Summer jobs & Student jobs

Position: Wildlife Rehabilitator
Type: age 30 & under / summer
Organization: Rideau Valley Wildlife

Location: North Gower, Greater Ottawa, Ontario
Housing: A limited number of shared, on-site accommodations are available for out of town applicants.

The Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (RVWS) is a registered charity located between North Gower and Kemptville, Ontario. RVWS rehabilitates up to 1,000 injured, sick or orphaned wild mammals and turtles annually with the goal of returning them to the wild. RVWS also provides advice to the public on co-existing peacefully with wildlife, and preventing and solving wildlife problems. 

Job Duties

Leadership

• assist with maintaining a positive, healthy and safe work environment
• assist with upholding organizational policies, procedures and practices to ensure high quality animal care standards
• assist with overseeing wildlife rehabilitation interns and volunteers, and other staff
• collaborate and coordinate with other wildlife rehabilitators and supervisors

Assist with coordinating wildlife rehabilitation operations

• assist with coordinating wildlife rehabilitation operations to ensure that patient welfare meets the highest standards
• prepare daily assignments for volunteers
• greet, brief and oversee daily interns and volunteers
• help train and mentor new volunteers
• communicate issues or concerns to supervisors

Animal care

• feed animals, clean cages
• update medical, diet and other treatment plans
• ensure treatment plans are being administered properly
• respond to animal emergencies
• communicate issues or concerns to supervisors
• clean and disinfect rehab supplies and equipment, and indoor and outdoor facilities

Provide advanced animal care

• admit and assess new cases
• develop treatment plans for new patients
• administer medications, fluids and other treatments
• attend to sick or priority cases
• assist at veterinary appointments

Monitor clients and inquiries

• respond to client and public inquiries as required
• maintain records

Communications and outreach

• contribute articles for newsletters, e-news, social media and other communications
• regularly take and upload photos and videos of wildlife patients

Other related duties as required

Eligibility

This job is made possible under the Canada Summer Jobs program. To be eligible under the program, youth must: 

• be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment;
• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment; and
• have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.

International students are not eligible participants.

Qualifications

• experience in wildlife rehabilitation an asset
• experience in supervising staff or volunteers an asset
• enrollment in a post-secondary institution in veterinary or animal-related studies
• valid driver's license and access to a vehicle (there is no public transit to our facility in North Gower)
• proof of double Covid vaccination, tetanus vaccination within the last 10 years, and rabies vaccination within the past 2 years or proof of adequate titre levels*
• proven verbal and written English communications skills
• exceptional planning, organization, time management and problem-solving skills
• ability to meet tight and evolving deadlines, through the use of strong organizational and time management skills
• exceptional interpersonal and teamwork skills, and the ability to motivate others
• ability to thrive and remain calm in a high-energy, challenging environment
• ability to set priorities and work under pressure
• ability to work independently under little supervision once trained
• ability to meet physical demands of the job, such as heavy lifting and working outdoors in all kinds of weather

Term and Compensation

This is a 35 hr/wk position for 8 to 16 weeks, beginning as early as April 22. Wages are $19.00/hr. Some shift work, weekends and evenings are required. This is an essential on-site position.

A limited number of shared, on-site accommodations are available for out of town applicants.

Application Instructions

To apply, send your resume, cover letter (including your goals if you get the position, and your availability and eligibility under the Canada Summer Jobs program), and two written references by email to info@rideauwildlife.org .

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Although applications are open until March 15th, we will be conducting interviews as we receive applications and may fill positions before the application deadline. We urge potential applicants to submit their applications as early as possible.

Only complete applications will be accepted. We thank all applicants; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please no inquiries.

* Rabies Vaccine Information

The rabies pre-exposure vaccine is a series of three injections given in your arm on days 0, 7 and 21. You are able to start working with rabies-vector species after your 2nd vaccine on day 7. You can obtain a prescription and get your injections from your family doctor, and order the vaccine from any pharmacy. You can also obtain the vaccines from a travel clinic without a doctor’s prescription. Most health plans cover such vaccinations. If not, the cost is about $700. To check if your health plan covers the vaccine, you will need the following Drug Identification Numbers: RabAvert – DIN 02267667; Imovax – DIN 01908286. If you have had the rabies vaccine in the past, you need to provide proof of protective titre levels (blood test for levels of antibodies) every two years, which you can obtain from your family doctor.