Join Our Team
Cover photo by Rick Lewis
WildCare Staff
WildCare is run by a dedicated staff of less than 30 part- and full-time employees supported by very dedicated volunteer corps.
Vision
WildCare envisions a future in which humans are committed stewards of the natural world and transform conflict with wildlife into coexistence.
Core Values
- Dedication to Wildlife and the Environment
- Care, Compassion and Inclusion
- Pursuit of Learning
- Sustainability
Open Positions
WildCare Senior Director of Operations
Location: San Rafael, CA
Type: Full-time, Exempt
Reports to: Executive Director
Start Date: Feb 15, 2025
Salary: $105,000 - $110,000
About WildCare
For nearly 50 years, WildCare has provided a complete cycle of humane programs to help people in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond live well with wildlife. Our full-service, open-admission Wildlife Hospital delivers exceptional medical care to 3,500 orphaned and injured wild patients from 200 species each year, and we engage over 13,000 children and adults in high-quality, standards-based environmental education. We also provide highly effective environmental advocacy and outreach to our communities.
Position Overview
The Senior Director of Operations (SDO) will play a crucial role in overseeing WildCare's daily operations, ensuring the organization's continued growth and success. Reporting to the Executive Director, the SDO will manage key departments including the Wildlife Hospital, Education Programs, Development, Marketing and Communications, and Facilities.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Oversee and optimize daily operations of WildCare's programs and services
- Manage transition location with support of Facilities Manager and onsite program staff, ensuring seamless continuation of all services
- Develop and implement strategic initiatives aligned with WildCare's mission
- Support Executive Director, our construction management team and New Facility Committee in coordination of logistics relating to new facility
- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations
Program Management
- Partner with and guide directors of Wildlife Hospital, Education, Development, Marketing/Communications, and Facilities manager
- Improve systems for tracking and reporting program progress
- Identify opportunities for cross-program collaboration and improvement
Financial Oversight
- Collaborate with the Executive Director, Program Directors and CFO on budget development and management
- Ensure financial efficiency and sustainability across all departments
Staff Development
- Foster a culture of teamwork and continuous improvement
- Design and implement training programs and workshops for staff and volunteers
- Serve as a resource for Directors and team members, supporting their professional growth and organizational success
Compliance and Safety
- Implement and oversee OSHA policies and safety training programs
- Ensure regulatory compliance with all permitting agencies
- Regularly review and update organizational policies and procedures
IT and infrastructure support
- Partner with the team to oversee technology deployments that support operational efficiency.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of operations management and leadership experience
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
- Demonstrated experience in wildlife rehabilitation, environmental education, or related field
- Strong financial acumen and budget management skills
- Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities
- Proven track record of strategic planning and implementation
- Passion for wildlife conservation and environmental stewardship
This is a full-time, exempt position including 100% health insurance coverage options, supplemental dental and vision insurance, a 401k plan, generous vacation and sick time accrual, and 13 annual paid holidays.
WildCare does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, national origin, political affiliation or mental or physical handicap.
WildCare is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in the conservation field.
To Apply
Please send a cover letter and resume to hr@discoverwildcare.org. No phone calls please.
Job Title: Assistant Director of Animal Care
Department: Wildlife Hospital
Supervisor(s): Director of Animal Care
WildCare - Organizational Update
WildCare is currently in a very exciting phase of our 50+ year history!
After nearly half a century of repurposing and repairing our aging building, we are building a
brand new facility to further realize our mission as a world-class wildlife medicine teaching
hospital, wildlife advocacy organization, and environmental education center.
The scope of this $24M construction project includes the demolition of most of our current
structures, restoration of WildCare’s historic museum, and the construction of a new,
three-story wildlife hospital, state-of-the-art patient aviaries and cages, and completely
upgraded new habitats and courtyard to host our educational Wildlife Ambassador animals and educational programs.
In order for the existing facility to be demolished and the new facility to be built, we are currently operating out of a temporary transition location. This location is one exit north of WildCare proper, and hosts a fully functioning wildlife hospital, including all of the necessary aviaries and cages. Our projected grand re-opening of the newly renovated hospital is 2027.
