Wildlife Rehabilitator Resume examples & templates
Copyable Wildlife Rehabilitator Resume examples
Ever wondered who nurses that injured hawk back to health after a storm, or hand-feeds orphaned fox kits until they're ready to return to the wild? Wildlife rehabilitators are the unsung heroes who bridge the gap between human impact and animal welfare. They're part veterinary technician, part environmental educator, and completely dedicated to giving wild animals a second chance. The field has evolved significantly over the past decade, with specialized protocols now developed for over 400 North American species—from hummingbirds to black bears.
As climate change intensifies and habitat loss continues (with roughly 2,000 acres of natural habitat lost to development daily in the U.S.), wildlife rehabilitators face mounting challenges. The profession requires a unique blend of scientific knowledge, hands-on medical skills, and endless patience. Most rehabbers work with 150+ animals annually, often volunteering countless hours beyond their paid positions. With wildlife agencies increasingly recognizing the critical role of rehabilitation in conservation efforts, opportunities in this field are expanding beyond traditional nonprofit settings to include government positions, research roles, and specialized rescue organizations. The future of wildlife rehabilitation lies at this intersection of compassionate care and scientific advancement.
Junior Wildlife Rehabilitator Resume Example
Megan Winters
Portland, OR | (503) 555-3921 | megan.winters@email.com | linkedin.com/in/meganwinters
Recent wildlife management graduate with hands-on experience rehabilitating injured wildlife through internships and volunteer work. Skilled in animal handling techniques, medication administration, and habitat enrichment. Passionate about conservation and committed to advancing animal welfare through proper rehabilitation practices. CPR and first aid certified with excellent record-keeping abilities.
EXPERIENCE
Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern | Pacific Northwest Wildlife Center | Portland, OR | Jan 2023 – Present
- Assist in the daily care of 30+ rehabilitating animals including songbirds, raptors, small mammals, and occasional reptiles
- Prepare specialized diets and feed animals according to individualized care plans
- Monitor animal health, record observations, and report changes to senior rehabilitators
- Clean and maintain animal enclosures, ensuring proper sanitation and enrichment
- Participate in the release of 27 successfully rehabilitated animals back to their natural habitats
Wildlife Rescue Volunteer | Cascadia Nature Conservancy | Eugene, OR | May 2022 – Dec 2022
- Responded to public calls about injured wildlife and provided guidance on appropriate actions
- Assisted in the rescue and transport of injured animals to rehabilitation facilities
- Supported orphaned fawn care during spring season, including bottle feeding and health monitoring
- Helped construct temporary outdoor enclosures for recovering animals
Animal Care Assistant | Happy Tails Veterinary Clinic | Eugene, OR | Jun 2021 – Apr 2022
- Provided basic care for domestic animals and occasional wildlife brought to the clinic
- Assisted veterinarians during examinations and treatments of injured wildlife
- Maintained detailed records of animal intake, treatment, and outcomes
- Cleaned and sterilized medical equipment and animal housing areas
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology | University of Oregon | Eugene, OR | May 2022
- Relevant Coursework: Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, Animal Behavior, Ecology
- Senior Project: “Rehabilitation Success Rates of Urban Wildlife Following Human Intervention”
Certifications
- Wildlife Rehabilitation Basics Certificate – Wildlife Rehabilitation Association | Feb 2023
- Basic Wildlife Emergency Response – Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife | Mar 2023
- First Aid/CPR Certification – American Red Cross | Jan 2023
SKILLS
- Animal handling & restraint techniques
- Wildlife identification (Pacific NW species)
- Medication administration (oral, topical)
- Wound management & bandaging
- Formula preparation & tube feeding
- Habitat enrichment
- Basic medical assessments
- Record keeping & documentation
- Public education & outreach
- MS Office & wildlife database software
ADDITIONAL
Volunteer Work: Weekend shift leader at Portland Bird Rescue (current); Annual Coastal Cleanup participant (2021, 2022)
Memberships: National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, Oregon Wildlife Rehabilitation Association
Mid-level Wildlife Rehabilitator Resume Example
Taylor Mendoza
Denver, CO • (303) 555-8762 • taylor.mendoza@email.com • linkedin.com/in/taylormendoza
Professional Summary
Dedicated Wildlife Rehabilitator with 5+ years of hands-on experience nursing injured and orphaned wildlife back to health. Skilled in treating over 40 native Colorado species with expertise in raptor rehabilitation and mammal care. Known for developing enrichment protocols that reduced stress behaviors by 31% in recovering animals. Looking to leverage my specialized medical training and public education experience at a larger rehabilitation center.
