Wildlife Rehabilitator

PROGRESSIVE ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY•Snohomish, WA

2d•$24 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

The Wildlife Rehabilitator provides and coordinates daily animal care at PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, including basic medical care, husbandry, and enrichment for wildlife patients. They train and direct volunteers, interns, and seasonal staff under the supervision of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager. Wildlife rehabilitators are expected to maintain a high quality of care for wildlife patients while maintaining safe animal handling and biosecurity measures, and providing high quality customer service, supporting PAWS mission.

Requirements

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or the equivalent of two years of work in wildlife rehabilitation may be considered, Preference will be given to candidates with degrees in biology or wildlife sciences.
Minimum of one year experience working full time in a wildlife rehabilitation center or a combination of one year experience working in a related field (veterinary technician, zookeeper, field biologist, etc.)
Knowledge of natural history and behavior of native wild species is required.
Must have or be willing to become a Certified Euthanasia technician (CET) to make euthanasia decisions under the direct supervision of the veterinary team, perform euthanasia and handle Control 2 drugs and complete PAWS euthanasia training.
Ideal candidates embrace and embody the five core values of the organization: commitment, compassion, respect, kindness, and trust.
Must be able to act decisively regarding dynamic animal cases and situations for which there may be no existing protocols.
Must be able to handle multiple responsibilities. Must possess good verbal and written communication skills.
Able to communicate professionally about PAWS’ mission, the care and treatment of animals and the safety of the public and other employees.
Ability to work independently, lead a team, and work as part of a diverse team.
Ability to work quickly, efficiently, and calmly under stressful conditions.
Organized, flexible, and able to balance concurrent projects and adjust to rapid, changing needs.
Possess excellent interpersonal, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
Effectively manage people and promote a positive, respectful, and collaborative working environment built on team concepts.
Knowledge of natural history and behavior of native wildlife species is required.
Must be skilled in wildlife care at a wildlife rehabilitator level, including physical exam, feeding, capturing, handling, medication administration, and learn skills quickly on the job.
Must have capacity to make euthanasia decisions and perform euthanasia.
Must be fluent and comfortable with computer applications (Microsoft Office, Excel, and Outlook) and have basic computer skills
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, nights and/or holidays as needed, and flexibility to respond to emergencies as needed.
Pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis will be mandatory.
Tetanus recommended.
Regularly required to stand for long periods of time; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; balance; bend and reach with hands and arms; use feet to operate foot pedal operation; and talk or hear. Occasionally required to climb ladders, sit, stoop, kneel, squat, crouch, or crawl.
Regularly required to talk, hear and use hands to handle or feel.
Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, reach, climb, stoop, kneel, and crouch.
Lifting animals is one of the most physically tasking aspects of the job, must be able to lift a minimum of fifty (50) pounds.
Substantial physical exertion is also required to move and restrain heavy animals.
This position relays heavily on all senses every day to evaluate patients.
The position also spends a moderate amount of time at a computer.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with RaptorMed or other wildlife database systems is preferred.
Advanced wildlife handling skills including the ability to handle raptors, small mammals and large carnivores.
Advanced critical care skills including providing critical treatment to various wildlife under the direction of the vet team.
Must be able to troubleshoot complicated issues with facilities and possess excellent problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

Performs examinations and basic rehabilitation assessments on incoming patients.
Administers care and treatment according to PAWS policies and procedures and the PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Manual and maintaining animal care records and data entry of records.
Evaluates patients nutritional, caging, enrichment, and husbandry needs daily and modifies plans to reflect the patient’s current needs and condition.
Triages patients and performs euthanasia per written SOP’s
Supervises, trains, and mentors volunteers, interns, and seasonal staff in a positive and educational manner to provide the best quality of care to patients as a team.
Assists management with the evaluations of medical and behavioral needs of wild animals by maintaining accurate records and status changes. May provide input into care, euthanasia or transfer decisions as needed.
Ensures that cages, facilities, and areas around enclosures are cleaned and maintained daily, feeding schedules are adhered to and other animal husbandry needs are met.
Leads a staff and volunteer team to satisfactorily complete tasks on time while ensuring animals are handled to maximize human/animal safety and protocols to minimize risk of zoonotic disease are followed.
Attends and participates in daily patient rounds, offering insight into current patient condition and input into care, euthanasia, or transfer decisions
Administering basic medical care according to the PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Manual and PAWS Wildlife standard operating procedures.
Assisting the veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians with treatments, bandaging, vaccines, imaging procedures, and monitoring vital signs of an anesthetized patient as needed.
Lab sample collection and test preparation
Intramuscular and subcutaneous injection
Making triage decisions and euthanizes or assists in euthanizing animals per written policies and procedures.
Performs other health care procedures for animals as provided in written policies and procedures.
Represents PAWS professionally and upholds mission through customer engagement, accurate, humane and courteous advice via electronic, telephone, and in person communications. Promotes co-existence with wildlife.
Drive your own vehicle or a PAWS vehicle as needed to transport wildlife as directed.
Organizes, leads, and completes assigned off-season projects prior to busy season (March 1)
Assists Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager and Associate Director with species protocol and rehabilitation care revisions and research as needed.
Admits new patients while adhering to animal care procedures to ensure safety of customers. Collects information from finders, accurately completes paper, and enters information into database
Solicits and processes over-the-counter donations and product donations from public. Documents transactions appropriately.
Assists in containment and release of wildlife patients in conjunction with Associate Director and Wildlife Biologist.
May perform other related duties as assigned.