Wildlife Rehabilitator

Stark Parks is currently hiring a Wildlife Rehabilitator. If you are a hands-on, compassionate individual with a strong understanding of Ohio's native wildlife and experience in animal care, we invite you to apply. This position plays a vital role in the rehabilitation and re-release of injured, orphaned, and diseased wildlife and serves an essential resource for public education on conservation and human-wildlife coexistence.

As part of a close-knit and mission-driven team at the Wildlife Conservation Center, you'll conduct patient assessments, administer critical care, and contribute to daily animal care routines. This role also involves interacting with the public, responding to wildlife-related inquiries, and helping build awareness around Ohio native species.

We're looking for someone who thrives in an ever-changing environment, can remain calm under pressure, and isn't afraid to get a little dirty-cleaning, feeding, and handling a variety of animals (including rabies vector species and birds of prey). If you're ready to make a meaningful impact on wildlife and conservation education, we'd love to hear from you.

PURPOSE:

Facilitates the rehabilitation of injured, orphaned, and diseased Ohio native wildlife for the purpose of re-release. Conducts patient assessments, oversees animal care, and performs various procedures and treatments as applicable. Serves as the first line of education to the general public in regard to pertinent conservation issues, the subject of human and wildlife co-existence and Ohio native wildlife knowledge.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Facilitates the process of intake, rehabilitation, monitoring and release of injured, orphaned, and diseased native wildlife as permitted by governing regulations (local, state and federal).

• Provides physical intake examination, assessment and critical care techniques such as handling, wound care, stabilization, bandaging, etc. to a variety of wildlife encountered at the Wildlife Conservation Center.

• Ensures consistent use of daily diets, medications and treatment plans for appropriate wildlife as specified by Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager and Widlife Conservation Center best practices.

• Ensures good customer service while working with the public and is responsible for completing necessary daily forms, reports and other documentation during the animal intake process. Communicates clearly with other rehabilitators, customers, and other professionals.

• Uses sound judgment when making decisions about rehabilitation animals, responds quickly and calmly to emergencies, and maintains high standards of patient care.

• Remain flexible in face of changing daily priorities and provide necessary care calmly and quickly as needed.

• Responsible for cleaning, maintenance and preparation of animal caging, animal diets, laundry duties, and general housekeeping duties.

• Interacts with the public via telephone or in person and serves as a first line educator about Ohio Native Wildlife through public presentations.

• Encounters moderate to frequent exposure to a variety of potentially dangerous wildlife (birds of prey, rabies vector species, etc.), insects, poisonous vegetation, zoonotic diseases and moderate exposure to outside weather conditions throughout the year.

• Works closely with Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager to provide budget and project need insights to help support the achievement of short and long term Education Department and Wildlife Conservation Center goals.

• All other duties as assigned.

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Familiarity with local/state/federal wildlife standards
• Knowledge of wildlife care best practices and handling techniques
• Ability to provide excellent customer service under highly emotional circumstances
• Ability to multitask and prioritize work based on care needs
• Effective organizational and interpersonal skills
• Intermediate Microsoft Office Suite skills
• Ability to frequently handle animals and large feed bags, at times in excess of 40 lbs. with or without assistance
• Must be able to withstand unpleasant animal noises and odors
• Ability to meet physical requirements of the job as outlined

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Associate's degree in Zoology, Veterinary Science, Biology or related field and a minimum of six (6) months of relevant wildlife rehabilitation work experience required.

CERTIFICATIONS:

Valid Driver License with automotive insurance.

Ohio Division of Wildlife Category I training preferred.

Ohio Division of Wildlife Rabies Vector Species training preferred.

Pre-exposure rabies vaccination required as recommended by the CDC due to high risk of exposure to rabies.

WORK CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL FACTORS:

Work conditions include an active work environment with regular movement throughout the work day. Occasional exposure to extreme temperatures, outside weather conditions, poisonous vegetation, and working around bodies of water. Frequent exposure to a variety of wildlife animals, insects, zoonotic diseases, animal bites, scratches, biological and fecal matter. Frequent exposure to sharp objects, needles, etc.

Must be able to perform physical requirements of the job including but not limited to: ability to talk clearly and hear, use hands and fingers to handle/feel, frequently required to stand, walk, bend, reach, stoop, kneel and crouch. Frequent ability to lift/carry, push/pull up to 50 lbs. with or without assistance. The position requires spending long amounts of time (4-8 hours) standing, walking and navigating a variety of landscapes (outdoor enclosure, indoor facility, and a variety of release locations). Vision abilities include close, distance and peripheral vision. Exposed to moderate noise levels.

EQUIPMENT:

Expected to safely and effectively operate Park vehicles, general office equipment and phone system as well as Wildlife Conservation Center tools of the trade (CO2 tank, feeding tubes)

Pay: $34,840.00- $42,556.80

Must be eligible for employment in the United States, have a valid Ohio driver's license, and be insurable. Pre-employment background check and drug screening will be performed.

EOE - M/F/D/V