Volunteering with Redland City Council


Redland Wildlife After-hours Ambulance

If you are dedicated to helping our native wildlife, this volunteering opportunity could be for you!

Role Objective

To provide a prompt and reliable service to retrieve sick, injured or orphaned animals for veterinary assessment and treatment, and provide wildlife behaviour and conservation education to the Redlands community.

Key Duties

  • Ensure that the RAWA contact phone is always monitored between 5pm and 8am.
  • Respond to all after-hours wildlife rescue calls, prioritise actions as appropriate and act accordingly.
  • Ensure the procedures and protocols of animal rescue and welfare under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 “Code of Practice – Care of Sick, Injured, or Orphaned Protected Animals in Queensland”, “Code of Practice for Rehabilitation of Sick, Injured, or Orphaned Koalas in Queensland”, and additional procedures and protocols of animal rescue and welfare put in place by the Redland City Council in consultation with wildlife rescue organisations and hospitals are followed at all times.
  • Follow guidelines and procedures as set out in the Redlands After-hours Wildlife Ambulance Volunteer Manual.
  • Keep accurate records of all rescue calls and attend as required by Council and the Department of Environment and Science.
  • Ensure the RAWA vehicle and equipment is maintained and used only for intended purpose.
  • Attend quarterly volunteer meetings.

Necessary Skills and Experience

  • All volunteers must be over 18 years of age and live in the Redland mainland (the service does not operate on the Bay islands).
  • Possess a genuine care and desire for the welfare of our native wildlife.
  • The ability to use a smart phone and have basic technology skills for data entry (Survey 123).
  • The ability to cope with physically demanding situations and to act safely at all times.
  • The ability to cope with wildlife rescues that can be emotionally challenging.

Expected Time Commitment

  • The RAWA service operates every day of the year between 5pm and 8am.
  • The RAWA roster is formulated on a weekly basis (Sunday to Sunday) and are created with assistance from the volunteers.
  • Volunteers are requested to keep the week they are on roster as free of obligations as possible. This ensures that volunteers are available to attend rescues when needed.
  • 3-5 volunteers are assigned to each rostered week. This allows for the minimum of 2 people to attend every rescue as per health and safety requirements. It also allows for volunteers to have time off duty during that week, after confirming with team members that there are 2 people on duty for those times.
  • Volunteers are on roster approximately one week in every 4-5 weeks.

Dress Code and PPE

  • Long sleeved clothing is to be worn (reflective RAWA shirt).
  • Long pants (ie work wear or jeans) are to be worn.
  • Sturdy closed in shoes are to be worn.
  • Volunteer ID badge to be worn.
  • Safety glasses, gloves and a high visibility vest are provided in the vehicle.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing considerations

Identified potential risks and hazards and risk mitigation.

  • Site specific risks when attending a rescue – risk assessment undertaken on site.
  • Working on or adjacent to roads – Safe Work Method Statement.
  • Fatigue due to nature of the shift hours – ensure regular rest and shift breaks.
  • Exposure to injured or deceased animals – access to Council’s Employee Assistance Program (counselling)

Location/s

The RAWA operates across the Redlands City and Koala Coast areas on the mainland only.

Advantages we can offer

  • The opportunity to assist the local community to rescue, care or provide knowledge of native wildlife 
  • The opportunity to meet new people with similar interests.
  • The opportunity to grow friendships with like minded people.