Birds Area Coordinator - Work in the Bolivian jungle with rescued wildlife

Are you passionate about wildlife? Would you like to work in the Bolivian jungle with birds rescued from the illegal wildlife trade? This is your chance to use your skills to support animals rescued from illegal trafficking! Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi (CIWY) is looking for a Birds Area Coordinator to join our team as soon as possible.

Introduction

Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi (CIWY) is a Bolivian NGO, made up of a team of committed professionals and volunteers from Bolivia and around the world. Founded in 1992, CIWY was the pioneer of the environmental movement in Bolivia and is recognised nationally and internationally. CIWY currently manages three wildlife sanctuaries: Machia (Cochabamba), Ambue Ari (Santa Cruz) and Jacj Cuisi (Rurrenabaque). Each sanctuary offers refuge to wild animals rescued from trafficking, offering them a better quality of life.

Overview

The Birds area in the Sanctuary Machia is home to 39 birds of 12 different species, including macaws and Amazonian parrots. The work here includes feeding the birds, cleaning the cages, providing enrichment for them and the general maintenance of the area. Some of the birds are able to spend their days outside their cages, and you will need to watch over them to make sure that they are safe. You will also be in charge of the volunteers in your area.

Description

The role requires autonomy and organization in carrying out the daily routine, which involves cleaning, preparing food, checking the animals and overseeing the volunteers’ work. The coordinator must have a strong level of teamwork, responsibility and initiative. The main goal is that the animals receive the best possible care and attention in the most efficient way possible.

Responsibilities:

• The Bird area coordinator will be in charge of the Bird area and of the care taking of the birds.
• Training new volunteers and teaching them the management techniques that have been put in place there as well as introducing them to the animals.
• Take measures to ensure the safety of yourself, the volunteers, staff and visitors to the park.
• Working with the biologist to update the animal files and liaise with the administrator to make sure that all information is up to date on the computers.
• Record observations, deaths, births, and illnesses and learn the behaviours of our birds in the park.
• Manage the daily routines and change them according to the conditions of that day.
• Assure the safety of the volunteers and help them with any problems they might have.
• Organise the calendar of activities, such as bleach days and treatment days and provision and cover for days off.
• Understand the foods that they can and cannot eat and change the daily diet and meal times depending on what is available here in the park.
• Listen to the volunteers, as they might be able to see things that you do not see.
• Oversee the cleanliness of the area and the health of the birds.
• Administer medicine and treatments if necessary and communicate regularly with park vets to ensure that health issues are communicated clearly and are being managed appropriately.
• Carry out, when required, general repairs to your area.
• Ensure that volunteers comply with park rules and report any breaches to the Administrator immediately.
• Ensure the proper usage, safekeeping and return of all park equipment by all area volunteers.
• Ensure that only volunteers assigned to your area are allowed to enter and report to the volunteer coordinator if any individual attempts to enter a prohibited area.
• Attend park meetings as directed by the Administrator or the Park President and maintain a good level of communication with them.
• Monitor the conduct and performance of all volunteers in the area and report to the Administrator or Volunteer Coordinator for any cause for concern or performance related issues.
• Have a full understanding of the emergency procedures in the case of animal attacks, escapes or accidents.
• Maintain a proactive involvement in the management of the group’s diet, including volume of food given and variety.

Conditions

CIWY’s three sanctuaries are located in remote areas of Bolivia and conditions vary. However, our largest bird area is in Machia and therefore you can expect to work in this sanctuary. At Machia there is electricity, internet and water almost always, although some interruptions are possible. You will be living in an international community composed of volunteers and staff from Bolivia and different parts of the world. You can expect to work hard every day. You must be prepared for a work environment that requires great physical effort and demands decisiveness, creativity, ingenuity and adaptability within a context with limited economic and material conditions. You will enjoy the pleasure of taking part in the process of giving a second chance to wildlife rescued from illegal trafficking. Your day to day activities will be focused on maintaining and improving the welfare and quality of life of animals in their process of reintegration into the wild. 

Work hours

Work will include cleaning cages and areas, feeding the animals, construction and volunteer training. The days start at around 7am until 6pm everyday.

You will have one day off per week and 1 week off every 6 months.

Accomodation

Housing conditions are basic since most of our resources are invested in the animals. Machía has accommodation for volunteers and coordinators located approximately 400 meters from the central office and the work areas. This accommodation has bedrooms, a kitchen and a dining room to which the coordinators have access. The bedrooms are shared by up to four people and have straw mattresses and shared bathrooms with hot water available. Although we have electricity and hot water almost always, electricity and water cuts occur occasionally (especially during the rainy season), and therefore, there are days where we do not have water. The Center provides both sheets and pillows. We recommend you bring a sleeping bag for the colder nights, a mosquito net and boots as well as a padlock for the security of your room.

Financial agreement

This position is for a minimum of 6 months. CIWY will provide you with breakfast, lunch and accommodation; CIWY is not in a position to offer a salary. However, if you can stay long term and if you prove that you are of value to the organisation there is a possibility of a small stipend in the future. CIWY asks that any future publications that should arise from your work here include a reference to the organisation.

Experience/Skills required

The candidate should have a strong interest in birds, in their behaviour and their well-being. The candidate should also have at least an intermediate level of English or Spanish speaking, reading and writing abilities and the willingness to learn both languages.