Summer jobs & Student jobs

Position: Volunteer Coordinator
Type: age 30 & under / summer
Organization: Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

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 in North Gower, Ontario. RVWS rehabilitates up to 1,000 injured and orphaned wild mammals and reptiles every year, 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

Coordinate in-centre volunteer program

• contribute to animal care
• monitor the organization’s volunteer needs
• coordinate the recruitment, screening and selection of animal care and other volunteers
• maintain volunteer resources, position descriptions and manuals
• coordinate volunteer scheduling
• train and mentor staff and volunteers through group and individual sessions
• conduct volunteer reviews and feedback
• coordinate volunteer communications and inquiries
• coordinate and improve volunteer retention through recognition, events, conflict resolution, regular communications and relationship building
• research and coordinate community, group and business volunteer opportunities
• evaluate the volunteer program, and prepare statistics and reports
• coordinate volunteer email, database and records

Coordinate volunteer foster program

• monitor/track animals available for foster
• coordinate the recruitment, screening and selection of foster volunteers
• train fosters and provide ongoing support
• coordinate and conduct foster site visits
• transport animals, caging and supplies to fosters as required
• maintain foster records and supplies inventory

Animal Care

• monitor animal health
• respond to animal emergencies
• administer medications and other treatments
• attend to sick or priority cases
• regularly take and upload photos and videos of wildlife patients

Other related duties

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
• enrollment in a post-secondary institution in veterinary or animal-related studies
• experience in public speaking and presenting to groups
• previous training or leadership experience
• experience in supervising staff or volunteers an asset
• 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, organizing 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 35-40 hr/wk position to begin as early as April 22 for 8 to 16 weeks. 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.