Seasonal Wildlife Rehabilitator

PURPOSE: 

  • Through the application of current best practices ensure the best attainable medical care, treatment and rehabilitation outcomes for wildlife patients at NMWC.
  • Assist the Staff Veterinarian and Wildlife Rehabilitators in the supervision and training of interns and volunteers.
  • Assist NMWC’s Staff Veterinarian in the care and treatment of wildlife patients.
  • Support initiatives and practices that place NMWC as a national leader in wildlife care and rehabilitation.

CLASSIFICATION:  Seasonal, Full time, non-exempt.

REPORTS TO:  Staff Veterinarian.

SUPERVISES:  Wildlife hospital volunteers and interns.

WORK HOURS:  Work hours are seasonally variable, typically 5 days/40 hours per week. Some nights, weekend, and holiday work hours required. Some in-state travel required.

BENEFITS:  PTO, holidays as described in NMWC employee manual.

OVERTIME:  Overtime only upon prior written approval of supervisor.

POSITION SUMMARY:  The Seasonal Wildlife Rehabilitator is responsible for the care, rehabilitation, and release of approximately 1,000 animals annually. Supervises and trains hospital interns and volunteers, and works to advance the Center’s mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Animals and Care

  • Oversee and move animals through the complete rehabilitation process in a timely manner and ensure that animal care needs are being met and treatments are being appropriately administered.
  • Maintain highest quality of care standards, refine species protocols, and oversee rehabilitation treatment plans.
  • Collaborate with veterinarian(s) to develop and carry out treatment plans and determine final disposition of animals undergoing care.
  • Keep accurate and detailed animal health records and oversee documentation of daily animal care; coordinate veterinary and diagnostic procedures.
  • Ensure that animals are being handled in a manner that maximizes human and animal safety and that staff/interns/volunteers are trained in and following safety procedures.
  • Assist other hospital staff in the coordination, transport, and release of hospital patients.

Teamwork

  • Keep Staff Veterinarian apprised (in a timely manner) of animal intakes, in-house patients and their status, animal care needs, quality of animal care, patient procedures, and hospital needs.
  • Supervise hospital interns and volunteers. Working with Staff Veterinarian and Wildlife Rehabilitators as needed, develop and implement high-quality summer internship program.
  • Maintain open lines of communication, including attending staff meetings and hospital staff meetings.
  • Support Education Team in necessary medical treatments for Ambassador Animals.
  • Support Administrative Coordinator and other staff in answering wildlife-related phone inquiries.

Administration

  • Identify maintenance needs of hospital areas and outdoor caging. Communicate needs to Staff Veterinarian in a timely fashion.
  • Identify inventory needs of all rehabilitation, caging, and food supplies. Communicate needs to Staff Veterinarian in a timely fashion.

Professionalism

  • Use all hospital equipment in an appropriate and safe manner, follow appropriate guidelines and protocols and obtain needed training. Equipment includes X-ray, diagnostic machines, centrifuge, anesthesia machines, etc.
  • Maintain all wildlife hospital areas (inside and out) in a tidy and well-organized manner.
  • Represent NMWC in a professional manner at all times.

Secondary Responsibilities

  • Support rehabilitation research programs as requested.
  • In collaboration with the Staff Veterinarian and Executive Director, assist with maintenance projects in hospital and on outdoor caging.
  • Participate in and assist with on and off-site special events.
  • Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to interact effectively with the public, law enforcement, regulators, veterinarians, and others.
  • Excellent organizational, detail, planning and time management skills.
  • Self-motivated, able to work independently with limited supervision and as a member of a team.
  • Ability to multi-task, manage multiple projects simultaneously and re-prioritize as needed.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Proactive approach in resolving problems with a positive outlook and can-do attitude.
  • A working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs and database management including WRMD.
  • Skills related to training, coaching, and mentoring personnel highly desirable.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • A passion for NMWC’s mission and a keen interest in conservation.
  • Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field. Significant experience may be considered in place of education.
  • At least one year of wildlife rehabilitation experience required. Two years professional experience in wildlife rehabilitation with a combination of mammals, songbirds, raptors, and reptiles preferred.
  • One year of experience successfully managing volunteers and/or interns in a rehabilitation or similar setting preferred.
  • Pre-exposure rabies vaccination series required. Proof of vaccination or adequate titer within 12 months will be required.
  • Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds safely.
  • Must be legally entitled to work in the USA.
  • Must be able to humanely perform euthanasia on a regular and routine basis as well as personally and professionally handle the emotional aspects of euthanasia.
  • Must be able to read, write, and speak clearly in English so that written and verbal instructions can be given and followed.

SWR schedule includes working weekends and regularly includes some government holidays, may require occasional overtime.

Dates: Will be from approximately April 2025 through the end of September 2025. Start and end date can be somewhat flexible.

Salary: $18.00/hour plus monthly $300 cost of living stipend. Full time, non-exempt, 40-hours per week. Temporary onsite housing may be available at beginning of employment contract

How to Apply: Send resume, cover letter, and three professional references to hospital@newmexicowildlifecenter.org. Please put Seasonal Wildlife Rehabilitator in the subject line. Open until filled.