Experience
Senior Wildlife Rehabilitator | Rocky Mountain Wildlife Center | Boulder, CO | Mar 2020 – Present
- Manage daily treatment of 25-35 animals, coordinating care plans with staff veterinarian for complex medical cases
- Designed and implemented improved intake protocols that reduced animal stress by 28% during initial assessment
- Train and supervise 4 junior rehabilitators and 12 regular volunteers on proper handling, feeding, and medical treatments
- Lead public education programs reaching 1,700+ people annually, increasing community donations by 22%
- Specialized in rehabilitation of raptors, including 6 golden eagles with complex wing injuries
Wildlife Rehabilitator | Front Range Wildlife Rescue | Fort Collins, CO | Jun 2018 – Mar 2020
- Provided direct care for 200+ animals annually, including fluid therapy, wound management, and medication administration
- Created detailed treatment records and tracked recovery milestones for all animals under care
- Collaborated with CO Parks & Wildlife on 3 black bear cub rehabilitation projects
- Constructed species-appropriate enclosures that mimicked natural habitats and promoted natural behaviors
Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern | Sunflower Sanctuary Wildlife Rehab | Denver, CO | May 2017 – May 2018
- Assisted with daily feeding and care of 75+ native Colorado wildlife species
- Learned proper handling techniques for birds, mammals, and reptiles under supervision
- Prepared specialized diets for various life stages and species requirements
- Participated in 14 releases of successfully rehabilitated animals
Education & Certifications
Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology | Colorado State University | 2017
Certifications:
- Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit – Colorado Parks & Wildlife (2018, renewed 2021)
- Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation – International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (2018)
- Advanced Avian Rehabilitation – National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (2019)
- Emergency Wildlife Medicine – Wildlife Center of Virginia (2020)
- Rabies Vector Species Handler – Colorado Department of Health (2020)
Skills
- Species identification & assessment
- Wound management & bandaging
- Formula preparation & tube feeding
- Medication administration (oral, SQ, IM)
- Environmental enrichment design
- Behavior monitoring & documentation
- Public education & outreach
- Volunteer coordination
- Wildlife emergency triage
- Release site evaluation
Professional Affiliations
- National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (Member since 2018)
- Colorado Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (Board Member, 2021-present)
Senior / Experienced Wildlife Rehabilitator Resume Example
Natalie Brockman
Portland, OR | (503) 555-7842 | natalie.brockman@email.com | linkedin.com/in/nataliebrockman
Licensed wildlife rehabilitator with 11+ years dedicated to rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured and orphaned wildlife. Specialized expertise in raptor rehabilitation and marine mammal care with proven track record managing volunteer teams of 20+ people. Developed and implemented wildlife enrichment protocols that reduced rehabilitation time by 17% for common species. Currently pursuing advanced certification in wildlife parasitology to expand treatment capabilities.
EXPERIENCE
Senior Wildlife Rehabilitator | Cascade Wildlife Recovery Center | Portland, OR | March 2018 – Present
- Lead team of 4 staff rehabilitators and 23 volunteers in the care of 1,200+ animals annually across 75+ species
- Pioneered specialized marine mammal rehabilitation program that increased successful release rates from 68% to 87% for seals and sea lions
- Perform complex medical procedures including wound treatment, fluid therapy, and nutritional support under veterinary supervision
- Designed and built custom outdoor rehabilitation enclosures that reduced stress behaviors by 42% in recovering raptors
- Secured $94,500 in grant funding for facility expansion and specialized equipment purchases in 2021
Wildlife Rehabilitator | Pacific Northwest Wildlife Rescue | Seattle, WA | June 2015 – February 2018
- Rehabilitated 400+ animals annually with focus on raptors, small mammals, and songbirds
- Created and implemented standardized assessment protocols for incoming wildlife that reduced initial evaluation time by 13 minutes per animal
- Trained and supervised 15 regular volunteers and 30+ seasonal interns in proper handling, feeding, and medication techniques
- Maintained detailed medical records and treatment plans for all animals in care
- Coordinated with state wildlife officials on releases and participated in 6 regional wildlife management conferences
Wildlife Rehabilitation Assistant | Bayside Animal Hospital & Wildlife Center | Tacoma, WA | April 2012 – May 2015
- Assisted with daily care of 200+ injured and orphaned wildlife patients
- Prepared specialized diets and administered medications as directed by staff veterinarian
- Maintained clean and sanitary enclosures while monitoring animal health and behavior
- Developed educational materials for public outreach events that reached 3,000+ community members annually
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology | Oregon State University | 2012
Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator | Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife | Current
Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator | International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council | 2016
Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation | National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association | 2013
Wildlife Chemical Immobilization | Safe Capture International | 2019
Wilderness First Responder | National Outdoor Leadership School | Renewed 2021
SKILLS
- Raptor & predator handling
- Marine mammal rehabilitation
- Fluid therapy & wound management
- Wildlife nutrition & feeding protocols
- Environmental enrichment design
- Volunteer coordination & training
- Grant writing & fundraising
- Public education & community outreach
- Wildlife parasitology & treatment
- Rehabilitation facility design
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA)
International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC)
Oregon Wildlife Rehabilitation Association – Board Member (2019-Present)
How to Write a Wildlife Rehabilitator Resume
Introduction
Landing a wildlife rehabilitator position is competitive - you're not just competing against other passionate animal lovers, but also against folks with specialized training and hands-on experience. Your resume is often your first chance to show rescue organizations that you've got what it takes to provide care for injured, sick, or orphaned wild animals. I've helped dozens of wildlife rehabbers craft resumes that get noticed, and I'm sharing those insights with you today. This guide will walk you through creating a resume that showcases your animal care skills, knowledge of wildlife behavior, and dedication to conservation.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your wildlife rehabilitator resume clean and organized - just like you'd keep your treatment area! A cluttered resume makes it hard for busy rescue directors to find what they're looking for.
