Zoo Society Billable 1 - Intern - Zoo Rehab - TE

City of Abilene•Abilene, TX

20h

About The Position

Under immediate supervision of the Veterinarians and/or the Zookeeper I/II/III – Avian Rehab, the Intern – Zoo Rehab - Temporary will learn to perform a variety of duties involved in the care and well-being of bird rehabilitation patients. Such duties will include learning to maintain medical and husbandry records, preparing diets for a variety of species, building habitats for a variety of species, and communicating with the public regarding all aspects of Bird Rehabilitation. This position’s purpose is to prepare an intern for a job as a rehabilitator. Employees have access to controlled substances in the performance of their job duties. Therefore, employees are required to not have any previous felony convictions related to a controlled substance.

Requirements

Knowledge of safe driving principles and practices.
Knowledge of general animal care and behavior.
Knowledge of hazards and inherent dangers involved in working with zoo animals.
Skill to operate a food grinder, lawn mower, and incubator.
Skill to safely operate a motor vehicle.
Ability to learn the diet and nutritional requirements of various birds.
Ability to learn to respond to an animal or public related emergency to prevent injury.
Ability to learn to open, enter, exit, and secure animal enclosures, and service areas.
Ability to learn to net, capture and/or restrain animals of extreme size, strength, and ability.
Ability to learn to handle, examine, and move without harming sick, injured, and/or struggling small animals.
Ability to follow and carry out specific oral and written instructions.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
Ability to follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
Ability to perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
A High School Diploma or a GED is required.
A valid Driver’s License, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.
Bloodborne Pathogens training and HazCom training are required within sixty (60) days of employment.
Exposure to cold, heat, outdoors, and chemicals, ability to travel to different sites.
Requires the ability to work a flexible work schedule that includes nights, holidays, and weekends.
Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds

Nice To Haves

Previous experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Learn proper handling and capture of a variety of bird species and how to enter enclosures with a wild bird.
Become proficient in the basic husbandry for a variety of bird species.
Assist with the routine feeding, diet prep, and daily care of the wild Bird Rehabilitation.
Prepare Bird Rehabilitation diets each day using various grains, produce, bugs, whole prey items, live prey items, fish, and meat. This will include using knives.
Help maintain all indoor and outdoor facilities at the Bird Rehabilitation Center by cleaning, disinfecting, and performing general maintenance as needed.
Assist with medical exams and triage care of Bird Rehabilitation patients. This may include medication or fluid administration, wound management, bandage application, and oxygen administration.
Learn to respond to an animal emergency in a calm manner and prevent injury to self or others.
Accession Bird Rehabilitation patients from the public and maintain medical records according to policies, including daily husbandry logs, medical records, and prescription logs.
Identify and communicate concerns (medical or otherwise) to the Veterinarians or other management in a timely manner.
Operate a City vehicle and other equipment on and off zoo grounds.
Assist the Zookeeper I/II/III – Avian Rehab and Veterinary Technicians to provide husbandry to any quarantined or hospitalized patients.
Complete an intern project while employed and present a PowerPoint presentation at the end of the internship.
Perform other job related duties and responsibilities as assigned.