About WIRES:

WIRES is Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation and has been rescuing and caring for sick, injured, and orphaned native animals for over 35 years. Our ongoing mission is to actively rehabilitate and preserve Australian wildlife and inspire others to do the same.

WIRES operate a dedicated Wildlife Rescue Office assisting wildlife and the community across Australia 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, providing rescue advice and assistance for over 130,000 animals annually. WIRES Emergency Response Team currently have 8 Wildlife Ambulances and Emergency Responders operating across Greater Sydney, northern NSW, South-East Queensland and Tasmania.

About The Role:

Our Wildlife Emergency Rescue Responders, report to the WIRES Emergency Response Manager, as part of the expanding WIRES Emergency Response Team. The primary focus of this role will be to assist sick, injured and orphaned native animals across the Far South Coast region of NSW. This role involves working closely with our Head Office Emergency Response Team, members of the public and vets, as well as engaging in community wildlife education opportunities. This staff member will have access to a fully equipped wildlife ambulance with emergency rescue equipment and supplies and will be provided with extensive and ongoing training both in wildlife rescue and emergency response.

Essential Skills and Requirements:

• Extensive hands-on experience working with native wildlife. Confident and skilled in handling and rescuing wildlife, particularly those that are sick, stressed and critically injured
• Willingness to attend challenging rescues, often without physical assistance and for all native species including bats, snakes, and large mammals
• Diligence in preparing, cleaning, and maintaining the ambulance and equipment, as well as undertaking regular inventories
• Willing to potentially drive long distances in each shift to attend to critical rescues
• Flexibility around working extra hours, depending on the time of year and the need to resolve urgent rescues
• Committed to upholding a very high standard of animal welfare and care
• Willingness to attend ongoing practical and online WIRES advanced species training courses, as well as training related to emergency response
• Willing to have Rabies vaccinations and ongoing checks of titre levels
• Current first aid training or willingness to complete first aid training
• Willingness to be deployed regionally and to other states or territories to assist in emergency operational activities, at short notice
• Excellent communication and record keeping skills, which includes providing regular reports and doing data entry, with the ability to easily navigate multiple computer platforms
• Adherence to all WHS requirements as well as WIRES policies and procedures
• Ability to work independently, multitask and work well under pressure
• Ability to show initiative and excellent problem-solving skills, including working with the team to proactively resolve problematic situations and challenging rescues
• Strong customer service/focus skills with an ability to adapt to different personality types
• Experience and confidence working with people who may be distressed and anxious
• Medical assessment of fitness for the role
• Willing to be involved in media activities and community engagement opportunities
• Current full driver's license and a good driving record

Highly Desirable:

• Minimum 3 years wildlife handling experience
• Previous snake handling training and experience
• Previous flying-fox training and up to date Rabies vaccinations
• A background in animal care, vet studies, wildlife conservation, animal husbandry or animal welfare
• Current first aid training
• Skills and experience in emergency response operational activities

Please note:

• We are looking for candidates based in the Far South Coast region of NSW
• This is a 12-month contract with a probation period, and the potential for extension
• Preferred candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks including police checks and reference checks
• Applications without a cover letter will not be considered, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

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