• Job Title: Senior Animal Care Manager
• Location: Courtown, Co. Wexford
• Reports To: General Manager
• Contract: Permanent upon completion of probation
• Salary: €37,500 per annum
• Hours: Average of 39 hours per week, may include weekend, public holiday and evening work

Background:

Seal Rescue Ireland (SRI) is a registered charity which operates a busy seal rescue and education centre located in Courtown, Co. Wexford. The only facility of its kind in Ireland, SRI responds to seal reports nationwide and works tirelessly to rescue and rehabilitate seal pups that are found sick, injured, and orphaned from around the coast of Ireland with the aim to rehabilitate the pups to full health and release them back to the wild. SRI promotes ocean conservation and sustainability through education and community outreach programmes, in order to protect our marine environment and all life within.

Job Summary

The Senior Animal Care Manager reports directly to the General Manager. The Senior Animal Care Manager will lead Seal Rescue Ireland’s Animal Care Team in executing our mission to rescue and rehabilitate seal pups as the only Seal Rescue Centre in the Republic of Ireland.
The Senior Animal Care Manager will oversee all aspects of seal rescue, seal care and rehabilitation facility operations. Daily work includes coordinating rescue of seal pups nationwide, treatment of seal pups currently in care, training and communication with interns and volunteers, daily management such as record keeping and stocktakes, and coordinating releases. SRI is a small facility with a big mission. Candidates must be passionate, extremely versatile and work closely with the small team of staff and volunteers. This role is based at the Seal Rescue Centre in Courtown.

Responsibilities

This list is not exhaustive.

Animal Care

● Development and updating treatment plans for seal pups in care and communication with veterinary contacts.
● Supervise and participate in daily animal diet preparations and feeding, routine cleaning of enclosures and delivering medical treatments.
● Feeding and treating seals in care involving the safe handling and restraining of seals (up to 35kg in weight).
● Reporting on daily progress and behaviour of seal pups in care.
● Daily management and updating of seal records database through Salesforce CRM.
● Undertaking regular hospital inventory, stock checks, equipment and maintenance checks and reporting on same and overseeing stock and fish deliveries (includes manual handling).
● Supervise and train interns and volunteers in the SOP’s of seal rehabilitation and support their learning, health and safety and wellbeing.
● Work with the Animal Care Team to continuously review our practices and ensure we are delivering the best possible and up to date care plans.
● Plan and coordinate seal releases at various locations, this can include traveling to releases and transporting seals.
● Promotion, management and regular review and updating of health and safety measures.
● Communication with relevant bodies such as NPWS, Department of Agriculture to convey required reports, maintain up to date licensing and as necessary for specific cases.
● Communication with UCD Veterinary Hospital and record keeping in relation to necropsy reports.
● Oversee and participate in the maintenance and upkeep of the Seal Rescue Centre and grounds.
● Oversee the daily operations of the Seal Rescue and Visitor Centre.
● Assist with weekly scheduling.

Rescue Network

● Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Volunteer Rescue Network, including the recruitment and training of Rescue Network Volunteers, instruction and delegation, operating the Rescue Hotline and training interns to assist in Rescue Hotline management.
● Receive and assess reports of seals made by members of the public from across the coast.
● Coordinate Volunteer Rescue Network to rescue and transport seals to our centre in Courtown.
● Recruit and train Rescue Network Volunteers - both in person at locations across Ireland and through virtual training session via Zoom.
● Manage the Rescue Network database and keep volunteer contact information up to date.
● Send out correspondence and equipment to Rescue Network Volunteers.
● Provide support for and acknowledgement of volunteers and their work.

● Monitor the dedicated Rescue Network inbox and reply to enquiries about training and give advice to members of the public.
● Monitor and maintain seal report logs and folders.
● Monitor visitor responses for those interested in joining the Rescue Network.
● Keep up to date/develop volunteer training presentations/protocols/health and safety policies.
General Operation
● Support GM in general management.
● Monthly reporting.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Requirements

Essential

● Qualification in relevant field, such as veterinary medicine, zoology, animal care or equivalent experience.
● Previous Animal Care/ Wildlife Rehabilitation experience.
● Demonstrable team leadership skills with evidenced experience of guiding and supporting a team, team motivation, collaboration and achieving planned outcomes.
● Sound understanding of office administration, including experience in the development and management of systems and procedures that ensure efficient operations.
● Applicants must be comfortable with public speaking, giving direction/teaching, and using GSuite and/or Microsoft Office programs.
● Excellent communication skills.
● Applicants must be organised, self-motivated, and solution orientated is essential.
● Applicants must be able to prioritise effectively and have sound logical reasoning and problem solving skills.
● Applicants must be fluent in English. For non-native English speakers we require a C1 level of English.
● Applicants must possess the ability to adapt to an ever-changing work environment, and be available to work variable hours, including nights, weekends and holidays.
● Applicants must be eligible to live and work in Ireland
● Full, clean driving licence.

Desirable

● Experience working in a management role.
● Previous work in marine mammal rehabilitation and/ or conservation.
● Experience with Salesforce CRM.
● Experience working in the charity/ voluntary sector.
● Previous HR and Health & Safety management experience

Personal Qualities And Characteristics:

The successful candidate will be passionate about animal care and our mission. This position requires an organised and responsible individual with sound decision making skills. We are seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic individual with an open and flexible attitude, who can work closely with the small dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

Application Process:

To apply, please send your CV with a cover letter setting out why you are the right candidate for the role by email to operations@sealrescueireland.org with the subject line “Animal Care Manager Position” by 25th January 2025.