To meet the demands of staffing at our transition location, and to meet our long-term strategic goals for when we are in our new facility, we have opened multiple new Wildlife Hospital staff positions!
Our immediate goal is to hire and train our new staff members this January/February,
to be ready for this spring’s baby season, with the longer-term goal of having already created a solid, cohesive team to usher us into the new hospital once construction is complete.
With this project and timeline in mind, our ideal candidate is someone who can commit to a minimum 5-year term, but ideally stay with us for 10 years or even longer!
WildCare invests heavily in the well-being of our staff, paying 100% of health benefits, and also provides competitive dental, vision and a 3% matching 401k retirement plan for full-time employees. Our generous vacation and sick time accrual, and 15 paid holidays per year is unmatched.
Position Summary
This is not a seated desk position. The Assistant Director of Animal Care (ADAC) reports directly to the Director of Animal Care (DAC) and is responsible for overseeing and orchestrating numerous aspects related to running the Wildlife Hospital, including, but not limited to, providing direct, hands-on animal care during and outside of regular hours, overall animal care and medical protocol development, implementation and enforcement.
The extensive managerial portion of this position requires duties such as staff support and management, as well as budgeting, scheduling and procurement.
The Assistant Director of Animal Care must be able to work collaboratively with equal sensitivity to the care of the animals and the needs and requirements of the volunteers and staff, and the public, to build and maintain a respectful and professional culture within rehabilitation functions and throughout all of WildCare.
Knowing that WildCare is operating out of our temporary location, then moving into a brand
new facility within the next 2-3 years, we are in search of a leader who has excellent operations, logistical and planning skills. The ideal candidate must also be a motivational team builder who can help plan for, and successfully guide and support our team through these transitions.
Schedule Requirements
- This position works Tuesdays through Saturdays as their regular schedule, with Sundays and Mondays off
- Work patient care shifts in both the Clinic and the Songbird Hospital
- Work 40 hours a week on-site, delivering hands-on patient care during “baby season” (April 1- Sept 1), with one dedicated office shift per week during the winter months when possible
- Work a variety of shifts; 7am-3pm, 9am-5pm, 1pm-9pm, depending on time of year
- Work some holidays
- Cover employee shifts in emergency situations
- Be on rotation with co-workers to provide after-hours (5pm-9pm) phone advice for
WildCare Foster Care Volunteers, Marin Humane Officers and WildCare Emergency Line Volunteers, and/or provide emergency stabilizing care for Marin Humane Officers with wildlife emergencies (either at home or meeting at WildCare). - Hospital schedules are created a minimum one month in advance during the off season, and the entire 5-month baby season schedule (April 1- Sept 1) is created in March, so everyone can plan holidays, vacations, etc. well in advance.
Animal Care Responsibilities
- Provide hands-on patient care for new and existing patients, while maintaining smoothly operating shifts so that all of the tasks required to ensure excellent patient care and husbandry are completed by the end of each day.
- Duties include but are not limited to orchestrating the flow of volunteers,
mentoring and training volunteers/interns, daily feeding, medicating and
cleaning of patients, providing necessary medical treatments, and ensuring that preparation for the following day’s operations are complete by the end of the day - In collaboration with the Director of Animal Care, Staff Veterinarian and Senior Medical Staff, develop and execute diagnoses and treatment plans for wildlife accepted under WildCare’s permits. Alter and amend treatment plans as needed throughout the course of care.
- Help plan and organize selection of release sites and coordination of patient releases
- Foster Care Team responsibility: Manage Raptor Reunite Team, including recruitment, training, organizing, managing nestling/fledgling raptor intakes and coordinating re-nesting and nest monitoring.
