The Hawaiʻi Wildlife Center (HWC) operates its main rehabilitation facility on Hawaiʻi Island as well as a satellite clinic on Oʻahu to respond to and rehabilitate injured native Hawaiian wildlife. HWC is hiring an Oʻahu Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician (ORT) to support operations at the Oʻahu Satellite Clinic. The ORT is under the direct management of the Oʻahu Rehabilitation Manager (ORM). Operations are island-wide and based out of the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Center: Oahu Satellite located at the Honolulu Zoo. The ORT helps to ensure that Hawaiʻi Wildlife Center’s high standards for animal welfare are met through suitable wildlife care practices, husbandry, and daily maintenance tasks. The ORT may be responsible for wildlife response and animal care operations at the Oʻahu satellite facility when the ORM is off-site or off duty and insures continuity of care. The ORT assists the ORM in seabird response, stabilization, care, and transport during the Oʻahu seabird fallout season.
Applicants must have a strong interest in learning about the natural history and conservation issues of native and migratory Hawaiian birds. Experience with wildlife in a rehabilitation setting is preferred, especially including birds such as seabirds and raptors. Must be able to handle a high pace of wildlife receiving, examinations, and prompt processing of seabirds during the peak of fallout when 30-70 birds per day may be presented. The ORT is a part-time position, working as-needed no more than 20 hours per week. During peak seabird fallout additional hours might be available.
Duties and Responsibilities include:
- Assist the ORM in daily tasks and all aspect of wildlife care, including evaluation and stabilization of native Hawaiian birds: handling/restraint, intake exams, triage, critical care, medical treatment, nutritional support, cleaning, charting progress, and moving patients through the rehabilitation process in an effective manner
- Help ensure that animals are being handled in a manner that maximizes human and animal safety and that biosecurity protocols are being followed
- Follow HWC protocols and standards of care. Follow HWC native and non-native wildlife policies.
- Correctly identify avian species, learn natural history, developmental stages, diet, and housing in order to provide appropriate care. Help develop techniques for encouraging natural species-specific behavior as part of the rehabilitation process
- Maintain open lines of communication with the ORM and the main Hawaiʻi Island Facility
- Assist the ORM in the operations of the Manu o Kū soft release program and the Oʻahu Seabird Aid program. Support ongoing data collection efforts, be able to perform analyses, and brainstorm ideas for future study in order to guide decision making and further development of these programs
- Maintain current and accurate daily animal care and medical records on the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Center’s WRMD database
- Provide assistance and education to the public over the phone and in person. Promote a positive public image including at bird releases, outreach programs, and while working within the Honolulu Zoo
- Help develop educational programs and interactive activities in order to perform outreach
- Assist the ORM in mentoring and managing interns and volunteers
- Help coordinate bird transports via Oʻahu Wheels for Wildlife Volunteers. Coordinate with Hawaiʻi Island staff to set up flights for birds when the ORM is off-duty
- Prepare birds for transport according to protocols. Receive/hand off birds being transported by HWC’s Wheels for Wildlife volunteers
- Work professionally with collaborators at the Honolulu Zoo, Feather and Fur Animal Hospital, and other affiliate organizations on Oʻahu. Be able to coordinate with Honolulu Zoo staff for the receiving of wild birds from the public
- Assist with native bird rescues and releases
- Company vehicle is typically available during fallout season, but transports and rescues may require use of a personal vehicle. Mileage for transports and rescues using a personal vehicle will be reimbursed at the current IRS rate
- When the ORM is off-duty, perform daily tasks independently, including but not limited to feeding Manu o Ku and managing the Manu o Ku volunteers, respond to, intake and stabilize new patients, administer treatments on current patients per the directions of the ORM. Keep the ORM apprised of animal care, response, release plans, and other activities
- Work with the Hawaiʻi Island wildlife care team (Director of Wildlife Rehabilitation and Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife Rehabilitator/Techs) while the ORM is off duty and coordinate stabilization, animal care, rehabilitation, and response
- Other duties related to the operation of the wildlife response, stabilization, and rehabilitation facility operations as required or assigned
Qualifications:
- Degree in biology, zoology, or related field. Or equivalent experience working in an animal care position with wildlife
- A minimum of 1-year experience working with a variety of avian species in a rehab setting preferred
- Knowledge of animal behavior and strong observational skills
- Ability to maintain accurate and complete medical records and perform database entry
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with coworkers, interns, volunteers, and the general public
- Knowledge of island ecosystems and Hawaiian culture preferred
- Must have a positive “Can do” attitude, be able to handle stressful situations calmly, demonstrate professionalism, exhibit a strong work ethic and be able to handle physically rigorous work as well as tedious routine work
- Able to handle the demands of seabird fallout season when up to 30-70 birds may arrive in one day during the peak fallout and over 400-600+ birds per season
- Flexible to schedule changes based on caseload and staffing needs, able to work weekends and/or holidays if needed
- Ability to take direction and carry out assignments in a timely manner, whether working independently or as a team
- Must have initiative and motivation to identify projects, take charge of daily tasks, and learn specific medical and rehabilitative care of various avian species
- Comfortable using hand and power tools
- Willing to make a commitment to the organization’s mission, vision, and values as well as to the native wildlife of Hawaiʻi
- Ability to lift a minimum of 25 pounds
- Legally entitled to work in the United States
- Have or be able to obtain a valid Hawaiʻi driver’s license and have no record of major or repeated minor traffic offenses.
- Must abide by the NWRA Wildlife Rehabilitators code of ethics and HWC Employment Manual at all times.
Hourly rate: $18 per hour. This is a part-time position. Work hours will be under 20 hours per week, days of work and hours may vary. This position does not qualify for benefits.
Application Process: PLEASE FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS PRECISELY. email cover letter, resume, and three references in one document and titled with your last name to info@hawaiiwildlifecenter.org. Please put ‘Oahu Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician’ in the subject line.
Priority Deadline to Apply is April 30 2023
