Volunteer

Daily Care volunteers feed and water our rehabilitating animals. This morning position is of utmost importance at Liberty Wildlife. Patients are resting and recuperating from injury or illness. Birds in flight cages are building muscle and endurance for their eventual release. In the spring and summer, foster parents tend to large broods of orphans. Must be available for a four-hour shift one day per week. You will train with a mentor for the first nine weeks. Minimum of 6-month commitment.

Shift times vary seasonally but are typically between 6/7 AM – 10/11 AM.

Job Responsibility:

• Cleans cages & bins – inside and outside
• Feeds animals in Education, Rehab, and Intensive Care areas
• Change water, remove and disposes of garbage
• Updates Daily Care Log Book
• Completes Daily Care Checklist
• Works as part of a team

Essential Functions:

• Cleaning thoroughly
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
• Attend meetings & possible educational seminars
• Preparation of food: dispersing and proper recording of food intake
• Safety: wearing proper protective wear (gloves, eye protectors, etc.)
• Able to identify issues (i.e., repairs, birds acting unusual, etc.)
• Able to follow directions & protocols set by Liberty Wildlife
• Being a team player
• Willingness to adapt to change

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Any wildlife knowledge is a plus!
• To be able to work in a team environment
• Willingness to communicate
• Dedication to Liberty Wildlife’s mission
• Respect for all wildlife
• Ability to handle weather/seasons

Our hotline is operational from 8 AM – 8:30 PM every day for callers with wildlife emergencies. Hotline volunteers help injured, ill or orphaned wildlife while working from home and can live anywhere in the country. All you need is a computer and a phone to monitor messages from people who have found an animal needing help and you’ll call them back. This is a great job for busy people! Shifts are once per week, typically 2 or 3 hours long. Training and support is provided. Minimum 6-month commitment.

Job Responsibilities:

• Complete a regular shift responding to the Liberty Wildlife Telephone Hotline
• Arrange Rescue & Transport for rescue-qualified animals
• Maintain accurate & concise records of all calls and your response to each call.
• Stay current and well-informed on all information related to the job and Liberty Wildlife

Essential Functions:

• Complete the full shift, every shift
• Respond to all callers ASAP – check-in for calls every 15 minutes during Orphan Care season and every 20 minutes the rest of the year
• Ask for assistance when getting bogged down or if falling behind to ensure each caller with prompt service
• Arrange Rescue & Transport for injured, ill, or orphaned native animals too large or dangerous for the public to handle
• Honestly attempt to “solve” all callers problems by providing them with accurate, concise, and up-to-date information and resources
• Be generous and patient with all callers
• Be authoritative, current, and well-informed on local wildlife matters, secure in your knowledge and expertise
• Educate the public on wildlife matters whenever possible

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Reading and comprehension level – age 14+
• Good customer service Skills
• Solid study habits
• Basic computer skills
• Assertiveness, confidence and self-reliance
• Reliable and responsible
• Self-starter, able to work independently
• Pleasant phone manners
• Courteous, compassionate & understanding
• Desire to educate the community
• Willingness to listen carefully
• Strong organizational skills

Intake Window volunteers work our intake window, where the public brings in orphaned, ill, or injured wildlife. This position is perfect for those who want to learn more about wildlife species identification and have good customer service skills.

Our intake window is open every day from 8 AM – 6 PM. Shift times are 8 AM – 12 noon, 12 noon – 3 PM, or 3 PM – 6 PM. You must be able to commit to one shift per week for a minimum of 6 months.

Job Responsibilities:

• Intake new patients at the Intake Window during your scheduled shift
• Ensure all information is entered into the database and provide Medical Services with proper intake form for each patient

Essential Functions:

• Greet the public and ask them all required questions for the intake form
• Place animal into proper berry basket, bin, or cage depending on species and size
• Make up medical folders for raptors, mammals, and waterfowl
• Prepare berry baskets and bins for future intakes
• Keep intake area clean and organized
• Identify different species of animals
• Assist with any other functions as needed

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Timeliness and dedication to the shift you have chosen
• Ability to handle stress in a changing environment
• Ability to interact with members of the public in a professional and mature manner
• Able to type on a computer, and have basic reading and writing skills
• Ability to learn to identify the different species that arrive

Interpretive Guides are the face of Liberty Wildlife during our open hours. This position is perfect for volunteers interested in natural history education or those with customer service experience. Training is provided.

