Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician- Seasonal
Job Description
The Houston Humane Society Wildlife Center is committed to providing quality emergency care and rehabilitation for injured, ill, and orphaned wildlife brought to us by the public in the Houston area. Our organization has several seasonal openings for Technicians in our Wildlife Rehabilitation Department. Animals in this department currently include, but are not limited to - squirrels, opossums, doves, and songbirds. We will be expanding soon to include turtles, rabbits, ducks, aquatic birds, and raptors.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
● Animal husbandry including: feeding and weighing animals, cleaning enclosures, monitoring behavior and providing enrichment activities.
● Learn and implement patient care protocols by species.
● Medical work including: stabilizing patients, tube feeding, stethoscope use, administering oral and subcutaneous fluids, medical care, and record keeping.
● Safely handle and work with all animals admitted, excluding rabies vector species.
● Make sure animal feeding schedules are adhered to.
● General cleaning duties including dishes, laundry, bathrooms, trash, sweeping, and mopping.
● Assist in training and task assignments of volunteers and interns.
● Effectively communicate with HHS Wildlife Center staff members, interns, and volunteers.
● Maintain a safe and professional working environment.
● Ability to pivot at the last minute as wildlife rehabilitation has many unexpected events.
Required Qualifications:
● Must be 18 years or older.
● Must have your own reliable transportation.
● College degree or equivalent workplace experience.
● Knowledge of basic computer skills
● Ability to work independently and as a team.
● Responsible, trustworthy, and motivated multitasker.
● Respectful and calm demeanor with a positive attitude under stressful conditions.
● Ability to face urgent life or death situations almost daily including handling the emotional aspects of euthanasia.
● Must be able to perform basic mathematical computations including fractions and percentages.
● Work will often require: standing, bending, stooping, lifting (must be able to lift 30lbs), climbing ladders, and reading small text.
● Capable of rigorous indoor and outdoor work, as many of our patients are outside.
● Ability to work with volunteers in a friendly and professional manner, while ensuring they complete assigned tasks.
● Comfortable preparing and working with insects and carcasses.
● Comfortable working with and around needles.
Preferred Qualifications:
● Experience in this field is not required, but some animal-related experience is preferred. We are willing to train qualified and committed candidates.
● Have a degree in or be working towards a degree in biology, zoology, wildlife & fisheries, or related.
● Ability to administer subcutaneous injections.
● Knowledge of Wildlife Rehabilitation, MD software.
● Ability to build and/or repair caging.
Time Commitment:
● Position is seasonal and typically lasts from February to October.
● Must be available to work 30-40 hours per week.
● Must be available to work weekends and holidays.
● Must be available to work a flexible schedule to accommodate the influx of animals during certain times of the year. Shifts may start as early as 4:45 am and end as late as 12 AM.
● Must complete all training and attend any scheduled meetings.
● No number of hours per week is guaranteed.
Changing Office Locations:
The HHS Wildlife Center will be changing locations to a new and improved building in 2024. The new location will be 3100 W. Fuqua Street, Houston, TX 77045. All employees must be willing to work at the current location and switch to the new location after the move.
Job Type: Temporary
Pay: $16.00 per hour
Payment frequency:
- Paid biweekly
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Evening shift
- Monday to Friday
- Night shift
- Weekends as needed
Application Question(s):
- Are you able to work weekends and holidays?
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- Animal handling: 1 year (Required)
- Wildlife animal: 1 year (Preferred)
Shift availability:
- Day Shift (Required)
- Night Shift (Required)
Work Location: In person
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