Quoin Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre (QITRC) is a privately owned non-profit organisation that is committed to the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and injured sea turtles.

QITRC opened in March 2012 and operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year as a sea turtle hospital environment. The centre has 6 ICU tanks, a rehabilitation pool and a treatment room to support the recovery and rehabilitation of up to 15 sick or injured sea turtles at a time. With a steady success rate of 72%, over 250 sea turtles have been successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild. QITRC mostly cares for Green Turtles, but also Hawksbill Turtles, Flatback Turtles and Loggerhead Turtles.

The turtle centre is based on Quoin Island, on a 10-hectare property in the Quoin Island Retreat (retreat is not open to the public), situated only 5 km from the Gladstone Harbour on Central QLD coast. We are completely self sufficient and generate our own power and make our own water.

We are seeking a hardworking and dedicated Sea Turtle Carer & Island Caretaker to join our team, on a fulltime basis.

 

About the role:

The primary responsibility of this role is to provide the highest standard of animal care for our rescued sea turtles and to maintain the facility.

Key responsibilities include:

• Daily food preparation.
• Cleaning tanks/enclosures and facility.
• Feeding/caring for sea turtles and resident animals (wallabies, chickens and peacock).
• Coordinating rescues and organising logistics.
• All aspects of general animal husbandry.
• Maintenance task to operate the turtle rehabilitation facility (operating pool pump, sea pump, heat pump, desalination plant and sewerage treatment plant, as well as daily machine checks for generators and solar plant).
• General property maintenance (cleaning, mowing, raking, sweeping, swimming pool maintenance etc.).
• Daily supervising of 1 to 3 live-in volunteers.
• Weekly supervising of 3 to 4 community volunteers which come over on Saturday mornings to assist in the caring duties.

 

About you:

You have a keen interest in marine wildlife and native animals. Animal husbandry qualifications are not essential but would be well regarded.

Flexibility with working hours across a 7-day roster is essential, as QITRC is a 365-days-a-year operation.

This is a physically demanding role that involves animal husbandry tasks and manual handling; therefore, a high level of energy and physical fitness is required to perform tasks and physically demanding work.

This position would suit a fit and energetic individual, a couple, or retired couple (1 FTE available) who are willing to complete daily duties as if it was their own home/property, whilst working hard to care for animals and enjoying the peaceful surrounds of an island retreat.

 

Essential Skills, Experience and Character Traits:

• Genuine love for and interest in animals.
• Current QLD Boat license or the willingness to obtain one.
• Current manual 'C' class QLD driver's licence.
• Health conscious and fit. Possess a good level of physical fitness to perform physically demanding work.
• Ability to lift and handle animals and products (must be able to lift and carry 20kg).
• Ability to effectively and safely use equipment, machinery and tools required to perform animal husbandry and maintenance tasks.
• Previous experience in performing basic maintenance tasks incidental to the role.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a proactive approach to providing regular feedback.
• Ability to follow instructions and take direction from the QITRC Manager.
• Great team player, with demonstrated skills in working autonomously.
• Possess good leadership skills, able to supervise and give direction to the live-in volunteers and Saturday volunteers.
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively in an environment with competing demands and multiple objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to remain self-motivated, positive, and enthusiastic in the workplace.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with a diverse range of people and cultures.
• Knowledge of hygiene and safety standards, WH&S regulations, and principles.
• Minimum commitment of 12 months.

 

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Previous hands-on experience working with Australian wildlife.
• Vet nursing certificate.
• Degree in Marine Biology/Marine Science/Zoology/Animal Behaviour.
• Demonstrated involvement and understanding of wildlife welfare and conservation.
• Knowledge of generators, pool pumps, sewerage treatment plant and desalination plants.

 

Interested? Please only submit your application if the following applies to you:

• You are enthusiastic and energetic.
• You have common sense, great work ethics and absolutely love animals.
• You are patient and caring.
• You have excellent skills in the use of the English language (speaking, listening, writing, reading).
• You understand that working with animals is not glamourous and a large amount of time is spent prepping their food and cleaning up after them.
• You have great team spirit and genuinely care about the outcome of the rehab process of the animals.
• You are realistic and understand that incoming patients and medical treatment dictate work hours, and when time off can be taken.
• You are willing to jump in and reschedule time off and are flexible with hours and won't let the animals and your team down.
• You are motivated to complete daily duties as if it was your own home/property.

 

In return we will offer:

• Award rates of pay + accommodation board and lodging (valued at $25,000 per annum).
• Furnished self-contained accommodation with ensuite.
• Internet, gas, electricity and water.
• Weekly food allowance.
• Work phone and laptop.
• A large communal area with TV/Netflix/Apple TV, and ping pong table and pool table.
• Native Australian wildlife carer training (sea turtles and wallabies).
• Once in a lifetime opportunity to work with sick and injured animals on a remote island in Central Queensland

 

Conditions:

• Only Australian residents and people with a current visa to stay and work in Australia will be considered.
• This is a peaceful island retreat - you will be living remotely with 1 to 3 live-in volunteers which you will be supervising (no shops, restaurant or nightlife).
• No pets allowed.
• Not suitable for children.
• Non-smoking only (safety - remote island in dry environment).

 

How to apply:

Send the following to Kim van Oudheusden:

• a current CV;
• a cover letter addressing all essential skills, experience and character traits;
• a photo as reference of yourself;
• contact phone numbers and email addresses for 2 references.

 

Applicants who do not follow the above application instructions/meet the requirements will not be considered.

• Applicants will be assessed as they are received and the successful applicant may be selected prior to the closing date.
• No telephone applicants or requests will be taken until the shortlist process has been completed.
• Only successful applicants will be notified.

You can find more information about our centre here: https://www.facebook.com/quointurtles.

 

Please confirm closing dates at original source link and ensure you take note of appropriate time zones for position closing times.  Please note, Veterinarycareers.com.au takes no responsibility for closing dates or removal of job positions advertised.

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