Shifts begin 30 minutes before our open hours and conclude 30 minutes after our open hours. Times vary seasonally. You must be available for one four-hour shift once a week for a minimum of 6 months.

Job Responsibilities:

• Greet the public as they attend Open Hours
• Disinfect public areas, such as the lobby and interactive room, according to CDC COVID directions
• Take fees for admission, donations and handle gift shop sales
• Talk with visitors about the Interactive Room, Non-Eagle Feather Repository, Education Trail and the basic facts/stories about Liberty Wildlife to help them gain an understanding of what we do and why.
• Can occasionally sign up to lead private tours, help with field trips and special events.

Essential Functions:

• Communicate with visitors, staff, and volunteers
• Provide information about Liberty Wildlife and our mission
• Create a welcoming atmosphere for guests
• Able to follow directions and protocols set by Liberty Wildlife
• Being a team player
• Willingness to adapt to change

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Any knowledge about Liberty Wildlife is helpful, but you will learn on the job
• Any wildlife knowledge is helpful
• The ability to work in a team setting
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• The ability to communicate clearly with a team and with guests/visitors
• Consistency and dedication to your schedule and team

Medical Service Volunteers and Education Team volunteers are those volunteers who have been with Liberty Wildlife in another tier one position for at least a year. They have shown consistency, reliability, responsibility, good communication and a respect for our mission.

Formal training classes are held for each Volunteer Position usually once a year.

Owl Team, is very similar to Daily Care, except you are only caring for the rehabbing owls. This is an afternoon position. Owls are either with foster parents or in flight cages building muscle and endurance for their eventual release. In the spring and summer, foster parents tend to large broods of orphans. Must be available for a 3-hour shift one day per week. Minimum of 6-month commitment.

Shift times vary seasonally but are typically between 3/4pm-6pm

Job Responsibility:

• Feeds owls in Rehab
• Change water, remove and disposes of garbage
• Updates Daily Care Log Book
• Completes Owl Team Checklist
• Works as part of a team

Essential Functions:

• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
• Cleaning thoroughly
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
• Preparation of food: dispersing and proper recording of food intake
• Safety: wearing proper protective wear (gloves, eye protectors, etc.)
• Able to identify issues (i.e., repairs, birds acting unusual, etc.)
• Able to follow directions & protocols set by Liberty Wildlife
• Being a team player
• Willingness to adapt to change

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Any wildlife knowledge is a plus!
• To be able to work in a team environment
• Willingness to communicate
• Dedication to Liberty Wildlife’s mission
• Respect for all wildlife
• Ability to handle weather/seasons

Orphan care volunteers feed the orphan songbirds that the public brings in during the spring and summer months. Many of these babies must be fed every 15 minutes, so this job will keep you busy even as it warms your heart. Four-hour shifts are available between 7 AM and 7 PM seven days a week, from April through September. Training is provided.

Shifts are once a week, and the times are 7 AM – 11 AM, 11 AM – 3 PM, or 3 PM – 7 PM.

