Relief Rehabilitator

About the Job

The Essential functions of the job include tasks that advance The Raptor Center's (TRC) mission of service by efficiently and effectively assisting with the care of wild raptors admitted to TRC's hospital. This role focuses on those birds which have completed medical treatment and have entered the rehabilitation phase of care. For each of these birds, the Relief Rehabilitator assists with the daily care, captive management, flight reconditioning, and pre-release preparations, ensuring a high standard of patient care is maintained for all individuals.

The Relief Rehabilitator also assists with the care, management, renesting, and fostering of all juvenile raptors admitted.

The ability to work well with a team and strong communication skills are important components of the position. The Relief Rehabilitator will routinely work with and train volunteers to complete patient care tasks, and will regularly interact with the general public, where clear communication and the ability to navigate challenging conversations are important. This position also involves interaction with and training of student employees.

This temporary 6-month position will require flexibility in working hours as needed to cover patient care needs during periods of high caseload and holidays.

Primary Responsibilities

• 60%- Rehabilitation duties
  • Assist with the rehabilitative care of all raptor patients that have completed medical care. Tasks include but are not limited to: creating physical reconditioning schedules, evaluating flight performance (mechanics and endurance), performing live prey training, conducting pre-release examinations and diagnostics with a staff veterinarian, coordinating releases, and maintaining beaks and talons (coping).
  • Assist with providing care for all juvenile raptors during baby season
    • Tasks include but are not limited to: caring for juvenile raptors in hospital which have completed medical treatment, training volunteers on basic care for juveniles, performing and coordinating renesting and fostering, following up with the general public on reunites or fosters.
  • Coordinate with the clinic manager on oversight of TRC's mouse colony
• 30%- Clinic support tasks and general patient care
  • Assist with daily patient care needs, which may include supporting the veterinarians and veterinary technicians
    • Tasks include but are not limited to: helping feed and medicate patients, conducting cage-side rounds, preparing feeding sheets and medications for volunteers, and assisting with patient care for birds that are being managed by other staff members including assisting with recheck examinations, providing physical restraint, assisting with medical treatments, and assisting in the quarantine spaces as needed.
  • Support day-to-day clinic operations by completing miscellaneous tasks as needed to support the clinic team
  • Interface with the public, returning phone calls and answering questions about injured birds, and assist in arranging transport for injured patients as needed.
• 5%- Volunteer training and engagement
  • Assist with coordinating volunteers in the various aspects of rehabilitation such as flight reconditioning and renesting juveniles
  • Work with the clinic manager and clinic staff to provide volunteer engagement, such as patient updates.
  • Represent TRC in a professional manner consistent with TRC clinic's identified mission and goals
• 5%- Other duties as assigned

Location and Work environment

• In-person at The Raptor Center Clinic

Work Schedule

• This is a full-time temporary position (6 months) averaging 40 hours per week.
• Standard scheduling consists of five 8-hour shifts per week, with start and end times scheduled within the window of 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM.
• In some circumstances, the schedule may be adjusted to four 10-hour shifts to meet operational needs.
• Overtime must be approved in advance by a supervisor.
• The schedule may be adjusted, with advance notice, to provide coverage during staff vacations. Due to the high volume of patient care during the summer months, vacation time in July and August is limited.

Essential Employee Designation

• Essential employee

All required qualifications must be included in the application materials

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree or a combination of related education (ie CVT) and work experience to equal at least 4 years
• At least 1 year of professional experience working in the wildlife rehabilitation field
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to effectively communicate with diverse…