- Euthanize animals when necessary, according to WildCare policy and AVMA, CDFW and USFWS standards
Management Responsibilities
- Supervise and support the Clinic and Songbird Hospital Managers. Oversee their
supervision of the Wildlife Technicians and Assistants - Supervise and support the Volunteer Manager to ensure proper management of the
Hospital Volunteer Programs (adult and student) - In partnership with the DAC, create and maintain the annual Hospital staffing schedules, incorporating approved time off requests
- In partnership with the DAC, create and monitor annual Hospital staffing budget
- In partnership with the DAC, assist with annual hiring and training of seasonal Hospital staff
- Maintain, order Hospital patient food supplies (Costco, local grocery, mice, etc.) ensuring that the Clinic and Songbird Hospital have the supplies needed for current patient load
- Maintain and create relationships with other wildlife hospitals and relevant
organizations in order to collaborate on patient care as well as best care practices - Provide analytics, data, etc. as requested for grants, fundraising efforts, budgets, annual reports
- Provide patient updates, stories and photos as appropriate, as requested by
Communications Director - Participate in donor events as requested by Development department
- Attend annual Hospital Volunteer orientation and teach training classes
- Attend the required minimum of 12 hours of CA Fish and Wildlife approved and annual continued education courses. Help identify continuing education opportunities and support Hospital staff in meeting their annual requirements as well
- Actively identify ways to help grow and improve WildCare’s patient care, protocols and procedures, and volunteer and staff experience
Qualifications and Experience
- A minimum of 8 years in the wildlife rehabilitation field providing hands-on medical care of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and aves, with at least 4 years in a supervisory position.
- Must have, or be able to obtain within 60 days of hire, a valid California driver’s license and auto insurance.
- Demonstrated experience managing projects with multiple logistical considerations
(such as a facility move) - Demonstrated experience creating and implementing protocols
- Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator, Registered Veterinary Technician, degree in biology,
zoology, or related field preferred but not required. - Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Due to nature of responsibilities with controlled substances, must pass state and federal background check and have no pertinent criminal history
- Must have up-to-date rabies prophylactic vaccine/titer
- Experience with, and a passion for, training, mentoring, teaching and creating basic and advanced skills classes
- Technologically literate with basic programs including Google and Microsoft Suites.
Experience with Wildlife Rehabilitation Medical Database preferred. - Must be able to lift/move 50 pounds, endure long workdays, in a physically and
emotionally demanding setting while maintaining focus, accuracy and physical activities required by the job.
Wildlife Rehabilitation-specific Skill Requirements
- Must have minimum 8 years’ experience, advanced skill level in the following areas:
- Handling and restraint skills of the majority of the 200 species of California
wildlife species (or equivalent) that WildCare treats annually
Wildlife Hospital Position Opening: Assistant Director of Animal Care - Monitoring anesthesia for avian, reptilian, and mammal wildlife patients
- Diagnostic skills including running and interpreting fecals, cytology, bloodwork, radiographs
- Performing different modalities of euthanasia
- Calculating drug dosages, fluid replacement requirements, kCal needs, and
compound medications - Administering medications PO, IV, IC, IM, and SQ
- Splinting fractures and wound care
- Interpreting advanced diagnostics and create appropriate medical and husbandry treatment plans
- Knowledge of veterinary drugs (controlled and not), as well as most up to date pain management techniques and medications
- Handling and restraint skills of the majority of the 200 species of California
Required Skills and Characteristics
- Positive and collaborative team player
- Great organizational skills, ability to see the big picture, plan ahead and multitask
- Ability to prioritize multiple competing priorities
- Excels at working under pressure in emergency situations
- Attention to detail
- The ability to work alone, but the judgment to know to ask for assistance when
necessary - Strong conflict resolution skills
- The ideal candidate would reside in, or relocate to, Marin County, CA
Compensation
This position works Tuesdays through Saturdays as their regular schedule, with Sundays
and Mondays off. 40 hours a week on-site, delivering hands-on patient care during “baby
season” (April 1- Sept 1), with one dedicated office shift per week during the winter
months when possible
- Salaried position, $71,000-$73,000 based on experience, plus the following benefits
- This is a full-time, exempt position including 100% health insurance coverage options, supplemental dental and vision insurance, a 3% matching 401k plan, generous vacation and sick time accrual, and 15 annual paid holidays
- There is a 6-month probationary period
- The position is open as of January 1, 2025, with review of applicants and interviews to begin immediately
WildCare does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, national origin, political affiliation or mental or physical handicap.
To Apply
Email resume and cover letter, including two professional reference contacts to:
Melanie Piazza
Director of Animal Care
melanie@discoverwildcare.org Subject Line: Assistant Director of Animal Care Application
Job Title: Clinic Hospital Manager
Department: Wildlife Hospital
Supervisor(s): Assistant Director of Animal Care
WildCare - Organizational Update
WildCare is currently in a very exciting phase of our 50+ year history!
