
Jobs At SBWCN
Work That Makes a Wild Difference
Whether you're treating an injured pelican, coordinating a rescue, or managing behind-the-scenes logistics, every role contributes to the survival of wild animals who have no one else to turn to.
If you're passionate about wildlife, dedicated to conservation, and thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, we want to hear from you.
Available Positions
Training and Recruitment Coordinator
Compensation: $22-28/hr commensurate with experience
Location: Onsite at the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network office in Goleta, CA
Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network (SBWCN) is the only general wildlife rehabilitation facility in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. From hummingbirds to pelicans to raccoons, SBWCN works 7 days a week to rescue and rehabilitate wild animals that have been orphaned, injured, or oiled and then release them back into the wild. Volunteers are critical to the rescue and rehabilitation of thousands of wild animals every year and between 150-200 people regularly volunteer to answer phones, go on rescue missions, wash dishes and laundry, prepare diets, and care for animals. SBWCN relies on the generosity of volunteers to keep up with the sheer amount of work required to care for hundreds of animals at a time. SBWCN is full of compassionate people who work hard for a great cause.
The Training and Recruitment Coordinator, is an hourly, non-exempt position that works under the leadership of the Director of Operations and the Director of Rehabilitation. They are responsible for recruiting and training volunteers in general volunteer tasks. This position may be required to work on some evenings and weekends as needed.
This person will provide floating support to full-time and part-time staff (regular and seasonal) in Seabird, Songbird, and Mammal departments.
Job Duties and Responsibilities (Other duties may be assigned as appropriate.)
Recruiting
- Develops, promotes, and maintains a wide range of volunteer opportunities within the organization
- Recruits, interviews, and places applicants for volunteer work
- Develops and maintains relationships with other volunteer organizations within the area
- Hosts and supports volunteer recruiting at community events to attract qualified candidates. Works with SBWCN Communications Manager and professional associations to publicize opportunities for volunteers
Job Knowledge
- Surveys staff periodically to assess needs for volunteer assistance
- Knowledge of all tasks related to basic animal husbandry and tasks completed by volunteers to assist and perform animal husbandry tasks
- Maintains Volunteer Service Descriptions for each volunteer assignment
- Ensures volunteers are staffed to support the various areas of animal care operations.
Training
- Coordinator is responsible for volunteer recruitment, training, and evaluation
- Physically trains volunteers and interns to learn basic tasks at Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network
- Arranges and conducts volunteer orientation and training
- Develops and manages volunteer policies, procedures, and standards of volunteer service Assess visitor feedback received through comment forms
- Maintains accurate records and assists in development of timely statistical and activity reports on volunteer participation
- Takes initiative to promote SBWCN volunteer opportunities and align volunteers with needs at the Wildlife Care Center.
- Other duties as assigned.
Scheduling and Communications
- Manage online volunteer sign-up sheets and create/update training materials as needed
- Schedules all volunteer activities for animal care.
- Problem solves gaps in the volunteer schedule
- Provides ongoing support and guidance for volunteers
- Acts as a single point of contact for volunteer communications
- Confers with volunteers and Rehabilitation Director/Director of Operations to promote cooperation and interest
- Serve as a liaison between volunteers and animal care staff members
- Facilitates distribution of information relevant to volunteers; Creates and distributes various communications and publications via the volunteer organizing platform (Get Connected) and e-newsletter (MailChimp)
- Conducts tours as needed or requested for prospective volunteers and interns
- Participates in team meetings as needed
- Identifies community outreach opportunities such as fairs, festivals, local markets and organizations
- Maintains schedule of volunteer opportunities
- Posts weekly Volunteer Schedules and manages any shift changes and notifications to staff on volunteer assignments.
- Works proactively with staff to provide accurate information and assistance to the volunteer
- Trains volunteers to use office and specialized equipment when appropriate, coordinated with any other relevant staff.
- Informs Communications Director when information needs to be added to the donor management system.
- Builds relationships with groups through service and follow up communication that results in return group visits
- Conducts post-visit calls to track successes and identify problems so that relationships are maintained and system improvements are made.
- Help to Coordinate volunteer appreciation events and opportunities, and generally plan for volunteer perks and appreciation.
- Other duties as assigned.
General Qualifications
Must be willing to undergo onsite training to work with the various species generally encountered at the Wildlife Center.
Prior animal handling and care experience is preferred. Experience working with wildlife is ideal.
Must be responsible, professional and able to work effectively with minimal supervision once training has progressed.
Stay curious and excited about new protocols and treatments for wildlife.
Proven supervisory skills, including the ability to motivate 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 demonstrate self-motivation and good interpersonal communication skills.
Must be able to multitask, and work well under fast-paced and sometimes stressful conditions.
Willingness and ability to adjust tasks in accordance with changing priorities and deadlines.
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 training demonstrations and assist animal care staff as needed.
Remain current in general office technology
Stays curious about changing animal care needs, new ways to train volunteers, and methods for communicating information.
