Shift Leader Job Description

The Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (RVWS) is a registered charity located between North Gower, Ontario. RVWS rehabilitates about 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 rehabilitation shift leaders 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

Monitor animal health

  • monitor animal health
  • update medical, diet and other treatment plans
  • ensure treatment plans are being administered properly
  • respond to animal emergencies
  • communicate issues or concerns to supervisors

Provide advanced animal care

  • formula-feed animals and provide, food, water
  • clean caging and facilities
  • admit and assess new cases
  • develop treatment plans for new patients
  • administer medications and other treatments
  • attend to sick or priority cases
  • assist at veterinary appointments
  • assist in providing animal care and cleaning as required

Monitor clients and inquiries

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

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

  • at least three months experience in wildlife rehabilitation preferred
  • valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle (there is no public transit to our facility in North Gower)
  • proof of tetanus vaccination within the last 10 years, and rabies vaccination within the past 2 years or proof of adequate titre levels*
  • enrollment in a post-secondary institution in veterinary or animal-related studies preferred
  • proven verbal and written English communications skills
  • exceptional planning, organization, time management and problem-solving 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 meet physical demands of the job, such as heavy lifting and working outdoors in all kinds of weather

Term and Compensation

This is a 40 hr/wk position from 8-16 weeks, beginning as early as April 22. Wages are $18.00/hr. Some shift work, weekends and evenings are required. This is an essential on-site position.

Application Instructions

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

* 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.