After nearly half a century of repurposing and repairing our aging building, we are building a
brand new facility to further realize our mission as a world-class wildlife medicine teaching
hospital, wildlife advocacy organization, and environmental education center.
The scope of this $24M construction project includes the demolition of most of our current
structures, restoration of WildCare’s historic museum, and the construction of a new,
three-story wildlife hospital, state-of-the-art patient aviaries and cages, and completely
upgraded new habitats and courtyard to host our educational Wildlife Ambassador animals and educational programs.
In order for the existing facility to be demolished and the new facility to be built, we are currently operating out of a temporary transition location. This location is one exit north of WildCare proper, and hosts a fully functioning wildlife hospital, including all of the necessary aviaries and cages. Our projected grand re-opening of the newly renovated hospital is 2027.
To meet the demands of staffing at our transition location, and to meet our long-term strategic goals for when we are in our new facility, we have opened multiple new Wildlife Hospital staff positions!
Our immediate goal is to hire and train our new staff members this January/February,
to be ready for this spring’s baby season, with the longer-term goal of having already created a solid, cohesive team to usher us into the new hospital once construction is complete.
With this project and timeline in mind, our ideal candidate is someone who can commit to a minimum 5-year term, but ideally stay with us for 10 years or even longer!
WildCare invests heavily in the well-being of our staff, paying 100% of health benefits, and also provides competitive dental, vision and a 3% matching 401k retirement plan for full-time employees. Our generous vacation and sick time accrual, and 15 paid holidays per year is unmatched.
Clinic Hospital Manager Position Summary
WildCare’s Wildlife Hospital is divided into two sections, the Songbird Hospital, where we treat only songbird patients (including pigeons and baby corvids), and the Clinic, which treats all the rest of our avian patients (raptors, water and shorebirds, adult corvids), as well as mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
The Clinic Hospital Manager (CHM) reports directly to the Assistant Director of Animal Care (ADAC) and co-manages the hospital alongside the Songbird Hospital Manager. The Clinic Hospital Manager’s main responsibility is the clinic, whereas the Songbird Hospital Manager’s main responsibility is the birdroom.
This is not a seated desk position.
The Clinic Hospital Manager is responsible for overseeing and orchestrating numerous aspects related to running the Clinic side of the Wildlife Hospital, including, but not limited to providing direct, hands-on animal care during and outside of regular hours, as well as managing all aspects of daily shifts such as animal care,both medical and husbandry and personnel management such as Wildlife Technician and Assistant, volunteer, and/or intern training and guidance to ensure that all tasks are completed well and in a timely manner.
The Clinic Hospital Manager must be able to work collaboratively with equal sensitivity to the care of the animals and the needs and requirements of the volunteers and staff, and the public, in order to build and maintain a respectful and professional culture within rehabilitation functions and throughout all of WildCare.
Knowing that WildCare is operating out of our temporary location, then moving into a brand-new facility within the next 2-3 years, we are in search of a manager who not only has the requisite wildlife skills, but also excellent organizational, planning, team building and leadership skills.
Schedule Requirements
- This position works Tuesday through Saturdays as their regular schedule, with Sundays and Mondays off
- During baby season (April 1- September 1), work 40 hours a week on-site, delivering hands-on patient care in the Clinic
- During off season, will work 32-40 hours a week delivering hands-on patient care, with the requirement that at least one shift being in the Songbird Hospital, and the possibility of one shift per week office time, staffing dependent
- The CHM is required to be able to successfully work and manage all aspects of Songbird Hospital shifts by the end of their first year. The Songbird Hospital Manager is expected to do the same in the clinic.
- Work a variety of shifts; 7am-3pm, 9am-5pm, 8a-4p, 10a-6pm, 1pm-9pm, depending on time of year
- Work some holidays
- Cover employee shifts in emergency situations
- Be on rotation with co-workers to provide after-hours (5pm-9pm) phone advice for WildCare Foster Care Volunteers, Marin Humane Officers and WildCare Emergency Line Volunteers, and/or provide emergency stabilizing care for Marin Humane Officers with wildlife emergencies (either at home or meeting at WildCare).
