Executive Director

Over the past 35 years, Gold Country Wildlife Rescue has evolved from a small local effort into a regional leader in wildlife rehabilitation. As we celebrate the upcoming retirement of our founder and longtime Executive Director, Sallysue Stein, we are also preparing for the next stage of our organization’s growth. To support the increasing scale and complexity of our year‑round operations, we are transitioning the Executive Director position into a full‑time, paid leadership role.

Sallysue will remain at the helm until a successor is hired and onboarded, and she looks forward to continuing to support GCWR in new ways following the transition. This evolution honors the foundation built by Sallysue and the many individuals who have shaped GCWR, ensuring we have the dedicated leadership necessary to sustain our mission for years to come.

Executive Director

Job Description

Location:

Auburn, CA, and surrounding areas
Employment Status:
Full‑Time, Exempt.
Starting Salary Range: $110,000 through $125,000
Benefits:
Health care stipend and 401k

Reports To:

Board of Directors

Direct reporting functions:

• Animal Care
• Marketing
• Philanthropy
• Finance & Administration

Are you a visionary leader ready to shape the future of wildlife rehabilitation in California? Gold Country Wildlife Rescue (GCWR) is seeking a dynamic Executive Director (ED) to guide us through an exciting era of growth and transformation. Located in the historic gold mining town of Auburn, CA, GCWR is a regional powerhouse. We are one of only two rehabilitation centers in the region, and one of only three in the entire state permitted to rehabilitate Black Bear cubs.

GCWR is one of Northern California’s leading providers of wildlife care. We are open 365 days a year, helping approximately 4,000 individual animals yearly, spanning over 200 species. GCWR receives over 20,000 emails and phone calls annually from people and organizations needing help. To date, we have cared for over 54,000 animals from 35 counties across California and parts of the US.

This is a rare opportunity to lead an organization with elite credentials and a massive footprint. We have longstanding relationships with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, including the Oiled Wildlife Care Network and Wildlife Disaster Network. Our impact extends across dozens of Northern California counties.

As our new ED, you won’t just be managing operations; you will be building our future. You will spearhead the development of our permanent home – a stunning 15‑acre property designed to be a rehabilitation center for wildlife and a center for education. If you are ready to combine hard work and professional excellence with the unparalleled lifestyle of Placer County, located in the Sierra foothills, a short drive from the ski slopes of Lake Tahoe, and a quick trip to San Francisco, we invite you to join us in saving lives and building a legacy.

Learn more dcountrywildliferescue.org

Rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing sick, injured and orphaned wildlife while advancing public awareness and understanding of the critical role of wildlife in the ecosystems we share.

The Executive Director (ED) is the leader and chief spokesperson for Gold Country Wildlife Rescue and is responsible for driving the success of GCWR. The ED will provide strong leadership, fostering a culture of teamwork and collaboration. GCWR seeks an ED who has a genuine understanding of and passion for GCWR’s mission, understands and appreciates the necessity of capacity building and organizational development, and is excited to grow and change with the organization.

• Finance, Operations and Program Management:
  Oversee day‑to‑day operations, including animal care, fundraising, financial management, and administration.
• Develop and manage annual and long‑term budgets, oversee financial planning, reporting, and investment management to ensure fiscal health.
• Ensure strong internal controls, accurate tracking of income and expenditures, proper…