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 animal rescue and welfare legislation and guidelines are followed at all times.
  • Respond to all after-hours wildlife rescue calls, prioritise actions as appropriate and act accordingly.
  • Follow guidelines and procedures as set out in the Redlands After-hours Wildlife Ambulance Volunteer Manual.
  • Keep accurate electronic records of all rescue calls and attend as required by Council and State government.
  • 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 vehicle 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.
  • 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 in collaboration with 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 each night as required.
  • A team of 3-5 volunteers are assigned to each rostered week. Volunteers are required to be available 3-4 full nights (out of 7) or 7-9 shifts (out of 14) in their rostered week for rescue duty. 
  • 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 vehicle operates across the Redlands City and Koala Coast areas on the mainland only. Wildlife rescues on Islands and further afield can be coordinated.

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 further your skills and knowledge for wildlife career opportunities.
  • The knowledge that you providing assistance and welfare for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife in the Redlands.