- Hospital schedules are created a minimum one month in advance during the off season, and the entire 5-month baby season schedule (April 1- Sept 1) is created in March, so everyone has the ability to plan holidays, vacations, etc. well in advance.
Animal Care Responsibilities
- Provide hands-on patient care for new and existing patients, while maintaining smoothly operating shifts so that all of the tasks required to ensure excellent patient care and husbandry are completed by the end of each day.
- Duties include but are not limited to: orchestrating the flow of volunteers, mentoring and training volunteers/interns, daily feeding, medicating and cleaning of patients, providing necessary medical treatments, and ensuring that preparation for the following day’s operations are complete by the end of the day
- In collaboration with the Director of Animal Care, Staff Veterinarian and Senior Medical Staff, develop and execute diagnoses and treatment plans for wildlife accepted under WildCare’s permits. Alter and amend treatment plans as needed throughout the course of care.
- Help plan and organize selection of release sites and coordination of patient releases
- Foster Care Team responsibility: Squirrel Team:
- Manage intake, stabilization and placement of all baby squirrels and chipmunks throughout their time in foster care until release
- Manage Squirrel Foster Care Team Volunteers including recruitment, training, compliance
- Manage squirrel patient spreadsheet, ensuring tracking of and delivery of proper feeding and housing progression, routine deworming and medical care
- Arrange and manage squirrel reunite, training Assistant Is and volunteers
- Manage squirrel release plans, volunteers, locations, scout locations
- Manage after-hours intake and care of baby squirrels
- Euthanize animals when necessary according to WildCare policy and AVMA, CDFW and USFWS standards
Management Responsibilities
- Co-supervise (with Songbird Hospital Manager) and support the Wildlife Technicians and Assistants
- Training and mentoring
- Quarterly one-on-one check-ins
- Annual reviews
- Addressing any issues that arise in partnership with the ADAC
- Co-Supervise (with Songbird Hospital manager and Volunteer Manager) the Youth Volunteer Program, including orientation and day to day monitoring of participants to facilitate growth
- Maintain the Wildlife Rehabilitation Medical Database, including regular review of patient records, providing data as requested by Development and Communications departments, and creating required state and federal annual reports
- Manage food supply needs for clinic patients on days that ADAC is not in
- Maintain and create relationships with other wildlife hospitals and relevant organizations in order to collaborate on patient care as well as best care practices
- Provide patient updates, stories and photos as appropriate, as requested by Communications Director
- Participate in donor events as requested by Development department
- Attend annual Hospital Volunteer orientation and teach training classes
- Attend the required minimum of 12 hours of CA Fish and Wildlife approved and annual continued education courses. Help identify continuing education opportunities and support Hospital staff in meeting their annual requirements as well
- Actively identify ways to help grow and improve WildCare’s patient care, protocols and procedures, and volunteer and staff experience
Qualifications and Experience
- Minimum of 5 years in the wildlife rehabilitation field providing hands-on medical care of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and aves, with at least 2 years in a supervisory position
- Must have, or be able to obtain within 60 days of hire, a valid California driver’s license and auto insurance
- Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator, Registered Veterinary Technician, degree in biology, zoology, or related field preferred but not required
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Due to nature of responsibilities with controlled substances, must pass state and federal background check and have no pertinent criminal history
- Must have up-to-date rabies prophylactic vaccine/titer
- Experience with, and a passion for, training, mentoring, teaching and creating basic skills classes
- Technologically literate with basic programs including Google and Microsoft Suites. Experience with Wildlife Rehabilitation Medical Database preferred.
- Must be able to lift/move 50 pounds, endure long workdays, in a physically and emotionally demanding setting while maintaining focus, accuracy and physical activities required by the job.
