Work Status: Full-Time Contract ending October 31, 2023              

Reports to: Wildlife Rescue Manager                       

Location: Downsview Park and field work across the GTA

Start Date: Immediate                                    

Compensation: $16 per hour or commensurate with experience   

About Toronto Wildlife Centre:

Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC) is a registered charity that provides rescue, medical care and rehabilitation to sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife as well as public education about wildlife issues. TWC is the busiest wildlife centre in Canada, admitting approximately 6,000 patients annually, with more than 300 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians represented. For more information, please visit our website: www.torontowildlifecentre.com

Job Summary:

Out on the frontlines, the Wildlife Rescue Team Member deals with the difficult and often dangerous wildlife situations that can’t be handled by members of the public. Along with carrying out rescues, the Wildlife Rescue Team Member will also assist with releasing patients that have been rehabilitated.

Accountabilities:

• Provides a positive, professional, and safe working environment at all times
• Participates in challenging or complex rescues
• Assesses situations in the field for logistics and safety (wildlife and humans)
• Documents all appropriate information on situations
• Transports patients between TWC’s Downsview and Rouge Park locations as needed
• Acts as a TWC and wildlife ambassador when in the field
• Assists with photo and video documentation of rescues and releases as needed
• Assists with maintenance and repair of rescue equipment as needed
• Maintains compliance with all company policies and procedures
• Assists with supervision and training of volunteers
• Assists with patients releases post rehabilitation as needed
• Performs related duties as assigned by supervisor

Job Qualifications:

Experience:

• Professional experience within a licensed wildlife rescue centre or similar animal facility
• Experience working with native wildlife in a rehabilitation setting is preferred
• Other animal handling/rescue experience, specifically with exotic species an asset
• Experience using hand and power tools
• Experience dismantling and reconstructing structures that wildlife may have become caught / trapped in, such as fireplaces or exhaust fans, ideal but not required

Education:

• Post-secondary education in a related field an asset

Competencies:

• Passion for Toronto Wildlife Centre’s mission with a genuine concern for and understanding of wildlife and environmental issues and sensitive to the special needs of wild animals in captivity
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to influence with integrity and work collaboratively across the organization and with external parties
• Ability to professionally present and support TWC’s goals, beliefs and policies to the TWC team, the public, other organizations, and the media
• Strong knowledge of Southern Ontario wildlife identification, natural history, and behaviour
• Comfortable working with a wide variety of wild species
• Must be rabies vaccinated and have proof of current titre at a protective level
• Motivated self-starter, with ability to prioritize and manage competing priorities
• Flexible and adaptable to a changing and dynamic work environment
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail in both average and stressful conditions with the ability to maintain focused on the task at hand among crowds
• Understanding of basic mechanical principles
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with focus on clear, concise messaging
• Must hold a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record

Physical Requirements:

• Able to lift, bend, carry, push, and/or pull heavy to moderately heavy objects and materials
• Some combination of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling
• Requires sufficient strength and flexibility to physically restrain wild patients, which sometimes requires awkward positions
• Requires the ability to work in all weather conditions
• Requires the ability to work with heights, tight spaces, water, and ladder use
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 pounds and perform other strenuous activities

Working Conditions:

• Long shifts (4 x 10 hour days), rotating weekends and some evenings
• Fast-paced hospital environment at the centre, with equipment noise and the possibility of frequent interruptions
• This position predominantly requires working outside (throughout the GTA and occasionally beyond) in all types of weather and conditions, including scaling heights, overcoming obstacles, and enduring potentially high-risk conditions
• Required to walk on concrete floors in the building and uneven ground outside in a fast-paced, physically active role
• Frequently required to use personal protective equipment
• This position requires working with wild animals, including rabies vector species
• This position requires working with materials and animals that many trigger allergic reactions

Assets:

• Preference may be given to candidates with a personal vehicle