Overview

Position Description

Blue Ridge Wildlife Center (BRWC) is a nonprofit, full-service wildlife hospital located in Boyce, Virginia that takes in over 2,800 sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife annually. We also provide education programs to the community.

BRWC is currently searching for a Wildlife Rehabilitation Associate to work in our facility in Boyce.

This position is full-time and salaried with great benefits!

Summary The Wildlife Rehabilitation Associate will directly assist with the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of the nearly 3,000 animals the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center takes in annually. This position will also involve training and supervising volunteers, interns, and overall furthering the BRWC’s mission.

Responsibilities

Animal Care

  • Daily rehabilitation and care of wildlife patients, ensuring that the animals needs are being met and treatments are being appropriately administered.
  • Assist with refining operating procedures to make sure BRWC is up to date on best practices and highest standards of care.
  • Keep accurate and detailed patient 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.
  • Check and maintain that all patient enclosures are sufficient for use and maintain/improve on current or new enclosures where needed.
  • Facilitate the movement and upgrade of animals as appropriate and coordinate releases/release locations with staff and volunteers.
  • Go on rescues when appropriate using best-practice techniques and appropriate PPE/materials.

Volunteers/Interns

  • Supervise interns and volunteers during their shifts to assure all needed tasks are being completed.
  • Assist with training volunteers and interns according to updated care protocols and best practices.
  • Keep up to date files on all volunteers and interns working at the facility and keep track of necessary vaccinations/permit requirements & applications when necessary.
  • Keep track of hours of volunteers and interns and maintain compliance of volunteers and interns logging their hours.
  • Assist with creating and planning educational materials such as lectures or hands-on learning experiences for interns and volunteers.
  • Keep track of current status of training levels for different volunteers and interns.
  • Maintain and update volunteer and intern paperwork, policies, and applications as needed.
  • Assist with advertising or scouting for potential volunteers and/or interns via the internet, social media, and events.

Administrative Duties

  • Assist with answering the hotline when necessary.
  • Maintain an active Virginia Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit.
  • Assist with inventory & supply orders.

Other

  • Attend Continuing Education events annually to achieve minimum hours for permit renewals, network, and gain insight on new information on methods and treatments of wildlife.
  • Assist with events.
  • Assist with procuring content for social media platforms.
  • Maintain a clean and healthy environment throughout the facility.

Requirements

  • Professional experience working in a wildlife rehabilitation facility.
  • Ability to lift and carry at least 50 lbs.
  • Computer literacy – Microsoft office programs, e-mail, basic typing, database entry, etc.
  • Ability to work outdoors in a variety of settings and seasons.
  • Ability to walk up and down stairs, hills, and on uneven terrain.
  • Preference for candidates with additional volunteer and intern training experience.
  • Pre-exposure Rabies Vaccination or proof of titers within the last two years.
  • Covid-19 vaccination.
  • A valid driver’s license.

How to apply

Send your cover letter and resume, including wage expectations, to info@blueridgewildlifectr.org.

No phone calls please. Our phone lines are best used for wildlife emergencies.