Wildlife Rehabilitator

NEW MEXICO WILDLIFE CENTER

Mission
:
Our mission is to protect New Mexico’s wildlife through rehabilitation, conservation, education, and public engagement.

Title: Wildlife Rehabilitator

Primary Responsibilities:

• Apply current best practices ensuring a high standard of care for wildlife patients.
• Assist in the supervision and training of seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Maintain work spaces, supplies, equipment, and facility in a safe, clean, and organized manner.
• Assist the staff veterinarian in the medical care and treatment of wildlife patients.
• Support practices that place NMWC as a leader in wildlife care and rehabilitation.

Classification: Full-Time hourly, non-exempt

Reports To: Staff Veterinarian

Supervises: Wildlife hospital volunteers and interns

Work Hours: 5 days/40 hours per week; hours are seasonally variable, typically some nights, weekend, and holiday work hours required; some in‑state travel required.

Salary Range: $18 – $22 per hour

Benefits

Summary:

Paid Time Off (PTO) 48 hours first year of employment; three paid holidays;
Paid Sick Leave (PSL); monthly partial health insurance reimbursement ($400 single/$800 married); cost of living stipend $360 monthly for FY2025‑26, retirement plan.

Overtime: Overtime at 1.5x regular hourly rate with prior written approval of supervisor.

Under the direction of the staff veterinarian the wildlife rehabilitator is responsible for the care, rehabilitation, and release of approximately 1,000 animals annually. Candidates for this position will ideally possess experience rehabilitating a wide variety of taxa, including birds (about 70% of intakes over half of which are songbirds), mammals (about 28% of intakes) and herptiles (about 2%). The applicant must be able to work with potentially dangerous animals in a way that ensures the safety of both the animal and staff.

This position assists with the training and supervision of hospital interns and volunteers. The applicant fully supports NMWC’s strategic plan, mission, and core values; is passionate about the organization’s impact, and may represent NMWC at local, regional, and national meetings.

• Assist with the rehabilitation process ensuring that all animal care needs are met and treatments are correctly administered.
• Apply current best standards of care under the direction of the staff veterinarian.
• Accurate daily record keeping, including but not limited to diet, medications, weight, behavior, treatments, and patient disposition.
• Contribute to development and implementation of patient care and treatment plans.
• Ensure animals are handled in a manner maximizing human and animal safety.
• Communicate with staff veterinarian regarding patient intakes, status of in‑care patients, and hospital supply needs.
• Assist with supervision of interns and volunteers.
• Collaborate with the education staff on matters concerning ambassador animal health and welfare and assist with medical exams and treatments.
• Assist in the development and implementation of the hospital internship program.
• Ensure appropriate procedures are followed for any rehabilitation research projects.
• Identify, correct or notify the staff veterinarian regarding any observed facility or equipment maintenance and safety needs.
• Responsible for the proper use and maintenance of all hospital equipment.
• Maintain indoor and outdoor hospital areas in a safe and organized manner.
• Effectively communicate with the public and government agencies.
• Participate in continuing education and acquire or maintain professional certifications.
• Participate in staff and hospital team meetings.
• Represent NMWC in a professional manner.
• Participate in NMWC on and off‑site special events.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Prior rehab work experience may be considered.
• Minimum 1 year full‑time professional experience in wildlife rehabilitation.
• Able to work with a wide variety of species, including birds, mammals, and reptiles.
• Proof of pre‑exposure rabies vaccination or titer required or obtain within 60 days of hire.
• Possess or obtain New Mexico euthanasia technician license within…