Since 1979, HHS Wildlife Center has been committed to providing quality emergency care and rehabilitation for injured, ill, and orphaned wildlife brought to us by the public in the Houston area. HHSWC has several seasonal openings for Technicians in our Wildlife Rehabilitation Department (WRD). Animals in this department currently include, but are not limited to - squirrels, opossums, doves, and songbirds.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Animal husbandry including feeding and weighing animals, cleaning enclosures, monitoring behavior and providing enrichment activities.
- Learn and implement patient care protocols by species.
- Medical work including stabilizing patients, tube feeding, stethoscope use, administering oral and subcutaneous fluids, medical care, and record keeping.
- Safely handle and work with all animals admitted into HHSWC, excluding rabies vector species.
- Make sure animal feeding schedules are adhered to.
- General cleaning duties including dishes, laundry, bathrooms, trash, sweeping, and mopping.
- Assist in training and task assignments of volunteers and interns.
- Effectively communicate with HHSWC staff members, interns, and volunteers.
- Maintain a safe and professional working environment.
Required Qualifications:
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Must have your own reliable transportation.
- College degree or equivalent workplace experience.
- Ability to work independently and as a team.
- Responsible, trustworthy, and motivated multitasker.
- Respectful and calm demeanor with a positive attitude under stressful conditions.
- Ability to face urgent life or death situations almost daily including handling the emotional aspects of euthanasia.
- Must be able to perform basic mathematical computations including fractions and percentages.
- Work will often require: standing, bending, stooping, lifting (must be able to lift 30lbs), climbing ladders, and reading small text.
- Capable of rigorous indoor and outdoor work.
- Leadership and people skills to motivate volunteers to complete tasks.
- Comfortable preparing and working with insects and carcasses.
- Comfortable working with and around needles.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in this field is not required, but some animal-related experience is helpful. We are willing to train qualified and committed candidates.
- Have a degree in or be working towards a degree in biology, zoology, wildlife & fisheries, or related.
- Ability to administer subcutaneous injections.
- Knowledge of basic computer skills and WRMD.
Time Commitment:
- Position is seasonal and typically lasts from February to October.
- Must be available to work 30-40 hours per week.
- Must be available to work weekends and holidays.
- Must be available to work a flexible schedule to accommodate the influx of animals during certain times of the year. Shifts may start as early as 4:45 am and end as late as 12 AM.
- Must complete all trainings and attend any scheduled meetings.
- Number of hours per week is not guaranteed.
Changing Office Locations:
The HHS Wildlife Center will be changing locations to a new and improved building in late summer/early fall of 2023. The new location will be 3100 W. Fuqua Street, Houston, TX 77045.
All prospective employees must be willing to work at the current location and switch to the new location after the move.