Wildlife Response and Preparedness Specialist

Senior Specialist for Wildlife Response & Preparedness

Reports to:

Senior Director of Response Services

Status:
Part-time, non-exempt (Full-time considered for the right candidate)

International Bird Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that specializes in the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured, and contaminated aquatic birds. Our mission is to inspire people to act towards balance with the natural world by rescuing waterbirds in crisis. Between our two wildlife centers in San Pedro and Fairfield, CA, we treat approximately 3,000 patients per year.

To support, represent, and increase the organization’s Response & Preparedness Services profile and capabilities, and provide on‑call support in the event of a wildlife emergency response. A successful candidate has the potential to grow this position into a regular employee role.

• Account Management and Engagement:
• Represents International Bird Rescue to industry, trustees, current and future retainer holders and other potential clients by attending periodic meetings, exercises, conferences and other in‑person or virtual opportunities.
• Works closely with management staff to support identification of new business opportunities, within the oil industry sector as well as outside of it.
• Assists in identifying potential new responders.
• Exhibits a strong commitment to safety in all actions (including biosecurity and exposure control protocols during preparedness activities and emergency response, including required use of PPE).
• Exercise sound professional judgment in identifying safety risks, escalating concerns appropriately, and supporting safe work practices for staff, volunteers, and partners during response operations.
• Participate in preparedness activities including training, equipment readiness, drills, and protocol development to support effective response operations.
• Maintains readiness and makes every reasonable effort to be available for emergency responses on limited notice.
• Maintains the ability and willingness to perform core field response functions during wildlife emergencies, which may include search and rescue, hazing and deterrence, field stabilization, and initial medical stabilization and triage prior to arrival of additional response personnel.
• Regional Expertise:
• Maintains situational awareness of significant regional and global incidents relevant to wildlife response and preparedness and communicates relevant events to management.
• Attends local and regional regulatory and industry events, area committee meetings, and the like.
• Other tasks as needed in support of Response Services.

• Lead by example;
  Builds good rapport with team members and builds team morale
• Crisis preparedness:
  Ready to lead a small team during a spill as a Coordinator (or willing to learn over the course of the first six months)
• Able and willing to obtain HAZWOPER 24‑hr, TWIC card, and other requirements of global wildlife emergency response.
• Demonstrates leadership through proactive participation in public events, press visits, and the like, or during extended periods such as emergency responses
• Champions continuous development within their area of expertise. Anticipates emerging needs and introduces creative solutions that can be scaled. Actively builds team capacity for adaptive problem‑solving.
• Emerging leader who fosters trust and collaboration. Encourages colleagues’ growth through example and constructive feedback. Helps resolve conflicts with empathy and fairness, earning respect across the team.
• Anticipates obstacles to collaboration and works to prevent them. Encourages teamwork across departments by modeling supportive behaviour. Helps foster morale by addressing friction with respect and empathy.
• Must have a valid driver’s licence.
• Has (or is willing to attain) knowledge of applicable regulations in target areas and regions.
• Works well independently and in collaboration.
• Ability to manage a heavy workload within reasonably established time frames, including during emergency response situations.
• Works efficiently and calmly under stressful situations.
• Prior experience required with wildlife, emergency response, oil…