Wildlife Driver | Wacol

From Road to Recovery: Help Us Save Wildlife!

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Currently we only have capacity for the following shifts: 
Sun Mondays 12pm - 4pm
Sun Wednesdays 12pm - 4pm OR 4pm - 8pm

 

What to expect

This rewarding volunteer role would suit applicants who are passionate about Australia’s native wildlife and are committed to improving their welfare; people who wish to experience hands-on work with native animals and want to learn about the care and health requirements for future work in the industry.  This is a great opportunity for people who want to help the RSPCA rehabilitate animals and send them back to their natural habitat. You will be outside in winter and summer weather and sometimes driving in the challenging conditions Queensland can offer, but the reward is knowing you are making a difference to the quality of life of all the native animals in our care. Applicants must be over 25 years old.

What are the benefits?

🦘 Opportunity to gain new skills and learn about Australian wildlife
🌏 Increased awareness of native wildlife and the challenges they face
🦉 Develop native animal handling and identification skills
🤝 Become part of a supportive and friendly community

What are the tasks?

The position involves transporting wildlife patients as required and includes:

🗺️ Significant driving throughout the greater Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast areas using an RSPCA vehicle
🏥 Collecting and transporting animals from veterinary clinics back to the Wacol Wildlife Hospital, or delivering animals to vet clinics for collection by carers
🌿 Releasing wildlife back into appropriate environments
👥 Liaising with registered wildlife carers and delivering animals along with relevant paperwork and medications
🗣️ Educating members of the public about wildlife species during releases or when interacting at the Wildlife Hospital
🧹 Assisting with sweeping and mopping floors, removing rubbish, and cleaning animals’ food and water bowls between driving jobs
🍽️ Replacing animals’ food and water as required
🚐 Transferring animals between Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, Australia Zoo and the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital
📞 Communicating with RSPCA Wildlife Hospital staff regarding animal movements and requirements
🧺 Transporting bins of soiled linen, towels and bedding to the laundry and returning clean items to the hospital
🌀 Undertaking general laundry duties, including loading and unloading washing machines and dryers and folding clean items

What skills and characteristics do I need?

🦎 Confidence working with a variety of animals, including reptiles
📚 Willingness to learn (wildlife knowledge or experience is an advantage)
🪪 A clean driver’s licence and ability to use GPS to navigate unfamiliar locations
🏋️ Physically fit, able to lift up to 10kg, and comfortable working in varied outdoor conditions
🔍 Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately follow instructions
🤝 Enjoy working as part of a team
🔄 Flexible, adaptable and able to respond to changing priorities
🗣️ Excellent communication skills

When can I volunteer?

We currently have the below vacancies:

  • Mondays: 8am-12pm, 9am-1pm, 1pm-5pm
  • Thursdays: 8am-12pm
  • Saturdays: 9am-1pm, 1pm-5pm
  • Sundays: 9am-1pm, 12pm-4pm

Please be aware that due to the nature of this role we ask you to be flexible to an extent with your shift time – it can be difficult to judge the length of a particular trip due to changeable traffic or weather conditions. We request a minimum commitment of 1 x four hour shift per week for a minimum of 3 months.  Orientation and animal training will be provided.

 

 

Important Reminders:

It is a requirement that before handling animals at the RSPCA you have an up-to-date Tetanus vaccination.

If you are ready to join the RSPCA Qld team, please click "Fill in an application" above. For further information, please contact us at volunteering@rspcaqld.org.au