Job Title:  Farm Animal Friend Volunteer

WHS provides housing and care for these animals at a 10-acre off-site facility located in Everson.

Time Commitment:  One scheduled shift weekly.  Approximately 2 hours per week.

Duties: You will:

• provide cleaning, care and socialization for a variety of livestock including, but not limited to, horses, pigs, goats, sheep and cows.§  clean barn stalls and outdoor animal enclosures
• groom horses and other livestock animals
• feed animals
• groundwork duties available for the very seasoned/experienced volunteers only (does not include riding) 

Requirements:  Must be 18 years of age (16-17 years of age may volunteer if accompanied by a parent or guardian).  Volunteers must understand the risk associated with working around large animals in barn and outdoor environments.  You should:

• have prior experience working with horses or other livestock
• must have reliable transportation to get to & from the farm facility
• have a strong desire to improve the lives of farm animals
• be confident & comfortable with animals of all sizes
• be willing to get dirty
• have good physical strength and ability to lift 40+ lbs
• be able to work independently and adhere to all safety and animal handling regulations
• have an understanding of the necessity for euthanasia and show respect to the staff who are directly involved with the process

Job Title:  Thrift Store Cashier

Time Commitment:  Minimum 6-month commitment.  Scheduled weekly shift.

Shifts: 
Friday, Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Duties:  You will:

• greet customers
• process sales quickly and accurately
• promote donations at checkout (round up!)
• assist with open & closing duties as needed

Requirements:  Must be at least 18 years of age.  Completion of Volunteer Information Session and hands-on job training.  You should:

• be familiar with the WHS mission
• be friendly, outgoing, and comfortable speaking to members of the public
• maintain excellent customer service
• be detail oriented
• be able to stand for long periods of time
• be able to work in a team environment

Job Title:  Thrift Store Cashier’s Assistant

Time Commitment:  Minimum 6-month commitment.  Scheduled weekly shift.

Shifts: 
Friday, Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Duties:  You will:

• assist with bagging/boxing purchases
• assist customers to their car as needed
• assist in keeping the store clean & organized
• assist with open & closing duties

Requirements:  Must be at least 16 years of age.  Completion of Volunteer Information Session and hands-on job training.  You should:

• be familiar with the WHS mission
• be friendly, outgoing, and comfortable speaking to members of the public
• maintain excellent customer service
• be detail oriented
• be able to stand for long periods of time
• be able to work independently or in a team environment

Job Title:  Thrift Store Floor Monitor

Time Commitment:  Minimum 6-month commitment.  Scheduled weekly shift.

Shifts: 
Friday, Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Duties:  You will:

• greet customers on sales floor
• answer questions & assist shoppers
• assist in keeping the store clean & organized
• help customers to their car as needed
• restock sale merchandise as needed

Requirements:  Must be at least 16 years of age.  Completion of Volunteer Information Session and hands-on job training.  You should:

• be familiar with the WHS mission
• be friendly, outgoing, and comfortable speaking to members of the public
• maintain excellent customer service
• be detail oriented
• be able to stand for long periods of time
• be able to work independently or in a team environment

Job Title:  Jewelry Sales Clerk

Time Commitment:  Minimum 6-month commitment.  Scheduled weekly shift.

Shifts:  Friday, Saturday & Sunday Only
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Duties:  You will:

• greet customers at the jewelry counter
• answer questions & assist shoppers
• help hesitant customers make a decision
• price & restock merchandise as available

Requirements:  Must be at least 16 years of age.  Completion of Volunteer Information Session and hands-on job training.  You should:

• be familiar with the WHS mission
• be friendly, outgoing, and comfortable speaking to members of the public
• maintain excellent customer service
• be detail oriented
• be able to stand for long periods of time
• be able to work independently

Job Title:  Thrift Store Donation Intake Team

Time Commitment:  Minimum 6-month commitment.  Scheduled weekly shift.

Shifts:  

Wednesday, Thursday 9:30 am – 1:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Friday, Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Duties:  You will:

• assist donors with donation drop-off
• sort incoming donations
• clean/wash items as needed
• do online product research
• ensure all items are correctly priced
• assist with markdowns on older merchandise
• assist with restocking store shelves as needed

Requirements:  Must be at least 16 years of age.  Completion of Volunteer Information Session and hands-on job training.  You should:

• be familiar with the WHS mission
• be friendly, outgoing, and comfortable speaking to members of the public
• be detail oriented
• be able to stand for long periods of time
• be able to work in a team environment

Job Title:  Wildlife Care Assistant

Time Commitment:  Because work in animal care requires a significant amount of training, we ask for a minimum 4 month commitment, 4 hours/week.  Volunteers are scheduled to work the same shift every week.

