Rehabilitation Technician I or II

Jekyll Island, Georgia Vacation, Conservation, and Education Destination; United States; On-site; USD 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vision

Dental

Life Insurance

Spouse/Child Life Insurance

AD&D

Critical Illness

Disability

Flexible Spending Accounts (health, mo

Paid vacation and sick leave accrual

12 Paid Holidays

Parking pass

Amenity pass

GSEPS Retirement benefits (pension + 4

Job summary

Jekyll Island Authority seeks a Rehabilitation Technician I or II to lead daily animal husbandry and life-support operations at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. You will train staff, interns and volunteers, oversee pavilion and exhibits, and ensure accurate records and water quality management.

Role includes on-call duties, potential extended hours, and involvement in educational programs and public tours as part of a broader stewardship of sea turtle rehabilitation and conservation.

Qualifications

• Flexible schedule including weekends, holidays and overtime.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• On-call for emergencies as needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on leadership in animal husbandry and life support systems.
• Train staff, interns and volunteers; maintain records up to date.
• Oversee pavilion and commissary operations; monitor water quality.
• Plan daily/weekly objectives for animal care and rehabilitation.
• Participate in rescue response and veterinary procedures as needed.
• Engage in public outreach and educational programming.

Skills

Flexible schedule

Valid driver's license

On-call emergencies

Education

Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology, animal science, or related field

High school diploma or equivalent + 5 years related experience

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

Retirement:

• Employee Retirement System of Georgia (GSEPS) Retirement benefits include a pension plus a matching 401(k)

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

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.

Jekyll Island is dedicated to maintaining the delicate balance between nature and humankind through conservation, education, and preservation. Surrounded by salt marshes, expansive oceanfront, and ancient maritime forests, it is situated within the chain of the Golden Isles and just a few miles from St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Brunswick. As a State Park, Jekyll Island is a coastal haven where nature and humans peacefully co‑exist.

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 licence.
• 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.

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

All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. 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 is a Drug‑Free workplace.