Avian Care Technician (seasonal)

About the position

The Avian Care Technician is responsible for various aspects of hospital operations, including patient care, housekeeping tasks, training new volunteers and interns, and record keeping.  The Avian Care Technician must be able to juggle a multitude of tasks with energy, accuracy, professionalism, flexibility, and a sense of humor. This position reports to the director and works with the Animal Care Assistant, volunteers, interns, partner organizations and the general public. A passion for songbirds, conservation, and the environment is essential.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

• Care for injured and orphaned songbirds, including hand-feeding dozens of baby birds every 30-45 minutes, diet preparation, housing set-up and maintenance, and enrichment
• Perform patient intake exams, stabilization, initial care
• Prepare, accurately calculate dosages and administer medications
• Perform safe capture, handling and restraint of songbirds
• Through hands-on participation and supervision of volunteers and interns, ensure timely completion of daily housekeeping tasks including dishes, laundry, sweeping, mopping, cleaning and disinfecting housing, restocking supplies, caring for feeder insects
• Train new volunteers and interns on daily housekeeping tasks, and ensure tasks are completed accurately
• Maintain cleanliness & organization of the facility at all times
• Follow hospital and biosecurity procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients and team members
• Assist with transport and release of birds as needed
• As needed, assist members of the public seeking advice about or help with native songbirds
• Maintain patient records and enter data in medical database
• Comply with all permit conditions of California Department of Fish and Wildlife and US Fish & Wildlife Service
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Minimum one year of experience working in a licensed wildlife hospital, veterinary clinic, or related field, ideally working hands-on with songbirds.  Volunteering or comparable experience in other wildlife-related work or study will be considered, if applicable to this position
• Able to work calmly and efficiently in busy, high-intensity situations
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position in a physically and emotionally demanding environment, maintaining attention to detail, accuracy, and sustained performance throughout scheduled shifts
• Experience training and supervising volunteers, preferably in an animal care setting
• Knowledge of natural history, particularly of local native songbirds
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions
• Computer literacy & ability to learn our medical database system
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Basic mathematical skills and the ability to accurately work with units of weight, volume, and concentration
• Some college with a background in wildlife biology or related animal science is desirable
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must have current valid driver’s license, excellent driving record, reliable vehicle and current vehicle insurance
• Current tetanus and covid vaccines required, and health insurance strongly recommended
• Upon hire, must pass a background check

Physical Demands

The physical demands described herein represent essential components of the job of working in wildlife rehabilitation. They include but are not limited to the following: able to lift or move up to 50 lbs, stand on a concrete floor for up to 8 hours a day; and kneel, crouch, stoop, crawl and reach to arm’s length.  Must have excellent vision and possess physical dexterity and coordination to use hands and fingers to handle, feel and feed tiny fragile patients as small as 2-3 grams. While performing the tasks listed elsewhere in this document, the incumbent is routinely exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, allergens such as dust and dander, zoonotic diseases, frightened animals, inclement weather conditions, and noise.

Schedule

The schedule for this position begins no later than the first week of May 2026 and concludes no later than the first week of August 2026.  This position is 5 days/32-40 per week.  Shifts are 8 hours and include weekends, holidays, and some evenings.  Due to the nature of our work, no planned time off for the duration of the position.  Some flexibility for start date and initial schedule will be considered for the right candidate and students.

About Us

Native Songbird Care & jobshiringnearme.org is a non-profit state and federally permitted wildlife hospital.  We are dedicated to the conservation of native songbirds through rehabilitation and release back to the wild, educational outreach, and community engagement.