Wildlife Care Assistants begin volunteering at the Wildlife Center at the beginning of one of these three sessions, which are based on the seasonal cycles of wildlife:

• Spring Baby Season (March – June)
• Summer/Fall Baby Season (July – October)
• Winter Season (November – February)

Volunteers must sign up for a regular, weekly shift and attend these for the entirety of that session.

Volunteers who complete their 4-month commitment and who meet set criteria may be given the opportunity to learn more advanced animal handling and medical skills if they choose to stay on.

Shifts:
Shifts are available seven days a week at the following times:
8am – 12pm (available year-round)
4pm – 8pm (available ~ 4/15 – 9/30)

Please be aware that some shifts have a greater need, and placement will be where the need is greatest.

Duties: 
Wildlife Care Assistants work alongside our expert staff rehabilitators at the Wildlife Center to assist with the daily cleaning, weighing, care, and feeding of injured, ill, and orphaned native Washington wildlife patients. Tasks vary throughout the year, coinciding with the seasonal cycles of our local wildlife.

Year round, volunteers will spend much of their time cleaning and setting up cages, doing laundry and dishes, general cleaning and sanitizing, sweeping, mopping, and maintaining a clean hospital environment.  Volunteers also prepare and deliver diets (which can include live insects and dead prey) for patients, assist staff with animal care, and complete maintenance, husbandry, and special cleaning projects.  In the spring and summer sessions, duties may also include hand-feeding young mammals and nestling and juvenile songbirds.

Requirements: 

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Completion of Volunteer Information Session, onsite Wildlife Center orientation, and basic skills training with Wildlife Center staff
• Able to bend, lift, carry 30 pounds, and stand/walk while doing strenuous activities for most of the volunteer shift
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Be able to work cooperatively with a diverse group of staff, volunteers, and interns of all ages and backgrounds
• Reliable and prompt for shifts
• Can successfully work in an extremely busy, ever-changing, and fast-paced environment
• Capable of working under limited supervision after fully trained
• Comfortable approaching staff with questions and asking for direction when needed
• Open to learning from coaching and on-the-job training
• Understanding the first priority at all times is the patients’ health and quality of life
• A superior attention to detail
• Good judgment

If you are interested in being a Wildlife Care Assistant, please view the Wildlife Care Volunteer Manual for more details about the position.  Once you have reviewed all of the requirements and job details, you are invited to join us for a Wildlife Volunteer Information Session Saturday, February 19 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.  Click here to reserve your seat!

Job Title:  Wildlife Transport Team

Time Commitment:  Varies Seasonally.  Minimum 3 month commitment.

Shifts:  As needed.  Volunteers are asked to commit to one shift per week.  Transports may or may not be needed on your scheduled day(s).

Duties:  Sometimes people who find injured wildlife are unable to bring the animals to WHS Wildlife Services. Therefore, we need to go out and pick up the animals and transport them back to the center.  Part of this duty includes capturing the animal and putting it securely in a transport carrier.  (Gas mileage cannot be reimbursed but is tax deductible if proper records are kept.) There are also certain patients that must be transferred to other wildlife centers due to lack of room and resources. It is essential that these patients get to the other wildlife in a timely and safe manner. This volunteer opportunity would consist of committing to being “on – call” if a transfer patient arrives; then coming to the Wildlife Center to pick – up the animal who will be already contained.

Requirements:  Must be at least 18 years of age.  Completion of Volunteer Information Session, onsite orientation, and hands-on job training with Wildlife Center staff and/or experienced volunteers.

Job Title: Wildlife Facility Caretaker

Time Commitment:  Varies Seasonally.  Minimum 3 month commitment.

Shift:  Flexible. Volunteers will be on call for projects as needed.

Duties: Painting, building and repairing caging units, clearing brush, cleaning and maintenance of wildlife facilities, minor plumbing & electrical work, and mowing the lawn in the summer months.

Requirements:  Must be at least 18 years of age. Completion of Volunteer Information Session, onsite orientation, and hands-on job training with Wildlife Center staff and/or experienced volunteers.

Job Title: Transport Team

Time Commitment:  Varies/Flexible – minimum 6-month commitment

Shifts:  As needed

Duties:  Responsible for responding to Telegrams from WHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center staff to pick up wildlife in need from around Whatcom County, Skagit County, and very occasionally Snohomish County.  Volunteers will be asked to transport animals to the Center from either a vet hospital, private residence, or another licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility.  Most animals will already be contained.  Rescues of uncontained animals are at the discretion of staff after appropriate volunteer training as volunteer Wildlife Care Assistants.  Gas mileage cannot be reimbursed, but is tax deductible if proper records are kept.