Wildlife Rehabilitation-specific Skill Requirements
- Must have minimum 5 years experience, with competent skill level in the following areas:
- Handling and restraint skills of the majority of the 200 species of California wildlife species (or equivalent) that WildCare treats annually
- Diagnostic skills including running and interpreting fecals, cytology, bloodwork, radiographs
- Performing different modalities of euthanasia
- Calculating drug dosages, fluid replacement requirements, kCal needs, and compound medications
- Administering medications PO, IV, IC, IM, and SQ
- Splinting fractures and wound care
- Interpreting basic diagnostics and create appropriate medical and husbandry treatment plans
- Knowledge of veterinary drugs (controlled and not), as well as most up to date pain management techniques and medications
- Preferred but not required, experience monitoring anesthesia for avian, reptilian, and mammal wildlife patients
Required Skills and Characteristics
- Positive and collaborative team player
- Great organizational skills, ability to see the big picture, plan ahead and multitask
- Ability to prioritize multiple competing priorities
- Excels at working under pressure in emergency situations
- Attention to detail
- The ability to work alone, but the judgment to know to ask for assistance when necessary
- Strong conflict resolution skills
- The ideal candidate would reside in, or relocate to, Marin County, CA
Compensation
- This position works Sundays through Thursdays as their regular schedule, with Fridays and Saturdays off. 40 hours a week on-site, delivering hands-on patient care during “baby season” (April 1- Sept 1), with one dedicated office shift per week during the winter months when possible
- Salaried position, $68,460/yr, plus the following benefits:
- This is a full-time, exempt position including 100% health insurance coverage options, supplemental dental and vision insurance, a 3% matching 401k plan, generous vacation and sick time accrual, and 15 annual paid holidays
- There is a 6-month probationary period
- The position is open as of January 1, 2025 with review of applicants and interviews to begin immediately
WildCare does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, national origin, political affiliation or mental or physical handicap.
To Apply
Email resume and cover letter, including two professional reference contacts to:
Melanie Piazza
Director of Animal Care
melanie@discoverwildcare.org Subject Line: Assistant Director of Animal Care Application
Job Title: Wildlife Technician
Department: Wildlife Hospital
Supervisor(s): Clinic Hospital Manager and Songbird Hospital Manager
WildCare - Organizational Update
WildCare is currently in a very exciting phase of our 50+ year history!
After nearly half a century of repurposing and repairing our aging building, we are building a
brand new facility to further realize our mission as a world-class wildlife medicine teaching
hospital, wildlife advocacy organization, and environmental education center.
The scope of this $24M construction project includes the demolition of most of our current
structures, restoration of WildCare’s historic museum, and the construction of a new,
three-story wildlife hospital, state-of-the-art patient aviaries and cages, and completely
upgraded new habitats and courtyard to host our educational Wildlife Ambassador animals and educational programs.
In order for the existing facility to be demolished and the new facility to be built, we are currently operating out of a temporary transition location. This location is one exit north of WildCare proper, and hosts a fully functioning wildlife hospital, including all of the necessary aviaries and cages. Our projected grand re-opening of the newly renovated hospital is 2027.
To meet the demands of staffing at our transition location, and to meet our long-term strategic goals for when we are in our new facility, we have opened multiple new Wildlife Hospital staff positions!
Our immediate goal is to hire and train our new staff members this January/February,
to be ready for this spring’s baby season, with the longer-term goal of having already created a solid, cohesive team to usher us into the new hospital once construction is complete.
With this project and timeline in mind, our ideal candidate is someone who can commit to a minimum 5-year term, but ideally stay with us for 10 years or even longer!
WildCare invests heavily in the well-being of our staff, paying 100% of health benefits, and also provides competitive dental, vision and a 3% matching 401k retirement plan for full-time employees. Our generous vacation and sick time accrual, and 15 paid holidays per year is unmatched.
Wildlife Technician Position Summary
The Wildlife Technician (WT) reports to the Clinic Hospital Manager (CHM) and Songbird Hospital Manager (SHM) with animal treatment and volunteer management in both the songbird and clinic branches of the hospital.
WildCare’s Wildlife Hospital is divided into two sections, the Songbird Hospital, where we treat only songbird patients (including pigeons and baby corvids), and the Clinic, which treats all the rest of our avian patients (raptors, water and shorebirds, adult corvids), as well as mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
The primary goal is to ensure the highest quality and consistency of patient care through direct, hands-on care, management techniques, supervision and training of volunteers and interns in the Clinic and Songbird Hospital and enforcement of existing protocols.
The WT must be able to work collaboratively with equal sensitivity to the care of the animals and the needs and requirements of the volunteers and staff in order to build and maintain a respectful and professional culture within rehabilitation functions and throughout WildCare.
