Wildlife Health Technician

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Wildlife Health Technician

Job Profile Title

Research Specialist A

Job Description Summary

The Pennsylvania Wildlife Futures Program has seven full-time wildlife health technicians (prosectors / couriers) to conduct disease surveillance, collect animal specimens and carcasses, accurately record data, and deliver samples to diagnostic laboratories in support of Pennsylvania’s wildlife health programs. Responsibilities focus on surveillance for a wide variety of diseases that affect Pennsylvania’s 480 species of wild birds and mammals.
PLEASE NOTE This position will be assigned to the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s (PGC) Southcentral Region and will regularly report to the regional office in Huntingdon, PA. Employee should establish a work location within the Southcentral Region (Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder, and York Counties) to minimize travel times and ensure efficient sample collection and delivery

Job Description

Responsibilities will include:

• Determine the availability and condition of potential biological samples based on current Wildlife Futures Program and Pennsylvania Game Commission priorities and protocols.
• Identify, collect, and preserve priority carcasses or tissues for diagnostic testing.
• Accurately document carcass collection locations and other essential data, and enter this data into appropriate databases.
• Properly dispose of unwanted or unusable parts and carcasses.
• Deliver or ship required samples to specified diagnostic laboratories and other locations in a timely and secure manner.
• Upload lab results into the appropriate databases and report findings to associated parties (wardens, RPs, rehabilitators, etc.)
• Develop professional and effective communication networks among Pennsylvania Game Commission staff, wildlife rehabilitators, taxidermists, wild game meat processors, animal control officers, nuisance wildlife control operators, veterinarians, and other wildlife stakeholders
• Perform outreach to professional organizations and stakeholder groups to promote the efforts of Wildlife Futures Program and the Pennsylvania Game Commission
• Maintain an orderly work space at the assigned PGC Regional Office: inventory freezers and equipment, keep instruments and work area clean and disinfected, store supplies in an organized manner.
• Maintain clear communications with PGC regional WMS and WFP supervisor: provide weekly and monthly activity reports, attend weekly WHT meetings, participate in ongoing training opportunities
• Perform additional duties as assigned in support of WFP and PGC programs

Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife/Fisheries Science, Biology, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Studies, Pre-Veterinary, Ecology or related field is preferred with 0-1 years of related experience in research or equivalent combination of education and experience. A valid driver's license is required. Employee must have, or be willing to get, rabies pre-exposure vaccination and a current (within 10 years) tetanus vaccination. PennVet will cover this expense, as well as follow-up titer tests and boosters, as needed.

Working Conditions:

Requires extensive safety training , exposure to chemicals, outdoor exposure to weather, requires protective devices, high dust, dirt, grease environment, exposure to moving machinery, extensive travel (>1000 mi./month)

Physical Effort:

Occasional lifting 25-50 lbs., typically standing or walking, typically bending, crouching, stooping, using tools requiring high dexterity

Job Location - City, State

Kennett Square, PennsylvaniaResearch Specialist A

Department / School

School of Veterinary Medicine

Pay Range

$36,368.00 - $50,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile. 

Affirmative Action Statement 
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay