Jobs

Animal Care Assistant

Reports to: Rehabilitation Director 

Status: Seasonal, Non-Exempt: Full-Time and Part-Time positions

Salary: $16.00 per hour


Summary

Under the direction of the Rehabilitation Director, the Animal Care Assistant coordinates the daily rehabilitation needs of patients in care, helps direct volunteers and interns, and helps maintain a clean and safe environment all while upholding Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network’s mission statement and policies.

Essential Duties

Works as a team member with staff, interns, and volunteers to respond to public questions and concerns regarding injured/orphaned wildlife, etc. Maintains the cleanliness and organization of all things at the Wildlife Center so that the center is kept spotlessly clean and sanitary to meet the standards for an animal hospital. This includes but is not limited to, sterilization of equipment, upkeep of the kitchen, laundry, bathroom, and removal of trash and recycling all on a daily basis.

  1. Keeping all sections of the grounds clean and organized

  2. Cleaning crates, net bottoms, pools, etc according to policies and protocols 

  3. Keeping up with washing dishes and doing laundry

  4. Sweeping and mopping floors in all rooms/buildings 


Provides the proper and humane husbandry and handling of all wildlife at the center

  1. Maintain high standards of cleanliness in enclosures at all times, demonstrating proper use of cleaning/disinfecting chemicals and equipment

  2. Ensure all species are housed appropriately and in accordance with the standards of care

  3. Demonstrate the ability to safely and properly handle and restrain a variety of species


Implements food preparation and feeding schedules for all wildlife at the center to provide adequate nutritional balance and weight maintenance

  1. Prepare meals for animals according to specified protocols including any specific dietary needs and adhere to the feeding schedule

  2. Keep all kitchen spaces clean and disinfected

  3. Properly store and label all foods, including formulas, live insects, etc.

Assists with first aid and after-care treatment to injured and sick wildlife at the center, which include, but are not limited to: properly bathing oil-soaked birds/mammals; immobilizing fractures; fluid therapy; administering medications; special diets; etc. This includes alerting the veterinary care team to medical cases. 

  1. Complete OWCN on-line training

  2. Responsible for assisting with intake examinations of new arrival animals including cleaning and dressing wounds, applying wing and stabilization wraps, WRMD data entry, setting up enclosure, starting feed sheet and any other necessary paperwork for said patient

  3. Alert veterinary staff of any new issues (i.e. changes in behavior, wounds, etc.)

*Seasonal Animal Care staff that are deemed qualified by the organization’s management might be able to learn how to perform an initial exam, collect blood samples, administer medications, and give subcutaneous and/or intravenous fluids. 

Environment:

While performing the duties of this job at SBWCN the animal care assistant will be exposed to different odors, noise, temperatures, various chemicals, and hazardous materials (such as petroleum-based products). Exposure to zoonotic disease is possible whenever working with wildlife. 

Animal Care Staff must have a positive attitude, be willing to adapt to new situations and changing caseloads, and possess an ongoing curiosity for learning new techniques for the care of animals. Animal Care Staff must display good judgment; application of common sense is critical for the safety and well-being of all workers, and the animals in the care of the organization.

Qualifications:

  • Ability to read, write, comprehend, and apply detailed animal care protocols

  • Effectively communicate information on both an individual basis and group situations and have excellent interpersonal skills for interactions with volunteers, other employees, governing agencies, outside members of the public, and other rehabilitation centers

  • Possess basic mathematical skills with the ability to work with different units of measurement

  • Basic computer knowledge

  • Capacity and interest to continuously work on improving animal care skills and developing emergency response capacities

  • Familiarity with California wildlife

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Past work in a wildlife rehabilitation clinic

  • Familiarity with the Incident Command System and Oiled Wildlife Care Network protocols

  • Rabies vaccinated or willing to become rabies vaccinated

  • Wildlife rehabilitation skills including rescue and transport, performing physical examinations, patient triage, nutrition plan development, patient housing, and basic medical skills (administering injections, basic wound/fracture management, gavage, fluid therapy, pain management and euthanasia)

Requirements

  • Employees are exposed to moving parts, zoonotic diseases, aggressive/feral animals, toxic/caustic chemicals, and radiography equipment

  • Ability to lift and move items up to 40lbs

  • Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time

  • Ability to stand, speak, and listen for long periods of time (hours)

  • Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and ability to use hands/arms to palpate, handle, feel, reach, and lift/move up to 40 pounds

