Animal Care & Facility Technician (full-time)

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The Organization:

North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, a world-class wildlife rehabilitation centre, located in Errington, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, cares for ill, injured and orphaned wildlife, and educates the public on wildlife and environmental issues.

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The Position:

The North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre is accepting applications for a full-time Animal Care & Facility Technician to join our team and support the maintenance and operation of the Centre.

 

The position works under the direction, support and supervision of the Operations Manager and Animal Care Supervisor.

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Summary of Role:

As an Animal Care Technician, you will be responsible for: ensuring safe wildlife intake and transportation to the facility; assessment of the animal's needs during intake and throughout its care; daily food preparation and nourishment of all animals in care; providing daily medical care and administering medications; and cleaning all animal enclosures. You'll also be responsible for communicating with the public about wildlife in need of rescuing.

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position requires a mature and responsible person that works well both within a team and independently and can readily adapt to changing circumstances. It is physically demanding and requires attention to detail.

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 Animal Care: below are examples of Animal Care duties

• Follow feeding protocols and diet formulas for birds and other animals in rehabilitation.

• Move injured animals in and out of the enclosures for cleaning or according to the needs of the animal.

• Clean all enclosures each day and ensure the facility is hygienic for birds, animals, staff and the public.

• Assess the birds and animals in care each day and report any changes to the supervisor and obtain instructions for change in medical care/ medications.

• Follow treatment protocols for all birds and animals in rehabilitation.

• Euthanize animals, when required, under the direction of the Wildlife Veterinarian and/or Animal Care Supervisor.

• Adherence to all safety protocols in the administration of medications and medical care to birds and animals.

• Adherence to all safety protocols when carrying out any required medical procedures in the care of the birds and animals (i.e.: radiographs, cleaning of wounds & enclosures).

• Cleaning, mopping and preparing the facility for the next day.

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Animal Care Safety Protocols

You are required to follow the below safety protocols:

• When in an animal/bird enclosure, you must wear: a HARD HAT and PROTECTIVE GLOVES. Masks are optional but are available.

 

Animal Intake: below are examples of Animal Intake duties

• Each morning when you arrive, you will be responsible for checking the phones and determining if there are any messages from the public with respect to injured wildlife. You will call them back and retrieve/ provide information about rescue.

• When obtaining information from the public about injured animals, you will inquire about: the location, description of bird/animal, potential risks/hazards, if there will be a helper available on site.

• Rescue of injured and wounded wildlife (assessment of any dangers prior to rescue, minimizing stressors to animal, securing the animal in crate, securing the crate for transportation).

• Providing instruction to any helper at the rescue site of the safety procedures and limited role they have in supporting the Animal Care & Facility Technician during the rescue.

• Adherence to all safety protocols prior to and during transportation (following speed limits, safe driving practices, securing crate to avoid shifting).

• Collaboration with and cooperative/respectful attitude when working with animal rescue/transport volunteers.

• Must be able to work on short notice and in emergency situations.

• Help ensure safety of the public and of resident animals.

• Upon arrival at the centre, assessment of the injured bird/animal.

• Ensure that after each intake the recovery rooms are ready for the next bird/animal.

 

Animal Rescue and Transportation Safety Protocols

You are required to follow the below safety protocols:

• When participating in a bird/animal rescue, you must have and wear: a net and protective gloves, as well as protective eyewear and masks, when necessary.

 

 

Care of Facility: below are examples of Facility duties

• As part of the Animal Care team, maintain washrooms, Museum, Learning Centre, Treatment Centre, Recovery Room and Eco Centre.

• Assist Yard Foreman with site maintenance duties as required.

• Open/Close the Gift Shop and Eco Centre, turn off alarms for volunteers in the absence of Executive Director.

 

Participation in Education Programs:

• Work alongside Education Volunteers with educational birds and programs.

• Provide information to the public.

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND/OR EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS 

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• Must have a valid BC Driver’s license with clean driving abstract (proof required) and reliable transportation.

• Must be able to fluently speak and write English.

• Must be willing to get a Police Information Check as a condition of employment.

• Must be in excellent physical health.

• Must have WHMIS or be willing to obtain certification as condition of employment.

• Excellent “people skills” and communication capabilities.

• Must be able to follow direction well.

• Excellent time management.

• Willingness to learn and grow into roles with more responsibilities.

• Willingness to follow strict protocols and procedures.

• Excellent teamwork skills and good work ethic.

• Ability to be flexible to meet the needs of the organization

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HOURS, WAGES AND BENEFITS

• Full Time

• Hours: 40 hours per week - working weekends

• Wage: $21.00 per hour to start, with raise to $24.00 per hour and health benefit package upon successful completion of probation period.