Zoo Society Billable 1 - Intern - Zoo Rehab - TE

City of Abilene • Abilene, TX

1d

About The Position

Under immediate supervision of the Veterinarians and/or the Zookeeper I/II/III – Avian Rehab, the Intern – Zoo Rehab - Temporary will learn to perform a variety of duties involved in the care and well-being of bird rehabilitation patients. Such duties will include learning to maintain medical and husbandry records, preparing diets for a variety of species, building habitats for a variety of species, and communicating with the public regarding all aspects of Bird Rehabilitation. This position’s purpose is to prepare an intern for a job as a rehabilitator. Employees have access to controlled substances in the performance of their job duties. Therefore, employees are required to not have any previous felony convictions related to a controlled substance.

Requirements

• Knowledge of safe driving principles and practices.
• Knowledge of general animal care and behavior.
• Knowledge of hazards and inherent dangers involved in working with zoo animals.
• Skill to operate a food grinder, lawn mower, and incubator.
• Skill to safely operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to learn the diet and nutritional requirements of various birds.
• Ability to learn to respond to an animal or public related emergency to prevent injury.
• Ability to learn to open, enter, exit, and secure animal enclosures, and service areas.
• Ability to learn to net, capture and/or restrain animals of extreme size, strength, and ability.
• Ability to learn to handle, examine, and move without harming sick, injured, and/or struggling small animals.
• Ability to follow and carry out specific oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
• Ability to follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
• Ability to perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
• A High School Diploma or a GED is required.
• A valid Driver’s License, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.
• Bloodborne Pathogens training and HazCom training are required within sixty (60) days of employment.
• Exposure to cold, heat, outdoors, and chemicals, ability to travel to different sites.
• Requires the ability to work a flexible work schedule that includes nights, holidays, and weekends.
• Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Learn proper handling and capture of a variety of bird species and how to enter enclosures with a wild bird.
• Become proficient in the basic husbandry for a variety of bird species.
• Assist with the routine feeding, diet prep, and daily care of the wild Bird Rehabilitation.
• Prepare Bird Rehabilitation diets each day using various grains, produce, bugs, whole prey items, live prey items, fish, and meat. This will include using knives.
• Help maintain all indoor and outdoor facilities at the Bird Rehabilitation Center by cleaning, disinfecting, and performing general maintenance as needed.
• Assist with medical exams and triage care of Bird Rehabilitation patients. This may include medication or fluid administration, wound management, bandage application, and oxygen administration.
• Learn to respond to an animal emergency in a calm manner and prevent injury to self or others.
• Accession Bird Rehabilitation patients from the public and maintain medical records according to policies, including daily husbandry logs, medical records, and prescription logs.
• Identify and communicate concerns (medical or otherwise) to the Veterinarians or other management in a timely manner.
• Operate a City vehicle and other equipment on and off zoo grounds.
• Assist the Zookeeper I/II/III – Avian Rehab and Veterinary Technicians to provide husbandry to any quarantined or hospitalized patients.
• Complete an intern project while employed and present a PowerPoint presentation at the end of the internship.
• Perform other job related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: High school or GED