Wildlife HOSPITAL VOLUNTEER ROLES

It takes a big heart and real dedication to be a volunteer at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. Our hospital relies on a strong team of volunteers to assist our vets and veterinary nurses to care for our sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.

We are looking for individuals with a positive, team-player attitude who are able to make a minimum 6-month, weekly commitment to the program. If you do not have 6 month availability, we kindly ask that you do not apply.

In addition, all volunteers must be able to meet the following criteria:

Aged 18 years or older with easy access to email
A moderate level of fitness
An understanding that you will be exposed to animals, dust and vegetation. These may cause health concerns for those who suffer from allergies
An awareness that you will be working in an environment where surgical procedures are conducted and with sick and injured animals, some of which will require euthanasia

Please note: Hospital staff are not authorised to assist volunteers with credit towards tertiary qualifications (e.g. signing off competencies etc.).

Volunteer Roles

Hospital Reception Volunteer
Animal Rehabilitation Volunteer
Wildlife Ward Volunteer
Hospital Facilities Volunteer
Animal Kitchen Volunteer
Animal Ambulance Volunteer
Wildlife Deck Liaison Volunteer
Pottsville Koala Rehabilitation Volunteer

There are so many ways you can help, from assisting with laundry duties, answering phone calls, cleaning enclosures, animal food prep and supporting our staffing with the nursing care of wildlife.

Applications for each role open and close depending on our availability, so if the role most suited to you is currently closed, just keep checking the website on a regular basis.

1. hospital reception volunteer

The first point of contact for our wildlife hospital is at Reception. As such, Reception Volunteers play an important role in representing Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.

Tasks include:

Answering phone calls, liaising with wildlife care/rescue groups and assisting with the admission of wildlife
Ensuring the reception area is well presented
Assisting with additional administrative duties, including scanning

Selection criteria:

Being friendly and welcoming; in person and on the phone
Good computer skills and an excellent phone manner
Ability to confidently interact with members of the public, contractors and wildlife care and rescue groups
Ability to remain calm in a noisy, fast-paced and emergency environment
Previous admin experience is highly desirable, along with local area knowledge

2. ANIMAL REHABILITATION VOLUNTEER

A largely outdoors role, this round requires a high level of fitness and willingness to get your hands dirty. Many of our patients, including koalas, waterbirds, raptors and turtles take several months before being fit for return to the wild. Rehabilitation Volunteers play a key role in assisting with this journey.

Tasks include:

Setting up, cleaning and maintaining outdoor enclosures
Assisting with the feeding of koalas and food preparation for other species
Communicating patient observations with the veterinary nurse
Recording data as directed by the nurse

Selection Criteria:

Ability to work unsupervised following direction from the supervising nurse
Willing and able to work outdoors in all weathers
Physically capable of carrying loads up to 10kg and stand and walk for long periods of time

3. Wildlife Ward Volunteer

Wildlife Ward Volunteers work closely with Vet Nurses in caring for our most critical patients.

Tasks include:

Cleaning and maintaining indoor enclosures
Communicating patient observations with the veterinary nurse
Recording patient weights as directed by the nurse
Assisting nurses in the restraint and handling of wildlife, including birds, small mammals and reptiles (once trained)

Selection criteria:

Physically capable of standing for long periods of time
Ability to remain calm when working within a very fast-paced, intense environment and with injured wildlife, some of which may have sustained significant trauma
Ability to adapt to sudden changes in tasks depending on the number of patients in care
Ability to work with limited supervision and strictly follow checklists provided

4. Hospital facilities volunteer

Volunteers in this role are our unsung heroes. This is a vital role that ensures our injured wildlife have a clean and comfortable environment to recuperate within.

Tasks include:

Performing laundry duties and restocking medical supplies as directed
Sorting public donations of goods
General cleaning of the facility areas

Selection criteria:

Understanding of the value of linen preparation to the Hospital
Ability to work indoors and outdoors within the laundry area and follow checklists in a timely and positive manner
Physically capable of handling loads of laundry and standing for long periods of time

5. Animal Kitchen Volunteer

Injured wildlife bought to the hospital by the public go through several stages of treatment and rehabilitation before they are fit to return to the wild. One thing they all have in common is the need to be fed!

