Think Wild is a non-profit wildlife hospital and conservation center located in Bend, Oregon. Our mission is to inspire the high desert community to care for and protect native wildlife through education, conservation, and rescue/rehabilitation. Major programs include the wildlife hospital, education and outreach and conservation work including wildlife habitat and conflict mitigation services.

Think Wild is seeking a contractor or permanent part-time (up to 30 hours/week) Wildlife Services Technician. This position makes their own schedule and requires flexibility, with occasional availability on weekends and early mornings and late nights (due to wildlife behavior). Can work from home, Think Wild facility, or our office space, but must be based in Central Oregon. Compensation is DOE and ranges between $18 – $23 per hour.

This position will lead the management and execution of Think Wild’s nascent program to provide wildlife conflict mitigation and habitat services to Central and parts of Eastern Oregon. The Wildlife Services Technician will receive and respond to requests for wildlife conflict mitigation and habitat promotion services, including exclusion, nest box construction and installation, native planting, wildlife reuniting, fencing, eviction, habitat modification and clean-up, and general advising.

Experience and interest in construction, outdoor labor, and wildlife natural history and habitat is required. There is significant opportunity for growth depending on the success of the program. The position will report to the Executive Director and work closely with both Think Wild’s Director of Wildlife Rehabilitation and Beaver Works Oregon Program Manager.

Think Wild is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate based on race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity or expression, religion, ability, or national origin.

Responsibilities

• Receive and respond to requests for humane wildlife conflict mitigation services, including exclusion, reuniting, fencing, eviction, habitat modification and clean-up, and general advising
• Receive and respond to requests for wildlife habitat support and promotion, including nest box and perch construction and installation, and other projects as necessary
• In coordination with Beaver Works Oregon, support beaver habitat restoration and coexistence projects in designated riparian areas to promote beaver success, including planting, seeding, fencing and installing beaver dam analogs (BDAs)
• Conduct initial phone interviews, site visits and implementation projects for wildlife services
• Work with Director of Wildlife Rehabilitation to ensure animal welfare and encourage positive outcomes for reuniting and renesting cases
• Coordinate and manage volunteers necessary for projects
• Follow protocols for call taking, job booking, servicing, invoicing, follow-up, and data tracking
• Manage equipment rental, purchasing, care and inventory
• Obtain necessary certifications and participate in trainings led by the National Wildlife Operators Association, Humane Society of the United States, and other related organizations
• Identify potential partners and referees for services
• Review and compare regional competitors for pricing and scope of services
• Identify and follow-up on potential leads
• Prepare and deliver monthly status reports to Executive Director
• Other duties as needed

Experience & Qualifications

• Construction, carpentry, landscaping, pest control, or related experience
• Experience and comfort with construction and outdoor labor including planting trees and native plants, installing fencing, working on roofs and ladders, digging, using power tools, sawing, weeding, etc.
• Must be able to lift and carry heavy ladders, must be comfortable with heights and being on roofs, and able to access small attics and crawlspaces under homes
• A strong work ethic and great people skills are required
• Passion and interest in wildlife and environmental conservation
• Ability to obtain Wildlife Control Operator certification and rabies vaccination
• Training will be provided, but experience and/or comfort with handling wildlife is preferred
• Outdoor field work experience related to wildlife or environmental conservation preferred
• Knowledge of central Oregon wildlife and ecology is preferred
• Enjoy working outdoors and do not mind rolling up your sleeves and getting dirty
• Motivated, energetic, creative and have attention-to detail with outstanding communication skills and a “yes” approach to customer service
• A “clean” driving record is required and current driver’s license