  • Must be able to move about the center for hours, ascend/descend stairs, transport equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds, and position oneself into tight spaces, low areas, or on the ground to perform facility maintenance and animal care/husbandry

  • Must be able to handle and restrain various-sized avian and mammal species

  • Must have good near, distance, color, and peripheral vision, as well as good depth perception and ability to adjust focus

  • Must be able to catch/restrain a variety of different animals safely 

  • Energy, flexibility, and resilience with an ability to deal with difficult or unforeseen problems, remain calm, and not give up

  • Vaccination requirements: Covid 19 and Tetanus

  • Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies

  • Positive attitude and excitement for teamwork

Additional Provisions

In the event of an oil spill, this position may be asked to take on oil spill-related duties outside of general business. In CA oil spills, this position may be put on the OWCN payroll and paid in accordance with OWCN approved rates. This will be done only with prior agreement with the Executive Director and the OWCN and you will be informed of those rates at the time of the spill.

To Apply:

Please send your cover letter and resume to james@sbwcn.org.

Please indicate if you are applying for a full-time or a part-time position.

Registered Veterinary Technician

 

Summary:

Working under the supervision of the staff veterinarian, performs a variety of diagnostic testing, medical treatments, assists with anesthetic events, and administers vaccinations and medications. Will be required to assist in the maintenance of accurate medical and controlled drug records. Applicant will also be expected to participate in training of animal care staff, interns, and volunteers as indicated.

Essential Duties:

  • Assists the staff in the triage, treatment, and medical supervision of injured and sick wildlife presenting to SBWCN. This includes, but is not limited to: venipuncture, performing & interpreting a variety of bloodwork (manual CBCs, serum chemistry panels, lead testing, distemper & parvovirus testing, etc), obtaining high-quality diagnostic images with ability for general interpretation, care and bathing of oiled wildlife, intake examinations & stabilization, IV catheter placement, calculating & administering appropriate fluid therapy (IV, SQ, PO), drug prescription and administration, and vaccine administration.

  • This position involves working closely with the staff veterinarian during overlapping work days in addition to performing rechecks and providing assistance with medical cases on the veterinarian’s days off.

  • Participates in training of animal care staff, interns, and volunteers regarding veterinary care and related fields (infectious disease, biosecurity, stabilization, diagnostics, appropriate medication choices, etc). Performs or oversees training of others in the areas of anesthetic monitoring and surgical instrument cleaning, preparation, and sterilization.

  • Helps ensure that the wildlife center is kept clean and sanitary, as is appropriate for an animal hospital.

  • Maintains a pleasant, courteous and tactful position with the public at all times, no matter how difficult the situation.


Core Job Requirements:

  • Registered veterinary technician in the state of California, or the ability to obtain licensure within 1-3 months of hire

  • Ability to handle and administer controlled substances to patients under the direction of the staff veterinarian, with no previous history of documented license violation or substance abuse.

  • Rabies vaccinated with proof of recent (<6 months) titer.

  • Must be able to stand for long periods of time and lift a minimum of 40 lbs. Individuals with wildlife, zoological, or exotic pet experience preferred.

 

Additional Job Requirements:

  • Must be responsible, professional, and able to work effectively with minimal supervision once training has progressed.

  • Proven supervisory and delegation skills, including the ability to motivate and train volunteers and develop a positive team environment.

  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

  • Willing and able to work collaboratively and cooperatively with others to solve problems constructively and resolve conflicts.

  • Must be able to multitask and work well under fast-paced and sometimes stressful conditions.

 

Compensation

Full time employment with benefits including general health insurance + options for dental and vision, 401K contribution, and stipend for continuing education.

This is an hourly position offering $30-35/hour with pay rate dependent on experience

 

 Physical Requirements

Maintain the ability to satisfy all physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling up to 50 pounds; frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling; climbing ladders, reaching above shoulder level; fine finger dexterity.

 

Work Environment

  • Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.

  • Work may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

  • This is a position in an animal care facility. While performing some duties of this position the employee is frequently exposed to odors, noise, a variety of wild birds, animal waste products, and hazardous material (such as petroleum products during an oil spill). There is a risk of potential exposure to zoonotic diseases. Appropriate protective clothing and training will be provided when required.

To Apply:

Please send your cover letter and resume to james@sbwcn.org.

Please indicate if you are applying for a full-time or a part-time position.