Animal Care Responsibilities
- It is understood that all of the responsibilities listed here are performed with the supervision of the staff Veterinarian, Director of Animal Care, Assistant Director of Animal Care, and Managers.
- Maintain smoothly operating shifts so that all of the tasks required to ensure excellent patient care and husbandry are completed by the end of each day for both Songbird Hospital and Clinic animals. Duties include but are not limited to: orchestrating the flow of volunteers, daily feeding, medicating and cleaning of all patients, intake and physical exams of patients, administering necessary medical treatments, maintaining adequate supplies and ensuring that preparation for the following day’s operations are complete by the end of the day.
- Must be able to calculate and administer PO, SQ, IM, and IV medications.
- Administer and monitor patients under anesthesia
- Calculate and administer calorie and fluid therapy
- Perform and have a solid understanding of interpreting radiographs
- Ability to splint and wrap various types of fractures
- Capture, handling and restraint of most avian, mammal, and reptile species
- Basic understanding of most veterinary drugs (controlled and not) and their uses
- In collaboration with senior medical staff, develop and execute diagnoses and treatment plans for wildlife accepted under WildCare’s permits Wildlife Hospital Position Opening: Wildlife Technician
- With senior staff approval, euthanize animals when necessary according to WildCare policy and AVMA standards
- Assist with selection of release sites and coordination of patient releases
- Assist with foster care patients
- Must be cross-trained in and comfortable working in both Clinic and Songbird Hospital
- Must attend a minimum of 12 hours annual continuing education training in the field of wildlife rehabilitation or related medical/animal care field and present learned information to staff
- Help maintain positive relationships with other agencies and wildlife hospitals
Managerial Responsibilities
- Help ensure the highest quality and consistency of patient care by enforcing the implementation of WildCare patient care protocols by all medical staff members and volunteers
- Actively train and mentor Hospital Interns and Volunteers
- Assist in teaching training classes for hospital interns and volunteers
- Attend staff meetings and volunteer huddles
- Build and maintain a collaborative, respectful and professional culture within rehabilitation functions, and help build and maintain the same culture across WildCare
Qualifications
- The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 3 years (“baby seasons”) providing hands-on husbandry for wild mammal and avian species in a wildlife hospital setting as well as having completed 3-6 months of a hospital internship program or similar work experience
- Must be able to competently syringe feed all ages of nestling songbirds
- Must be proficient at tube feeding various bird species
- Due to nature of responsibilities with controlled substances, must pass state and federal background check and have no pertinent criminal history
- Must have or be able/willing to get rabies prophylactic vaccine
- Ability to work flexible, constantly changing days and hours including nights, weekends and holidays from April 1- September 1
- Computer literate, comfortable with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Outlook) and other basic programs
- Must be able to lift/move 50 pounds, endure long workdays in a physically and emotionally demanding setting while maintaining focus, accuracy and physical activities required by the job.
Desired Skills and Characteristics
- An outgoing, positive personality is a must
- Excellent team building and encouragement skills
- Great organizational skills
- Ability to prioritize competing demands, multitask, and work well under pressure
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
- Experience managing, teaching or mentoring, either in a group or individual context
- Ability and willingness to follow directions and ask for clarification or assistance when needed
Compensation
- Pay for this position ranges from $19-$21/hr., depending on experience
- Shifts/Hours:
- April 1 - Sept. 1 “Baby Season:” Eight hour shifts working both Fridays & Sundays, 16 hours a week guaranteed, with additional shifts available up to 40 hrs per week covering staff vacation/holidays.
- 2- March 31 “Winter Season:” guaranteed minimum one, 8 hours shift per week, with opportunity for additional shifts, up to 40 hours a week, covering vacations/holidays
- No benefits other than sick pay earned
- There is a 30 day probationary period
- The position is open to begin training as of February 1, 2025, with the official start of position April 1, 2025. Review of applicants and interviews to begin immediately.
WildCare does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, national origin, political affiliation or mental or physical handicap.
To Apply
Email resume and cover letter, including two professional reference contacts to:
Melanie Piazza
Director of Animal Care
melanie@discoverwildcare.org Subject Line: Assistant Director of Animal Care Application