Georgia Sea Turtle Center Rehabilitation Technician

Sowela; Georgia; On-site; USD 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vision

Dental

Life Insurance

AD&D

Critical Illness

Disability

FSA

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Parking pass

Amenity pass

GSEPS retirement with 401k

Job summary

Jekyll Island Authority’s Georgia Sea Turtle Center is seeking a Rehabilitation Technician I or II. The role supports daily animal husbandry, life support systems, and medical care for GSTC residents. You will train staff, interns, and volunteers, maintain records, and participate in outreach.

This full-time, on-site position requires flexible hours, weekends, and on-call duties. Background checks and a valid driver’s license are required; a Life Support Operator certification is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology, animal science, animal health, or related field with 3 years of exotic animal experience (II).
• Bachelor’s degree with 2 years exotic animal experience and 1 year husbandry (I).
• High school diploma plus 5 years related experience with 3 years husbandry experience (II).
• Foundational knowledge of Life Support Systems design, installation, and maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Participates in daily animal husbandry and clinical care for all GSTC animals.
• Feeding, medicating, and maintaining quarantine protocols.
• Maintain life support systems and water quality; troubleshoot issues.

Skills

Flexible schedule

Driver's license

Age 18+

Background check

Education

Bachelor’s degree in zoology/biology/animal science/related

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Certified AALSO Life Support Operator

Job description

Job Title: Rehabilitation Technician I or II

Department / Division: Georgia Sea Turtle Center / Amenities

Status: Regular, Full-time Employee

Pay: $18.75 - $21.25 (DOQ)

Reports to: Rehabilitation Program Manager

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Vision
• Dental
• Life Insurance
• Spouse/Child Life Insurance
• AD&D
• Critical Illness
• Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts (health, dependent)
• Paid vacation and sick leave accrual
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Parking pass
• Amenity pass
• Employee Retirement System of Georgia (GSEPS) retirement benefits include a pension plus a matching 401(k)

Closing date: 4:00pm Monday November 16, 2026

*Note: This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

Job Summary:

Under general direction and well-defined objectives and guidelines, the Rehabilitation Technician I or II provides “hands-on” leadership through knowledge of the disciplines of husbandry care and life support systems with a strong understanding of sea turtle rehabilitation. The Rehabilitation Technician I or II is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the pavilion, including training of staff, including interns and volunteers, the duties of animal husbandry, water quality, and life support systems, animal observation, overseeing and maintaining assigned areas (i.e., commissary and pavilion), and ensuring that all records are up to date and complete. Responsibilities include planning and daily/weekly objective settings related to all aspects of animal husbandry care for the GSTC patients/animal residents.

Description:

• Participates enthusiastically in a solid program of daily husbandry and clinical care for all animals maintained by the GSTC.
• Responsibilities include feeding and caring for all animals under the GSTC’s care, medicating animals and maintaining quarantine protocols as directed, cleaning and maintaining exhibits, tanks, life support systems, and husbandry record keeping.
• Responsible for diet formulation and feeding schedules of the animals under the GSTC’s care.
• Responsible for maintaining and safely operating the GSTC rehabilitation pavilion and exhibit Life Support Systems (LSS); troubleshoot and repair life support system-related problems.
• Performs “on-call” duties for rescue response, essential medical treatments, and animal health emergencies 1-2 days/week, and may work extended hours when required by caseload.
• Participates in public outreach and educational programming, including special tours, public and private education programs, and daily visitor interactions/educational interpretation.
• Oversee volunteers and interns working within assigned areas (Pavilion and Commissary).
• May assist hospital technicians with animal stranding protocol and records for the GSTC.
• May participate in veterinary procedures, including necropsies, and support euthanasia when necessary.
• Ensures effective communication with all GSTC staff, the general visiting public, educational groups, researchers, and other agencies.
• Participate in all required and/or assigned training and JIA events including but not limited to Shrimp & Grits Festival and Turtle Crawl.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Applicants who do not meet Rehabilitation Technician II qualifications may be considered for Rehabilitation I; position requirements are listed below. Pay ranges are as follows: Rehabilitation Technician I $18.75-$20.25 (DOQ), Rehabilitation Technician II $20.25-$21.25 (DOQ).

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, and overtime, and be on-call for emergencies.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must successfully complete background check, including criminal and motor vehicle report

Rehabilitation Technician II Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in zoology, biology, animal science, animal health, or related field with three (3) years of experience working with exotic animals, including a minimum of two (2) years husbandry work experience in a zoo, aquarium, or rehabilitation facility; aquatic animal husbandry preferred. OR
• A high school diploma or recognized equivalent plus a minimum of five (5) years of related experience, including a minimum of three (3) years husbandry work experience in a zoo, aquarium, or rehabilitation facility with exotic animal husbandry; aquatic animal husbandry preferred.
• Certified AALSO Life Support Operator with experience in aquarium Life Support Systems design, installation, and maintenance required.
• Understanding of husbandry principles, including record keeping, life-support systems, water quality parameters, disease recognition, nutrition, and exhibit maintenance.

Rehabilitation Technician I Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in zoology, biology, animal science, animal health, or related field with two (2) years of experience working with exotic animals, including a minimum of one (1) year husbandry work experience in a zoo, aquarium, or rehabilitation facility; aquatic animal husbandry preferred. OR
• A high school diploma or recognized equivalent plus a minimum of four (4) years of related experience, including a minimum of one (1) year husbandry work experience in a zoo, aquarium, or rehabilitation facility; aquatic animal husbandry preferred.
• In addition to education, may consider any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the requisite skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform job responsibilities.
• Foundational knowledge in aquarium Life Support Systems design, installation, and maintenance preferred.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:

• Exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds constantly to move objects.
• More than 50% of the typical workday will be spent reaching, lifting and repetitive use of wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Between 25 and 50% of the day will be spent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and pulling.
• Less than 25% of the day will be spent climbing, standing, sitting, walking, and feeling.
• Sensory abilities required include vision, hearing and touching with more than 50% of the day spent communicating, talking, and hearing.
• Must have visual clarity to determine accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of work assigned or to make general observations of facilities or structures.
• Work will be performed both inside and outside. Work is subject to extreme cold and extreme heat and high humidity. Work includes exposure to vibrations, hazards, infectious diseases, and required to wear a respirator.
• Noise level is considered normal to loud, may require shouting.

This description of job responsibilities is intended to reflect the major responsibilities and duties of the job. Still, it is not intended to describe minor duties or other responsibilities that may be assigned occasionally.

Applicants who complete the online application process will receive an email receipt of submission to the email address provided. The applicant may contact Human Resources at 912-635-4024 for verification if the email confirmation is not received. However, we cannot provide information on application status after receipt due to the volume of applicants accepted. Applicants who need assistance to accommodate a disability may request an accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 912-635-4024.

All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted for the next steps in the selection process. Successful completion of background checks is required including credit when applicable to the position. Relocation expenses are not authorized; applicants should consider this when applying.

Jekyll Island Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Authority supports equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. The Jekyll Island Authority is a Drug-Free workplace.