)
• Lab work: Prepare and read fecal, blood lead test, cytology, and other diagnostics.
• Assist with and/or perform: anesthesia (induction, intubation, maintenance, recovery, records); radiographs; wound cleaning; splints; blood draws; other medical procedures directed by the manager/veterinarian.
• Assist veterinarian(s) with scheduled and emergency surgeries.
• Assist with providing medical care for CWC’s ambassador animals according to program policy and/or at the direction of the veterinarian and/or education program director.

Daily Support (15%)

• Supervise teams of staff, interns, and volunteers to maximize efficiency and quality of patient care and ensure all work is completed satisfactorily
• Ensure daily cleaning and disinfecting of all areas as necessary to maintain a safe and sanitary environment throughout the hospital and facility.
• Ensure that animal husbandry needs are met for all animals in care including food, dietary supplements, water, enrichment, and enclosure setup.
• Immediately report incidents and injuries that occur on shift to the manager and/or executive director.
• Staff the wildlife hotline:
• Answer and/or return phone calls as directed, typically to provide patient updates and/or to advise a caller on a wildlife conflict (illness, injury, or similar situation)
• Recommend solutions which may include hospital admission, referrals to other agencies, supportive care, or no solution needed.
• Log all hotline calls in online database

• Maintain timely correspondence with team members throughout the day via email, phone, electronic messages, and walkie-talkie.
• Admit new patients:
• Identify species upon admission
• Participate in intake process including intake exam, as requested

Operational Support of Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic (15%):

• Attend and participate in staff/program meetings as requested.
• Maintain professional and timely email correspondence from an employer-provided email account.
• Inventory and maintain animal care/medical supplies and food supplies. Communicate with the manager when supplies or other items need to be restocked.
• Identify, report, and/or resolve maintenance issues in a timely manner. Work cooperatively across all departments to accommodate the completion of construction and maintenance projects.
• Work cooperatively as an effective team member with staff and volunteers to ensure the highest standards of animal husbandry, safety, sanitation, and customer service within the hospital, between CWC programs, and out in the community.
• Perform other duties, as assigned, to ensure a positive public image, enhance the operation of the organization, and improve the quality of life for animals in the organization’s care.

Minimum Qualifications 

The ideal candidate must have/be: 

• 18 years of age
• Graduated from high school or received a GED
• One or more years of experience in a wildlife rehabilitation setting
• Basic knowledge of wildlife rehabilitation standards including identification, species-specific diet & habitat needs, diagnostics, and restraint
• Commitment to following wildlife rehabilitation standards for quality of life, including the responsible use of euthanasia when an acceptable standard is not realistically possible
• Alignment with CWC’s philosophy on wildlife rehabilitation including policy on nonnative species
• Demonstrated passion for CWC’s mission
• Excellent time management skills
• Strong verbal communication & customer service skills
• Ability to foster teamwork, lead by example, approach problems in a solutions-oriented manner, and create a positive work environment through appropriate and timely communication.
• Be punctual, detail-oriented, professional, and dependable
• Successful applicants will be required to pass a background check including motor vehicle records
• Willingness to follow all COVID-19 precautions, including wearing a mask both indoors and outdoors

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred qualifications for all applicants include:

• Bachelor’s degree in animal science, animal husbandry, biology, zoology, fisheries & wildlife science, or a related area
• Two or more years of experience in wildlife rehabilitation, preferably with species native to Oregon
• Training and/or certification from the IWRC, NWRA, OWRA, or a similar organization
• Knowledge of Oregon’s native flora and fauna
• Rabies pre-exposure vaccination

Working Conditions:

Duties will be performed on Chintimini’s 9.4-acre property which includes grassland, wetland (including a large pond), riparian and deciduous bottomland forest habitats. Must be able to stand for long periods of time, and frequently lift 25-50 pounds. Candidates will be working with/near live animals, so should be prepared for a job that is as messy as it is rewarding! 

Compensation and Schedule:

Compensation: starting wage is $15/hour

Schedule: This is a seasonal six-month position, taking place from April-September or May-October. This position is scheduled to work 40 hours per week, in five 8-hour shifts. Shifts will typically be 7 a – 3:30 p or 11:30 a – 7 p with a 30 minute lunch break. This position has the opportunity to become permanent after six months of employment.

Anticipated start date: on or before April 1st, 2024