Wildlife Supervisor (2168)

Do you want to help create a better world for animals? At the RSPCA, we believe animal welfare is everyone's welfare.

Join us in creating a better world for every animal. We can do it if we work together, everyone for every animal.

Choose a career with us and make a difference.

We are currently recruiting a Wildlife Supervisor to join us at our West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Somerset on a permanent basis to assist with the rehabilitation of wild animal casualties and their integration back to the wild.

West Hatch is one of four RSPCA wildlife centres based in England that supports the rehabilitation of sick, injured, orphaned and confiscated wildlife.

If you are enthusiastic about wildlife conservation, enjoy hands-on work with animals, and are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of British wildlife, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding opportunity. Be part of our mission to protect and rehabilitate our precious wildlife for a sustainable and thriving ecosystem.

• Working hours - 35 hours per week over a 4 week rolling rota to be discussed
• Typically shifts range from 8.00am - 9.00pm, however if required, shift work will be applicable (in that case, you will receive 4% shift allowance for this)
• A job share will be considered if it meets the needs of the centre and the role. 

Are you ready to join our movement?

Join our incredible team at West Hatch as a Wildlife Supervisor. We pride ourselves on catering to the diverse needs of our wildlife patients, ranging from smaller nestling and fledgling birds, wood mice, bats and hedgehogs to the larger waterfowl and seabird species to our foxes, badgers and seal pups. 

As a Wildlife Supervisor, you will also be responsible for the following:

• Ensure line-managed staff receive their annual appraisal, regular one-on-ones, as well as continued support and motivation
• Ensure designated areas and facilities are well maintained, fully functional and in line with best practice and modern designs
• Carry out procedures relating to staff conduct in accordance with RSPCA policies e.g. Capability, Disciplinary and grievance procedures
• Ensure staffing levels are appropriate. Approve staff annual leave. Fill roster shift shortages by utilising casual staff and volunteer network or permitting staff overtime
• Ensure that new starters (volunteers and paid staff) complete the induction period in a timely manner e.g. standard procedures and probationary interviews. Arrange appropriate support for these individuals and identify training needs
• Responsible for answering phone calls, liaising with members of the public, vets and other organisations, along with arranging transfers of animals
• Assisting with administrative tasks as required
• Oversee daily operation within the wildlife centre ensuring wildlife assistants and volunteers are working well as a team in an efficient and diligent manner, maintaining best practice, and effectively rehabilitating wildlife according to protocols.

To excel in this role, we are looking for individuals with previous experience or knowledge of animal care, particularly in animal welfare or charity settings. Along with this, you will have previous line management experience, outstanding customer relations and communication experience, along with great computer skills.

Essential skills include experience of administering first aid. Although not essential, it would be beneficial if you had experience with wild animal handling, assessments, and had the emotional resilience to handle distressed wildlife.

Your days will be dynamic and demanding, requiring excellent organizational skills, the ability to work independently and to communicate effectively with the wider team. Additionally, proficiency in maintaining digital records and access to reliable transportation are important for this position.

Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK - We are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA.

Due to high interest in some of our roles, we review applications as they are received. This can occasionally result in positions closing earlier than advertised. Therefore, we strongly recommend submitting applications early. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications after the posted closing date.

We want to ensure we do all we can to give you a positive candidate experience through our recruitment. Whilst we do try to give feedback where we can, sometimes due to receiving high levels of applications, this may not always be possible.

We are building the future of a diverse Society, and our priority is to support animal welfare by finding people from all backgrounds who are committed  to our mission.  For this reason we actively encourage a wide diversity of applications - in particular from members of minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities - as these candidates are currently under-represented at the RSPCA. Your transferable skills & lived experiences could make you a valuable addition to our RSPCA Family! 

Should you need any support with your application or interview process please contact resourcingteam@rspca.org.uk / 0300 123 0685.

Our mission is to ensure animals have a good life by rescuing and caring for those in need, by advocating on behalf of all animals and by inspiring everyone to treat them with compassion and respect.