Job Responsibilities:

• Responsible for primary care of young and orphaned birds, including (but not limited to) assessing, monitoring, feeding, cleaning, and alerting Medical Services when appropriate
• Maintains up-keep of Orphan Care (OC) area. Also responsible for cleaning bins, feeding utensils, and general maintenance of OC area
• Completes Orphan Care Checklist
• Works with teammate(s) along with other volunteers (such as Medical Services) while maintaining focus on Liberty’s mission and philosophy

Essential Functions:

• Continually assesses and monitors birds in OC area
• Maintains accurate and complete paperwork
• Identifies problems and notifies the appropriate person or department
• Keeps supplies in stock; fills food (inside supply) when needed. Notifies staff when food needs to be re-stocked
• Supports and enforces safety procedures for both humans and wildlife
• Cooperates with other team members
• Prepares food and feeds birds appropriately. Maintains food for self-feeders in bins
• Is prompt and efficient with minimal absences. Secures a substitute in a timely manner when absent
• Is calm and patient in emergencies and stressful conditions
• Promotes a proper environment for rehabilitating wildlife with great emphasis on controlling imprinting behaviors
• Attends department meetings and training on a regular basis

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Ability to learn and adapt
• Ability to work with birds and people
• Ability to handle stress in a challenging and changing environment

Rescue and Transport volunteers are on the front line, going into the field to bring injured animals to the facility for medical help and post-assessment care. Part of this job is providing transport for animals contained by the public while at other times, the volunteer must capture the creature before bringing it in. You will be using your personal vehicle and must provide proof of insurance and a current driver’s license. Your schedule will be based on your availability. Training and support is provided.

Must be able to attend a 4-hour on-site training class.

Job Description:

• Go into the field to rescue wildlife and transport to Liberty Wildlife
• Keep training up to date so that you are able to safely capture and transport wildlife
• Follow proper procedures at the facility for check-in and paperwork

Essential Functions:

• Be prepared and available for rescues during times you indicated you were free
• Keep rescue tools, such as boxes, gloves, and intake forms ready and in your vehicle
• Communicate with the public regarding the condition of the animal and their location in the valley
• Ensure thorough communication that the animal will be there when you arrive
• Develop techniques for capture and boxing that work for you and are safe
• Learn about the wildlife of the desert so that you are prepared for various situations
• Educate the public about wildlife and its role in the ecosystem
• Educate the public about Liberty Wildlife

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Ability to dive a vehicle
• Ability to follow geographic directions
• Ability to think on your feet

Our teen guide program is for teens ages 13-17 who are interested in education and developing public speaking skills.

Commitment from end of Sept through end of April.

Applicants who submit their online application after the program has started for the year will be placed on a Wait-List and contacted during the summer to see if they are still interested.

(You must be 18+ to work with raptors at our facility.)

Teen Guide (Ages 13-17)

Teens will volunteer during our Open Hours either every other Saturday or every other Sunday with a group of other teen volunteers, a teen volunteer lead and our teen leaders.

Job Responsibilities:

• Set up and break down ‘booths’ before and after open hours
• Present educational information at ‘booths’ during our open hours
• Present educational information in the Interactive Lab.

Essential Functions:

• Present educational information to the public during open hours
• Develop your public speaking skills
• Respect the animals, other volunteers, supervisors, and visitors.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to interact with the public
• Must have an eagerness to learn

Final Projects:

• At the end of the fall semester, the students will give presentations during our open hours on a topic of their choice.
• At the end of the spring semester, the students will help run an onsite event at Liberty Wildlife that is open to the public

Cost:

• $150 per participant

Parental Waivers will need to be signed once admitted in to the program.

Email questions to info@libertywildlife.org

Preserving Wildlife for Future Generations

The mission of the Guardian group is raising funds through the annual benefit, Wishes for Wildlife, and other special events, which directly support wildlife rehabilitation, community education, and conservation. This group of volunteers is committed to supporting Liberty Wildlife as it continues to grow along with our community. No prior fundraising experience is necessary!

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist in fundraising activities to help meet the annual operating expenses of Liberty Wildlife
• Help plan Liberty Wildlife’s annual Wishes for Wildlife Benefit

Essential Functions:

• Attend monthly Guardian meetings
• Procure one or more items for the Wishes for Wildlife Benefit’s silent and/or live auction
• Purchase ticket to attend the Wishes for Wildlife Benefit, or work the night of the Benefit
• Provide assistance, if possible, for other special guardian sponsored events
• Supply two (2) bottles of libations for the libation pull (valued at $25 or more each)