Wildlife Specialist - Avian

Wildlife Specialist

Avian Department of White Oak Conservation Holdings LLC

Website:

http://www.whiteoakwildlife.org/jobs/

Location:

Yulee, Florida

Duration:

Open

Job Type:

Full Time Permanent

Application Deadline:

11/23/2018

Job Description:

White Oak is seeking a highly motivated conservation-focused Wildlife Specialist in our avian department.  The avian programs contain some of the most endangered animals found at White Oak.  White Oak implements endangered species recovery through collaborative approaches with USFWS and/or other domestic and international partners, more specifically by developing and fulfilling captive breeding and reintroduction techniques, such as with Florida Grasshopper Sparrow in Florida or Andean Condor in South America.  A few of these avian programs are also experimental, and involve innovative approaches to solve the problems identified in both in-situ and ex-situ populations.  Many programs also focus on zoo sustainability and require intensive efforts to save populations, such as assisted reproductive techniques or hormone monitoring.  The overarching theme of all White Oak avian programs is managing endangered or sensitive birds in large naturalistic enclosures, where breeding and other natural behavior flourishes under natural environmental conditions and stimuli.

The Wildlife Specialist is responsible for the daily care of the avian collection to include: feeding, cleaning, medicating, training and enrichment activities.  Other responsibilities include: participation with animal restraint, hand rearing, animal transfers, introductions, operant conditioning; area research projects; fostering regular wildlife department delivery of public education programs featuring the wildlife collection; assisting veterinarian staff with animal care procedures, treatment and sample collection, as directed; notifying supervisor of facility maintenance needs, supplies and animal feed needed in the wildlife area; assistance with minor animal care facilities maintenance including mowing, weed eating, pressure washing, dirt and substrate work, limb pick up, and minor repairs; reporting facility and equipment care needs; maintaining records and reports related to wildlife collection; observing and ensuring area safety protocol, safe vehicle and equipment operation; assisting with intern training as requested.

Qualifications:

Minimum qualifications: High School Diploma/GED required, Bachelor’s degree preferred.  One year of animal experience required.  Strong oral and written communication, public education and relevant computer skills. Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift, push, pull, carry, or otherwise move objects, climb a 5 foot ladder and work outdoors in all conditions; Excellent problem resolution skills along with outstanding communication and active listening skills; Must be able to work holidays, nights and weekends when required; Must have a valid driver’s license.  Desired Qualifications: Ability to hear high and low pitched, soft bird calls; Excellent vision and observation skills with the ability to see color bands on small birds through grass; Ability to stay calm in very stressful situations; Excellent coordination and animal handling ability; Strong initiative and work ethic; Excellent Microsoft Excel skills; familiarity with weedeaters, mowers, and large equipment like tractors and skidsteers; Familiarity with camera traps and remote camera systems.  

Compensation:

Commensurate with experience

To Apply:

To apply, go to the White Oak Conservation Website at http://www.whiteoakwildlife.org/jobs/ and apply for the Wildlife Specialist job opening.

Number of Openings:

1

Start Date:

January 7, 2019