• Educate the public on coexisting with wildlife as needed
• Safely transport animal to the Center
• Maintain WHS equipment in good working order
• Communicate with staff
• No music or strong air conditioning or heat in vehicle while transporting an animal
• No stops with animal in vehicle; must go straight from pick-up site to Center

Requirements: 

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Completion of Volunteer Information Session and onsite Wildlife Center orientation/training with Wildlife Center staff
• A valid Driver’s License
• A reliable, working vehicle with appropriate insurance
• Ability to download and use the application Telegram on a smartphone
• Learn the basics of WHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center policies and basic animal handling
• Understanding the first priority at all times is the patients’ health and quality of life
• Able to bend, lift, and carry 30 pounds
• Reliable and prompt for animal pick-ups and deliveries to the Center
• Enjoy working with the public and our vet hospital and wildlife rehabilitation partners
• Can provide good customer service to the public, and internally to staff and other volunteers
• Be able to communicate cooperatively with a diverse group of staff, volunteers, and interns of all ages and backgrounds
• Open to learning from coaching and on-the-job training
• Comfortable approaching staff with questions and asking for direction when needed
• Good judgment

Once you have reviewed all of the requirements and details above, you are invited to join us for a Wildlife Volunteer Information Session Saturday, February 18, 2023 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Click here to reserve your seat!

Job Title: Special Events/Fundraising Volunteer

Time Commitment:  Varies.  Hours will increase during peak times before and after events.

Duties:  You will: 

• assist with planning and implementation of WHS fundraising and special events
• participate in assigned projects and tasks such as: solicitations of auction item donations; marketing and poster distribution; data entry; invitation design and mailing; event planning and coordination

Requirements:  Must be at least 16 years of age. Completion of Volunteer Information Session. You should:

• have excellent “people” skills
• enjoy planning and working on events
• be detail oriented
• be able to work independently with minimal supervision
• be reliable!

Job Title:  Community Outreach Volunteer

Time Commitment: Varies according to events & projects.

Duties:  You will:

• act as an ambassador for WHS
• attend tabling events at businesses, schools and local festivals
• educate members of the community on our programs & services
• answer animal and shelter related questions
• hand out literature and resources

Requirements:  Must be at least 16 years of age.  Completion of Volunteer Information Session and on-the-job training by WHS staff or volunteers.  You should:

• possess excellent communication skills
• enjoy interacting with large and diverse groups of people
• be able to work independently or in a team environment
• have a concern for and a humane attitude toward the care and treatment of all animals
• have a firm understanding of what it means to be an open-admission shelter

Job Title: Humane Education Volunteer

Time Commitment: Varies according to workshops & school schedules.

Duties:  You will:

• act as an ambassador for WHS
• give educational tours of WHS to groups of all ages
• lead group activities for community service groups
• assist in teaching children about animal care and handling
• assist with games & activities in children’s workshops
• answer animal and shelter related questions

Requirements:  Must be at least 16 years of age.  Completion of Volunteer Information Session and on-the-job training by WHS staff or volunteers.  You should:

• possess excellent communication skills
• must be comfortable with children of all ages
• enjoy interacting with large and diverse groups of people
• be able to work independently or in a team environment
• have a concern for and a humane attitude toward the care and treatment of all animals
• have a firm understanding of what it means to be an open-admission shelter

Job Title: Foster Care Provider

Time Commitment: On-call as needed to provide temporary 24-hour care for orphaned, injured and unweaned animals.

Duties: You will:

• provide all elements of care for foster animals including feeding, cleaning, grooming, medicating and socializing
• ensure safety of foster animal at all times
• maintain communication with WHS staff regarding the foster animal’s progress
• provide nurturing and comfortable environment in your home for foster animals
• transport foster animals to and from the shelter for medical treatments, check-ups and to be shown for adoption

Requirements:  Must be 18 years of age.  Completion of Volunteer Information Session.  One-on-one meeting, training and home check with WHS Foster Care Coordinator. Other education and training as required.  You should:

• be willing to take animals that may be sick, injured or with behavior issues into your home
• be able to make the commitment to provide specialized care if needed for short or extended periods
• be able to work independently, but able to follow exact instructions
• own your own home or have written permission from your landlord
• be at least 18 years of age, or work under a parent/guardian in the home
• be able to administer oral and topical medications