Specialist, Lifesaving & Care - Wild Friends

Best Friends Animal Society•Kanab, UT

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Lifesaving and Care Specialists work as part of a team to provide daily hands-on care and medical support to animals at the sanctuary. In the Wild Friends program, the specialist works with native wildlife in the rehabilitation clinic and education program, as well as various adoptable exotic species. The role also works directly with the public to create positive volunteer experiences, provide educational resources, and find adoptive homes. The specialist supports animal lifesaving and adoption efforts, provides customer service to visitors, volunteers, and adopters, and represents Best Friends’ work and the sanctuary’s role in its no-kill goals. The position involves animal care and medical support, visitor and volunteer engagement, maintaining animal areas and facilities, and following organizational safety practices. The schedule is listed as Thursday through Monday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; daily hours and days may vary based on department needs, and weekends, nights, and holidays are included.

Requirements

Previous animal handling experience is required.
Ability to work with, crate, and handle various species, including animals with health or behavioral concerns such as shyness, fearfulness, and aggression.
Basic ability to identify and discuss the medical needs, behavioral characteristics, and individual requirements of different wildlife and domestic animal species.
Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues.
Ability to speak professionally about Best Friends’ activities and positions on issues.
Resourcefulness, adaptability, problem-solving ability, and persistence in working toward department goals.
Strong interpersonal skills; positive, personable, professional, and able to work well with people from different backgrounds.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, organize and manage competing tasks, and communicate clearly and accurately in writing and verbally; strong listening skills.
Basic experience with Microsoft Office products.
Ability to travel up to 10%.
Ability to perform strenuous daily activities, including lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks for extended periods, including typing, sitting, walking, and arm and hand movements.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.
Ability to work with daily exposure to wildlife and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical statuses.
Valid driver’s license held for at least 3 years and ability to qualify to be added to Best Friends’ insurance.
Ability to travel, including overnight stays, when needed.
Ability to work weekends, nights, and holidays; days and hours may vary according to department needs.

Nice To Haves

Experience handling or working with wildlife or non-domestic animals is strongly preferred.
Wildlife rehabilitation experience is a plus.
Experience interacting with the public in a customer-service capacity is preferred.
Familiarity with an open adoption process.
Familiarity with shelter software such as Shelterluv, or willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

Perform all aspects of the adoption process and provide superior customer service to visitors, volunteers, and adopters.
Represent Best Friends’ work and explain the sanctuary’s role in Best Friends’ no-kill goals to visitors and volunteers.
Support a volunteers-first team by helping volunteers maximize their contribution to lifesaving activities and inspiring visitors to continue the work in their communities.
Greet visitors, conduct tours, discuss specific animals and the Wild Friends program, answer questions, and assist visitors with their needs.
Provide basic and routine animal care according to department guidelines, including preparing and distributing diets, cleaning enclosures, and creating and implementing enrichment and training plans.
Support animals with medical issues by administering medication and treatment, preparing special diets, observing and reporting on animals, and helping maintain veterinary records.
Provide enrichment and exercise as directed by leadership, identify animal issues, and share observations with team members and leaders.
Clean work areas and maintain buildings, habitats, and grounds; identify needed maintenance or repairs and report them according to protocol.
Treat others with kindness, compassion, empathy, and respect, and contribute to an inclusive workplace.
Model safe work practices, follow organizational safety rules, and communicate about unsafe practices and conditions.