VOLUNTEERS
Positions
The Wildlife Rescue Association is so much more than an animal rehabilitation facility; therefore volunteers are needed in the many different areas of the organization. We encourage you to consider your own skill set, connections and previous experience when choosing a volunteer position at WRA.
Animal Care
This position involves the care of our wildlife patients in the hospital portion of the site. Extensive training is provided. Must be able to commit 4 hours per week over a 3-month period, have an up-to-date tetanus vaccination and be able to work as part of a team.
There is currently a waiting list for new volunteers. Volunteer shifts will not be available until September 2011.
Purpose: Wildlife Care Volunteers perform much of the essential daily animal care and maintenance that occurs in Wildlife Rescue's care facility. These volunteers, together with Care Centre staff, work to keep the centre in operation 365 days a year.
Responsibilities:
- Job duties are performed on site in the care centre
- Assisting staff with care and maintenance of wildlife patients
- Preparing housing for new admissions and pre-release cases
- Preparing diets and feedings
- Disinfecting equipment
- Caring for the mealworm colonies
- Cleaning cages and aviaries
- Setting up habitats for both indoor and outdoor animals
- Feeding nestling and fledgling birds
- Responding on an emergency basis in the event of an oil spill
Skills Required:
- Reliability
- Good physical stamina and health
- Patience and the ability to work alone or in a group
- Good communication skills
- Comfortable around small birds and mammals
- Previous animal handling experience is an asset
Training Provided:
- To participate in this program, a volunteer must attend the Volunteer Information Session, a group interview and the Basic Skills Training Workshop
- Volunteers are continually trained by staff and senior volunteers on their shifts, and required training workshops are held frequently
- Specific training, such as oil-spill workshops, are held when required
Benefits:
- The opportunity to work as part of a team assisting local wildlife
- Increased knowledge of local species identification and ecology
- Chance to expand knowledge and skills in animal care
- Familiarization with other wildlife-related groups in the area
Time Requirement:
- Volunteers are expected to work four hours a week, for a minimum of three months
Supervisor:
- Wildlife Care Volunteers, while on their shifts, will be supervised by, and report to, the senior care staff at the facility.
For a Care Centre Volunteer application please click here: Care Centre Volunteer Application Form
Transportation Volunteer
Each year, on-call transportation volunteers deliver over 700 patients to WRA. We are especially reliant on these volunteers during our busy spring and summer months. If you have access to a vehicle, have a valid BC driver's license and live in the Lower Mainland, you can help! Volunteers drive to locations throughout the Lower Mainland to pick up injured wildlife that have been confined, and deliver them to our facility located on Burnaby Lake. Volunteers have a choice of communities and the times they wish to be available.
Purpose: The Transportation Volunteer provides transportation of injured wildlife for members of the public who do not have the ability to bring the animal in to the facility. This interaction with the public is intended to increase public awareness about local wildlife and the services that Wildlife Rescue provides.
Qualifications:
- Valid BC drivers license
- Use of own vehicle
Responsibilities:
- Job duties are performed both on and off site
- Off site job responsibilities include transportation of wildlife to the Care Centre and raising public awareness by providing pamphlets and other literature
- On site job responsibilities include assisting staff and Care Centre volunteers in completing the wildlife admission form
Skills Required:
- Reliability
- A good ability to communicate with the public
- Basic knowledge of local wildlife
- Previous animal handling experience an asset
- Basic knowledge of the lower mainland geography and major streets
- A valid B.C. driver's license and own transportation
Benefits:
- Increased knowledge about local wildlife
- Chance to expand knowledge and skills in animal care, animal handling and public relations
- The opportunity to work as part of an emergency response team for injured wildlife
Time Requirement:
Supervisor:
- The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for the overall volunteer program
- Transportation Volunteers will report to the Care Center staff at the facility
For a Transportation Volunteer application please click here:Transport Application Form
Outreach Education Volunteer
WRA not only treats injured wildlife, but also strives to educate the public about urban wildlife in hopes of preventing wildlife injuries caused by unnecessary human interaction. Education volunteers assist our Education Coordinator by attending community events in which information about WRA and local wildlife is provided to the public.
Purpose:
Outreach Education Volunteers help to educate the public about the WRA organization and urban wildlife at various family events, and our WRA Summer Daycamps
Qualifications:
- Criminal Record Check (when working with children)
Responsibilities:
-
Attending local public events (off-site)
- Transport display materials to and from various events (off-site)
- Set up and take down display materials, including display boards, hand-outs, and sometimes a folding table and pop-up tent
- Provide friendly advice about wildlife and providing information about WRA's programs and services
Skills Required:
- Reliability and punctuality
- A good ability to communicate with the public (including children)
- Basic knowledge of local wildlife
- The ability to work alone or in small groups
- A valid B.C. driver's license and own transportation
Benefits:
Training Provided:
To participate in this program, a volunteer must attend the Volunteer Information Session and a 2-hour Outreach Education Orientation. Volunteers will be placed with other experienced Outreach Volunteers during their first shift.
Time Requirement:
- Volunteers are expected to commit to three events in two months
- Event shifts can vary from 2 – 5 hours depending on the number of volunteers and the type of event
Supervisor:
- The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for the overall volunteer program
- Transportation Volunteers will report to the Care Center staff at the facility
To apply for Outreach Education Volunteering, please click here: Care Centre Volunteer Application Form (select Animal Care in desired position, and type "Outreach Education" in comments section)
