Seabird Hospital Manager — Environmental Specialist II

County-of-Volusi; Ponce Inlet (FL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Volusia is seeking an Environmental Specialist II to manage the Mary Keller Seabird Sanctuary at the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet, FL. The role includes overseeing rehabilitation, exhibits, staff and volunteers, and ensuring compliance with state and federal permits.

Evening and weekend work may be required. The ideal candidate will have advanced degrees in a related field and prior bird rehabilitation and supervisory experience, with strong collaboration with veterinarians and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field and bird rehabilitation experience as specified.
• Experience supervising staff and volunteers in an animal care setting is preferred.
• Familiarity with state and federal permit regulations governing wildlife rehabilitation.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Mary Keller Seabird Sanctuary, including rehabilitation, exhibits and administrative work.
• Supervise rehabilitation activities and act as primary animal care provider in the area.
• Oversee volunteers and coordinate recruitment, satisfaction and retention.
• Respond to calls about injured birds and schedule after-hours responses.
• Train MSC staff and volunteers in rehabilitation and safety protocols.
• Collaborate with veterinarians to establish medical protocols and ensure permits are met.
• Maintain medical records for state and federal reporting and oversee lab equipment.
• Prepare budgets, order supplies, and ensure facility maintenance and life-support systems.
• Coordinate public bird releases and engage with media, education and community partners.

Education

Master's degree in Biology/Environmental Science/Forestry/Geology/Hydrology/Chemistry/Environmental Engineering or related field

Bachelor's degree in Biology/Environmental Science/Forestry/Geology/Hydrology/Chemistry/Environmental Engineering or related field plus 2 years of bird rehabilitation experience

High school diploma or GED with 6 years of biology/environmental science-related experience including 2 years in rehabilitating birds

Job description

The County of Volusia is seeking an Environmental Specialist II - Working Title: Seabird Hospital Manager for the Environmental Management division. This position will be located at the Marine Science Center (MSC) in Ponce Inlet, Florida; and will be responsiblefor the administration of the Mary Keller Seabird Sanctuary, including the seabird rehabilitation hospital and resident bird exhibits, supervision of hospital staff and volunteers that provide medical treatment of animal patients in rehabilitation and husbandry procedures. In addition, the candidate ensures that the facility is in compliance with all state and federal permit regulations.

NOTE:The selected candidate must be able to work nights and weekends as needed.

(Note: These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.)

• Manages the Mary Keller Seabird Sanctuary, including rehabilitation, exhibit, and administrative functions.
• Supervises all rehabilitation activities and is the primary animal care provider within their area of responsibility.
• Manages a team of volunteers and works closely with the volunteer coordinator on volunteer recruitment, satisfaction, and retention.
• Responsible for answering and responding to phone calls about injured birds, including protocols, procedures, and scheduling for after-hours response.
• Plans work responsibilities and schedules for subordinates.
• Provides training for MSC animal care staff, subordinates, and volunteers to advance their skills in assisting with rehabilitation and to ensure coverage when needed.
• Works closely with veterinarians on record to establish medical protocols and treatments, review safety protocols, and ensure permit requirements are met and exceeded where possible.
• Ensures that established medical protocols and treatments are followed when providing animal care.
• Responsible for the operation and maintenance of complex diagnostic lab equipment.
• Assists veterinarians in performing necropsies, surgical procedures, and related work.
• Maintains proper quarantine and sterilization techniques.
• Responsible for hospital budget and ordering supplies.
• Responsible for general housekeeping in work area and first report of all physical plant, facilities, exhibits, and rehabilitation life support equipment issues.
• Keeps daily medical records for the monthly and annual reports for the state and federal permits.
• Works with MSC Manager to improve hospital facilities and future planning.
• Coordinates public bird releases and uses the releases as opportunities to build public support for the bird hospital and Marine Science Center.
• Works with the Community Information Division on press releases and media outlets for interviews.
• Works with the Education Department on bird conservation messages and interpretive signage.
• Obtains and renews required state and federal rehabilitation permits.
• Makes public presentations.
• Acts as liaison with state and federal officials.
• May be assigned to other county locations based upon operational needs.
• Attends work on a regular and consistent basis.
• Must adhere to Federal, State, County and Local ordinances.
• Responds to emergency situations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Graduation from high school or possession of GED and six (6) years of experience in Biology, Environmental Science, Forestry, Geology, Hydrology, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, or related field, two (2) of whichshould include experience in rehabilitating birds; or two (2) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist I with the County.

OR

Master’s degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Forestry, Geology, Hydrology, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, or related field.

OR

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Forestry, Geology, Hydrology, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, or related field and two (2) years of experience in rehabilitating birds; or two (2) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist I with the County.

A comparable amount of education, training, and experience may be substituted for the minimum requirements.

Must possess a valid driver’s license at time of hire.

Must obtain a valid Florida driver’s license within 30 days of hire and maintain thereafter.

The preferred candidate,having met the minimum requirements; will have at least two (2) years of experience supervising staff in an animal hospital setting, andhave at least two (2) years of experience in bird rehabilitation to include triage, wound care, administration of medications, knowledge of dietary requirements, and management of life support systems, and have at least two (2) years of experience caring for resident birds on exhibit. Familiar with National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association minimum standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation, Federal and State Permit Regulations that deal with housing and rehabilitating birds, and certification as a Veterinary Technician is a plus.

• Knowledge of state and federal permits required to function as an animal care specialist.
• Knowledge of prescribed medications, doses, calculations, and proper administration techniques.
• Knowledge of the medical protocols, techniques and treatments used for providing proper animal care.
• Knowledge of biology, bird identification, and other natural sciences.
• Ability to obtain blood and/or tissue samples for analysis.
• Ability to properly operate lab equipment, to include microscopes, radiology, blood chemistry analyzer and others that are deemed necessary.
• Ability to properly handle and/or restrain a large variety of animals.
• Ability to work effectively with other county, municipal, state, and federal agencies.
• Ability to manage staff and volunteers in an animal hospital setting.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing to groups and individuals.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions.
• Must be able to relocate to other county locations based upon operational needs.

ADA REQUIREMENTS:

Mental Demands:Ability to read and comprehend technical and professional journals and manuals, reports, blueprints, and legal documents. Ability to write clearly and concisely; memos, letters, reports, and data collection documents. Ability to effectively speak publicly. Ability to perform mathematical functions. Ability to analyze data and develop conclusions.

Physical Demands: Ability to traverse uneven and/or wet ground. Visual acuity (peripheral vision, depth perception) is necessary to operate a motorized vehicle and other assigned equipment. Ability to lift, pull, push, carry up to 70 pounds.

Environmental Demands: Both inside and outside work. Exposure to inclement weather including humidity, heat, rain, cold, lightning, dust, mildew, wind, noise, and sun. May be exposed to odors and toxic fumes. Medical monitoring may be required. Exposure to fresh and salt water, chemicals, mud, insects, toxic plants, snakes, and salt air. May be exposed to zoonotic diseases and x-rays.

Volusia County is a drug free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce. Veterans' preference in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.