Conservation and Recovery Specialist

Job Title: Conservation and Recovery Specialist
Reports To: Lead Conservation and Recovery Specialist
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Effective Date: January 2 2025

White Oak conserves and sustains some of the earths rarest wild animals through innovative training research education and conservation breeding programs that contribute to the survival of wildlife in nature. The conservation programs span 600 acres along the St. Marys River in northeast Florida surrounded by 17000 acres of mixed forest and wetlands that make up the beautiful White Oak property. Founded in 1982 White Oak leads professional efforts to improve veterinary care develop holistic animal management techniques and better understand the biology of critically endangered species by providing excellent care and managing conservation programs for over 30 species of imperiled wildlife in large naturalistic habitats.

Position Purpose:

The Conservation and Recovery Specialist will work as part of the White Oak team to maintain exceptional standards of animal care and facility management focusing on White Oaks species recovery programs. The goal is to support and expand these programs to achieve conservation targets including assisting with restoration of populations such as the whooping crane Mississippi sandhill crane Florida grasshopper sparrow and American red wolf through rearing and release initiatives. While the primary focus of this position is avian recovery programs it also involves work with other taxa including carnivores and potentially amphibians. Experience with passerines and/or canids is preferred.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

The essential duties and responsibilities of this position include the following. Other duties may be assigned and some duties may be shared with other personnel or may not be assigned at all.
Participate in the daily care of the animals in designated area to include: preparing diets washing dishes feeding cleaning medicating observing training and enrichment activities;
Participate with animal restraint incubation/hatching hand-rearing when appropriate animal transfers introductions operant conditioning; area research projects; assisted reproduction in cranes; passerine mist-netting.
Foster regular department delivery of guest engagement programs featuring wildlife populations;
Assist veterinarian staff with animal care procedures treatment and sample collection as directed by area supervisor;
Notify supervisor of facility maintenance needs supplies and animal feed needed in the area;
Assist with minor animal care facilities maintenance including: mowing weed eating pressure washing dirt and substrate work and limb pick up and minor repairs;
Report facility and equipment care needs;
Maintain meticulous records and reports related to wildlife;
Must accurately collect maintain organize and assemble data and spreadsheets for analysis on a regular basis;
Maintain clean and organize work and break areas food storage and prep areas vehicles and equipment;
Significant camera trap operation maintenance and review;
Responsible for the daily care of several invertebrate prey species and for the collection of wild invertebrate prey species;
Observe and ensure area safety protocol safe vehicle and equipment operation;
Pest management activities;
Assist with intern training mentoring and coaching;
Participate with trainings including animal husbandry and management ZIMS record keeping research conservation and recovery projects and education projects;
Participate in prescribed fire within and amongst animal habitats;
Championing organizational efforts in diversity equity inclusion access and belonging;
Perform other duties that are not specifically identified above but are required to care for White Oaks wildlife populations and programs.

Qualifications:

High School Diploma/GED required Bachelors degree preferred
One year of animal/wildlife experience required
Species conservation program experience preferred
Strong oral and written communication and
Relevant basic computer skills
Strong organizational skills
Experience operating small equipment and farm machinery desired mowers weed-eaters pressure washer tractor or skid steer loader towing utility/stock trailers
Flexible and adaptable
Highly collaborative and team-oriented
Passion for White Oaks mission and genuine appreciation for wildlife and conservation
The ideal team player will:
o be resilient show initiative and demonstrate a healthy commitment to going above and beyond;
o focus on team success and define success collaboratively versus individually;
o work with colleagues in mind be a good listener and be willing to seek information and assistance when necessary.

Special Working Conditions:

Must have valid drivers license
Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift push pull carry or otherwise move objects climb a 5-foot ladder and work outdoors in all conditions
Must be able to work holidays nights and weekends when required.

White Oak Conservation is committed to creating an environment where diverse perspectives are welcome and to nurturing a culture where everyone feels valued and appreciated. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender race color age national origin religion disability marital status sexual orientation gender identity/expression citizenship pregnancy or maternity veteran status or any other status protected by applicable national federal state or local law.