Job Description : Wildlife Rehabilitation 

Hours: (full-time) Permanent

Wages: £23,500

Report to: Chief Executive

Location: Windlesham 

Hours: 7:30 – 17:30 with 1 hour for lunch plus break. 

Shift: 5/2 shift pattern and the usual input expected with this wildlife role . 25 days holiday allocation includes bank holidays. 

Purpose of Job

Overall responsibility for intake, welfare, rehabilitation and release of all wildlife at our hospital. To manage the daily operation in our rescue including hands on care, ensuring that volunteers are maintaining best practice and that rehabilitation and release procedures for all wildlife meet the highest standards.

Main Duties 

• Liaise with the veterinary team 
• Ensure the rescue provides appropriate care for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife casualties and to oversee their rehabilitation and release.

• Manage the daily operation within the rescue ensuring volunteers and  students are working well as a team in an efficient and diligent manner, maintaining best practice, and effectively rehabilitating wildlife according to our agreed protocols

• Develop and pilot new rehabilitation techniques and protocols and improve current methods

• Ensure that the rescue keeps comprehensive and accurate records of all wildlife admissions, releases, agreed treatments and medications, and use this data to guide future practice and research

• Ensure that wildlife volunteers have monthly one-to-ones, as well as continued support and motivation

• Induct all new volunteers in the rescue and train in our Standard Operating Procedures and oversee the continued professional development of all wildlife volunteers

• Prepare volunteer rosters.

• Liaising with veterinary team , reception and other staff

• Carry out regular maintenance checks of all areas of the intensive care  units and facilities, ensuring that designated areas are secure, well maintained, fully functional and in line with agreed best practice

• Produce reports on the work of the wildlife rescue as required to evaluate outcomes of admissions

• Help maintain our database of other external contacts to further the interests of the rescue

Job Description 

• When directed act as media spokesperson for interviews relating to our work with wildlife and where appropriate, in conjunction with the Chief Executive

• Create and/or update protocols and procedures to improve the rehabilitation and outcomes for casualties

• Be responsible for the ordering of supplies to meet immediate needs and maintain adequate stock levels of disposables including cleaning materials, feed and bedding.

• Within the rescue, carry out regular fire alarm tests, COSHH assessments, and other H&S audits, recording findings and reporting any concerns to the chief executive

• Ensure adequate stocks of PPE are maintained on site and that volunteers are trained and compliant in the use of PPE

• Maintain good public relations and help to maintain a high profile for the rescue raising the public awareness of the importance of volunteers and donations to the continuance of our work of

• Meet agreed objectives, undertake an annual performance review and undertake training as required

• Be flexible and willing to take on special projects or other reasonable duties as requested
• While at work all staff are required to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts and omissions
• To be aware of and comply with the requirements stated within the Staff Handbook and other policies and operational procedures as issued from time to time

Additional information

• Working at weekends and all bank holidays will be a regular requirement of this role as animals   must be cared for 365 days a year.
• The post holder needs to be aware that the role is physically challenging and emotionally demanding. Due to the nature of the work, along with location of the cages and pens – the role requires reaching, squatting, kneeling, bending and stretching.  The role also required lifting and carrying. 
• You may be working alone at times and will be required to work quietly so you don’t disturb the wildlife.

Variations

This job description is a statement of the job content agreed in September 2023. It should not be seen as precluding future changes. This job description will be reviewed annually during the Appraisal process, to take into account the need for change in the services, role and activity.

Education and Training 

• Relevant animal related qualification 

• Knowledge of legislation relating to animal care and wildlife species

• Excellent IT skills especially Word, Excel, internet and email

Qualities

• Enthusiastic self-starter with the ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team

• Flexible, self-confident, reliable and able to work alone

• Resilience to stress and emotionally strong

• Ability to deal with all issues with tact and diplomacy

• Calm when under pressure even when faced with confrontational situations

• Honest and trustworthy

Experience and Skills 

• Experience of British wildlife within a wildlife rescue is preferred but not essential 

• Wild animal handling skills are preferred but not essential 

• Excellent communication and customer care skills

• Management of volunteers is desirable

• High degree of emotional stamina and the ability to cope with animal euthanasia

• Willingness to undertake training as and when required

• Prepared to work flexibly including evenings and weekends, cover sickness and holiday periods; be prepared to stay on-site overnight when required

• Car driver with full clean driving licence September 2023

How to Apply

Applications can only be considered on our online application form below

We do not accept applications by post or by hand.

Only completed applications received on the appropriate form will be considered –

The closing date for completed applications is  5th November  2023

Thank you for your interest in working at Harper Asprey Wildlife Hospital