- Stick to 1-2 pages (one page for those with under 5 years of experience)
- Use clear section headings: Summary, Experience, Education, Certifications, Skills
- Choose a readable font like Calibri or Arial in 10-12pt size
- Include plenty of white space to make scanning easier
- Save your file as a PDF (unless the job posting specifies otherwise)
Profile/Summary Section
Your summary should immediately signal your wildlife rehabilitation focus. This 3-4 sentence paragraph appears at the top of your resume and acts as your professional introduction.
Pro tip: Tailor your summary to highlight experience with specific animal groups mentioned in the job description. If they work primarily with raptors or marine mammals, emphasize any relevant experience you have with those species.
Example: "Wildlife Rehabilitator with 4+ years of experience specializing in small mammals and songbirds. Proficient in fluid therapy administration, wound management, and nutritional support for 75+ species. Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator with additional training in avian fracture stabilization and zoonotic disease prevention."
Professional Experience
This is where you'll shine! Focus on your hands-on care experience and quantify your work whenever possible.
- List positions in reverse chronological order (most recent first)
- Include organization name, location, your title, and dates worked
- Start bullet points with strong action verbs: rehabilitated, administered, assessed, etc.
- Mention specific treatment protocols you've implemented
- Quantify your impact: "Provided daily care for up to 27 animals simultaneously" or "Released 86% of treated squirrels back to their natural habitats"
Don't forget to include volunteer experience! Many wildlife rehabbers start as volunteers, and this experience counts. Just make sure to label it appropriately if unpaid.
Education and Certifications
Wildlife rehabilitation often requires specialized training beyond formal education. Include both!
- List degrees with institution names, locations, and graduation years
- Feature relevant certifications like Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator (CWR)
- Include specialized training workshops (e.g., "Raptor Handling Workshop - Carolina Raptor Center")
- Mention permits you hold (state wildlife rehabilitation permit, migratory bird permit)
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many larger wildlife organizations use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes before a human sees them. These systems scan for relevant keywords.
Key terms to include (where truthful):
- Species-specific terms (avian, mammalian, reptilian rehabilitation)
- Medical procedures (subcutaneous fluids, gavage feeding, bandaging)
- Equipment (incubators, scales, feeding syringes)
- Regulations (Migratory Bird Treaty Act, state wildlife codes)
- Software (wildlife rehabilitation databases, medical record systems)
Industry-specific Terms
Show you speak the language! Include terminology that proves you understand wildlife care:
- Imprinting prevention
- Species-appropriate nutrition
- Environmental enrichment
- Soft release protocols
- Zoonotic disease management
- Neonatal care techniques
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using generic animal care terms instead of wildlife-specific language
- Focusing on how much you "love animals" rather than your technical skills
- Forgetting to mention experience with public education (an important part of many wildlife rehab jobs!)
- Omitting experience with specific native species in your region
- Neglecting to mention familiarity with local wildlife laws and regulations
Before/After Example
Before: "Helped animals get better and return to the wild."
After: "Administered medication and supportive care to 130+ injured songbirds, resulting in successful release of 78% of cases. Developed specialized feeding protocols for nestling robins that reduced mortality by 23% compared to previous season."
Your wildlife rehabilitator resume should showcase both your compassion for animals and your technical expertise. Remember that directors are looking for people who can handle the emotional and physical demands of the job while maintaining proper protocols. Good luck with your wildlife career!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Wildlife Rehabilitator resume
- Crisis management under pressure – staying composed while treating severely injured animals or handling multiple emergencies simultaneously
- Emotional resilience – balancing compassion with necessary detachment when faced with difficult outcomes
- Nonverbal communication – reading animal body language and stress signals to adjust handling techniques
- Cross-functional collaboration – working effectively with veterinarians, volunteers, and conservation officials
- Adaptive problem-solving – creating improvised solutions with limited resources during wildlife rescue situations
- Public education – explaining complex wildlife concepts to concerned citizens who bring in injured animals
Hard skills for your Wildlife Rehabilitator resume
- Basic veterinary techniques (wound cleaning, bandaging, subcutaneous fluid administration)
- Species identification for 100+ local mammals, birds, and reptiles
- Capture and restraint methods for injured wildlife
- Formula preparation and tube feeding for orphaned animals
- Wildlife habitat assessment and enrichment construction
- WILD-ONE database management for patient tracking
- Fracture stabilization and basic splinting techniques
- Parasitology identification using microscopy
- Administration of prescribed medications (oral, topical, injectable)