Work Environment
This is a position in an animal care facility and wildlife hospital. While performing the duties of this position the employee will be exposed to odors, noise, and in the vicinity of a variety of wild birds, mammals, and reptiles and hazardous material (such as petroleum products during an oil spill). Employees may also be exposed to moving parts, radiography equipment, and there is a risk of potential exposure to zoonotic diseases.
How to Apply
Please send cover letter, resume, and three references to contact@sbwcn.org please put "Training and Recruitment Coordinator" in the subject line of your email.
Administrative Manager
Compensation: $26 - $34.00 per hour commensurate with experience
Job Type: Non-exempt, full-time
Location: SBWCN Wildlife Care Facility – Goleta, CA
Reports to: Executive Director
Work authorization: United States (Required)
Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network (SBWCN) is a leading nonprofit in Santa Barbara County dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of orphaned, injured, sick, and oiled wildlife. We are looking for an outgoing, positive, and detail-oriented person who wants to join a team of professionals responsible for maintaining and enhancing relationships with employees, donors, community members, and volunteers along with securing financial resources in support of the mission of the organization.
Essential Duties
The administrative assistant is a full and vital member of the administrative team and therefore works closely with the Executive Director, Partnership Director, Accounting professionals, Treasurer, and all other members of the leadership team.
General
- Maintain electronic and physical filing systems.
- Ordering of supplies as needed
- Serve as point of contact for general inquiries
- Answering the SBWCN HELPline as needed
- Receiving, opening, sorting, and distributing mail
- Organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple projects with the ability to meet deadlines
- Draft, edit, and distribute correspondence, reports, and other documents, ensuring the accuracy of finished work
- Maintain complete and accurate records (minutes, correspondence, and reports) and ensure all Development information is appropriately organized and filed
- Communicate clearly and effectively
- Ensure timely progress on projects for the Executive Director, Partnership Director, Accounting, and Treasurer with reminders, deadlines and other important dates
- Anticipate administrative needs and proactively resolve issues.
- Other duties as assigned
Accounting and Payroll
- Manage deposits and accounts payable weekly
- Work with Treasurer to Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial reporting
- Oversee general ledger maintenance, chart of accounts administration, and preparation of financial statements.
- Perform account analyses, budget-to-actual reporting, and financial variance analyses on a monthly and quarterly basis for development and corporate divisions.
- Ensure compliance with GAAP, organizational policies, and regulatory funding guidelines.
- Oversee accounting for grants and restricted funds, including compliance and reporting requirements
- Maintain financial records and all grant funding agreement documentation.
- Coordinate and support annual audits, tax preparation, Form 1099 reporting, and compliance reviews.
- Assist with cash management, forecasting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and treasury functions as needed.
- Maintain financial systems, internal controls, and accounting policies, while supporting process improvements and operational efficiencies.
- Reviewing monthly internal financial reports
- Recordkeeping for grants use of restricted funds and tracking restricted and unrestricted funds in general
- Maintaining fixed asset register and depreciation schedule
- Assist in Management of donor database (Bloomerang) and maintain up-to-date donor records
- Perform monthly reconciliations between donor CRM (Bloomerang) and Quickbooks
- Process donor solicitations - daily individual donor gifts and acknowledgements (receipts and thank you letters)
- Assisting with year-end audit
- Process requests for reimbursement, payment, and journal entries
- Lead Payroll Processing
- Manage semi-monthly payroll, including timesheet review, discrepancy resolution, and coordination with staff and supervisors.
- Stay current with payroll best practices by attending relevant trainings and workshops
- Other duties as assigned
Environment:
While performing the duties of this job at SBWCN the employee 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 near and with wildlife.
Must have a positive attitude, be willing to adapt to new situations and changing case loads, and possess an ongoing curiosity for learning new skills. Must display good judgment, discretion, and application of common sense.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
Skills and Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of one (1) year of experience supporting an executive; or one (1) year working in development or philanthropy for a non-profit organization; or three (3) years working in an administrative role, preferably in an office environment supporting non profit organizations
Ability to read, write, comprehend, and apply detailed protocols.
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Possesses strong administrative, organizational, and office management skills
Possesses excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to draft, edit, and proofread documents
Ability to relate positively to donors, staff, volunteers, and the public with grace, professionalism, and efficiency
Ability to coordinate projects and demonstrate initiative, proactively solving or escalating problems using good judgment and without close supervision
Ability to perform tasks accurately and in a timely manner with close attention to detail.
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.
Degree in accounting or related field; commensurate experience will be considered. Non-profit accounting experience preferred
Two years working experience with Quickbooks Online and Excel
Knowledge of accounting principles: GAAP, nonprofit accounting, compliance requirements and best practices
Strong written and verbal communication skills, detail-oriented
Competent interpersonal, analytical, problem solving, troubleshooting and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects and effectively manage time
Ability to be flexible to meet the needs of various departments
Environmental Conditions:
ALL SBWCN Employees can be exposed to moving parts, zoonotic diseases, aggressive/feral animals, toxic/caustic chemicals, and radiography equipment.
Ability to lift and move items up to 25lbs.
Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time.
Must be able to crouch, crawl, climb, stoop, bend, twist, and kneel.