Tasks include:

Preparing food for hospitalised patients under the instruction of the wildlife nurse
Cleaning of kitchen utensils, dishes, animal transport carriers and the general kitchen area
Interacting with our sanctuary guests on the deck over quiet periods

Selection criteria:

Diligence in animal food preparation and kitchen presentation
Ability to work responsibility within a kitchen environment, safely using all equipment, including food processors
Ability to work alone and complete daily checklists in a timely manner
Ability to safely use cleaning liquids and cleaning equipment
Ability to stand for 5 hrs and work within a busy environment

6. Animal ambulance volunteer

Our volunteer-manned ambulance is essential in the transport of wildlife to and from our hospital. We operate two volunteer ambulances Monday – Friday and one ambulance on weekends.

Tasks include:

Collecting contained injured wildlife from vet clinics and members of the public, delivering animals to wildlife carers and releasing or reuniting wildlife
Restocking the vehicle and conducting general cleaning of the vehicle after daily use
Driving the ambulance safely, efficiently and courteously at all times
Interacting with members of the public, fellow volunteers, veterinary staff and wildlife carers

Selection criteria:

Must hold an Open Queensland driver’s license and represent the Wildlife Hospital in a positive and professional manner at all times
Commitment to following road rules and ability to follow instructions efficiently
Understanding that you will be operating the ambulance alongside another volunteer and a willing to alternate between driving and being the passenger
Proficiency in the use of maps and mobile phones
Familiarity with the Gold Coast is highly desirable
Understanding that some of the wildlife you collect may be injured and critical
Willing to learn basic wildlife handling skills
Physically capable of carrying loads up to 5kg

7. Wildlife Deck Liaison Volunteer

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary guests can see what we do within the Hospital from the back deck through our glass walls. Deck liaison volunteers are our public relations superstars, and connect Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary guests with Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, through educating and promoting the work of the hospital.

Tasks include:

Informing guests about the animals currently being treated within the hospital, as seen from the deck
Educating guests about how we care for our injured wildlife and how they can help
Promoting the different fundraising pathways on which the hospital relies
Maintaining the appearance of the deck and restocking promotional materials and resources

Selection criteria:

Ability to interact positively with Sanctuary guests, including individuals of all nationalities
Familiarity with Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary exhibits and the layout of the Sanctuary is highly desirable
Familiarity with the local area, with a basic knowledge of Australian native wildlife
Pride in the presentation of the deck area involving duties such as sweeping, dusting and restocking of materials
Ability to stand for a four-hour shift

8. Pottsville Koala Rehabilitation Volunteer

This new role is based at our offsite koala rehabilitation facility in Pottsville, which functions as an overflow for many of our longer-term hospital koalas.

Tasks include:

Setting up, cleaning and maintaining outdoor enclosures
Assisting with the feeding of koalas
Communicating patient observations with the veterinary nurse
Collaborating and recording data as directed by the nurse
Assisting with general grounds maintenance

Selection criteria:

Able to attend the Pottsville site on a weekly basis
Physically capable of carrying loads up to 10kg and standing for long periods of time
Able to work outdoors in all weathers
Able to work well with others and unsupervised
Flexible with shift times depending on the number of patients in care
Able to source own transport to and from the site

Shift Times

Shifts run 7 days per week at the following times:

Visitor Interaction

10am to 2pm

Ambulance

8:30am to 2:30pm (Ambulance 1) and 10am to 4pm (Ambulance 2)

Pottsville

9:30am to 12pm and 12pm to 4pm (flexible)

All Other Roles

8am to 1pm (Morning shift) and 1pm to 5pm (Afternoon shift)

apply now - the recruitment PROCESS

Due to the high volume of volunteer applications, there are a number of steps in our hospital volunteer recruitment process to ensure you will a strong match to the volunteering vacancy and will enjoy your new role. Please note that we have limited volunteer positions available, and no guarantee of acceptance can be given.

You can check our volunteer vacancies by clicking the link below. If the field is empty this means there are no current vacancies. Applications for each role open and close depending on our availability, so if the role most suited to you is currently closed, just keep checking the website on a regular basis.

After you apply online your volunteer application will be screened by our volunteer recruitment team. Suitable candidates will be contacted via phone or email to further explain the role, confirm your availability and discuss the selection criteria.

All volunteers who are successful with the initial stages will need to complete three trial shifts to ensure the role is a good fit for both you and our team. Volunteers will also be required to complete three online Workplace Health and Safety training modules.

Successful volunteers will be required to pay a registration fee of $45, to cover the cost of your volunteer shirt and name badge. All successful volunteers will be granted a National Trust membership and join our family of over 150 hospital volunteers!

Thank you again for your interest in helping us care for the animal patients of Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. We hope to welcome you to our Wildlife Hospital Volunteer Program sometime soon!