Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician

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 in the first 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.