To apply: Please send 1) cover letter, 2) resume, and 3) three references to Ariana Katovich (Executive Director) at ariana@sbwcn.org.
Development Associate
- Reports to: Director of Partnerships
- Salary: $24-27/hr
- Job Type: non-Exempt Full-time, 40 hours/week
- Location: In the office at 1460 N. Fairview Ave, Goleta CA.
- Benefits: Health insurance ($350 monthly contribution towards group health plan), paid time off
- Work authorization: United States (Required)
Position Summary
This position is to help raise the generosity needed to care for over 4,000 wild animals every year! Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network is seeking a positive and organized team member to join our team as Membership and Development Associate. This job is job is onsite and not remote or hybrid. Successful candidates will have excellent communication skills, strong writing ability, and significant public relations experience. The Development Associate will assist in the management of the organization’s membership program, donor CRM, fundraising calendar, donor communications, event planning, and organization reporting. They will implement a targeted, strategic fundraising plan to include cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual donors to meet revenue goals.
The person who fills this position needs to be highly organized, efficient in Google/Microsoft/Adobe Suites, tech savvy, and adaptable to a fast paced work environment. A positive attitude is a must. We are looking for a candidate that embraces data management, gratitude for supporters, event coordination , creative campaigns, and can contribute to a big picture vision of saving wildlife.
Essential Duties:
Membership
- Manage Gratitude and Stewardship programs for SBWCN’s members
- Manage member events
Donor Management
- Demonstrated experience as an active listener, using diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships and motivate donors
- Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion
- Prioritizes competing needs, handles matters expeditiously and proactively, and follows through on projects to successful completion while managing work across multiple deadlines
- Participate in weekly Management / Fundraising team meetings
- Assist in updating donor database and maintain up-to-date donor records: adding and updating records, adding new gifts, managing pledges, managing campaigns
- Assist in Processing donor solicitations - daily individual donor gifts and acknowledgements (receipts, thank you letters, hand-written notes, tribute cards, etc.)
- Assist in pulling reports and researching donor prospects
- Source and recruit donors through various techniques (newsletters, databases, forums, e-mail, social media, etc.)
- Coordinate staff and donor appreciation efforts
- Stay up to date with Wildlife Center happenings, current needs, and activities
- Provide Event Support for fundraising and educational events
Communications & Website
- Provide support to communications team with social media, e-newsletters, and website development
- Assist with targeted donor email campaigns, including Annual Giving Campaign, Giving Tuesday, online matches, and program-specific campaigns.
- Fulfill online gift shop orders, assist with SBWCN merchandise inventory, and reorder items when necessary
- Provide ideas and content for bi-weekly e-newsletters and quarterly mailed newsletters
Fundraising and Events
- Provide support to organization’s event coordination, including the annual benefit fundraiser and open house events
- Assist in events related to community outreach, donor recruitment, and volunteer recruitment
- Provide support and assistance in fundraising appeals, newsletters, and annual reports
- Coordinate volunteers for development needs
- Assist in analytics in the SBWCN donor database and create fundraising reports
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- Experience in development management for a non-profit
- Understanding of and dedication to fulfilling SBWCN’s mission and ethics
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Excellent organization, time management, and team management skills
- Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines while successfully managing multiple priorities
- Bilingual (English and Spanish) desired
- Possess a strong personal work ethic, positive attitude, superior public relations skills, and have a high level of integrity
- Must be able to work from the Santa Barbara area with frequent travel onsite to the SBWCN Center located at 1460 North Fairview Ave in Goleta.
- Excellent understanding of:
- Managing donor CRM
- Microsoft Office and Google Suite programs
- Graphic Design Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign)
- Nonprofit event and outreach coordination
- Photography and video editing
- Video editing/photography
- All major social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube)
Software knowledge:
- Donor management - EveryAction or similar
- Email marketing - Mailchimp or similar
- Website development - SquareSpace or similar
- Social media management - Trello, Sprout Social, Google Analytics, social media platforms
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
- Must have current driver's license and insurable driving record.
Work Environment:
- Must be willing to work evenings, holidays, or weekends as requested for special events. Must be able to work the required hours to accomplish tasks and meet deadlines.
- This position is located within a Wildlife Hospital. While this position does not work directly with animals, all 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.
- Must be able to crouch, crawl, climb, stoop, and kneel.
- Vaccination requirements: Covid 19 and Tetanus. Flu shot may additionally be required due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
- Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies.
- Must be able to respect biosecurity protocols in place to keep people and animals safe.
To Apply:
Please send the following to Ariana, Executive Director, at ariana@sbwcn.org
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Three professional references
- If applicable: portfolio, website, professional social media
Why Work at SBWCN?
We’re more than a wildlife hospital, we’re a team of problem-solvers, animal advocates, and community educators working on the frontlines of environmental care. Here’s what you can expect when you join us:
- A supportive and collaborative team culture
- The chance to directly impact the lives of thousands of wild animals each year
- Opportunities for training and growth in the field of wildlife rehabilitation
- A workplace rooted in compassion, science, and service



