Assistant Feline Coordinator - Jacj Cuisi

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Recruiting Organization: Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi (CIWY)

Do you have experience and a passion for working with wild felines? Work with rescued wildlife in the Bolivian Amazon.

Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi (CIWY) is looking for an Assistant Feline Coordinator for Jacj Cuisi sanctuary, to join our team as soon as possible. The candidate must be highly motivated, with demonstrated experience in managing felines, plus be willing and able to live in a remote area of Bolivia.

Introduction

Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi (CIWY) is a Bolivian NGO, made up of a team of committed Bolivian professionals, Bolivian and international volunteers. Founded in 1992, CIWY was the pioneer of the environmental movement in Bolivia and is recognised nationally and internationally for founding centres dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife. CIWY currently manages three Wildlife Sanctuaries: Machia (Cochabamba), Ambue Ari (Santa Cruz) and Jacj Cuisi (Rurrenabaque, north of La Paz). Each Sanctuary offers refuge to wild animals rescued from trafficking, offering them a better quality of life.

Overview

Jacj Cuisi's 300 hectares border Madidi National Park, a 1.8 million-hectare reserve, lending to its serene beauty. The sanctuary is home to 3 pumas (Puma concolor). Two of the which leave their enclosure to walk through the jungle on cords. The Assistant Feline Coordinator plays a key role in the daily management of the animals, plus trains volunteers to care for the animals.

Description

The role requires autonomy and organisation in carrying out the daily routine, which involves cleaning, preparing food, checking the animals and overseeing the volunteers’ work. The assistant 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

• Support the Feline Coordinator to care for the felines: feeding, cleaning the enclosures, providing enrichment, general maintenance of the area, and management plans.

• Work with the Administrator to update the animal files regularly. Record observations, deaths, births, and illnesses and monitor the behaviour of our felines.

• Manage the daily routines and change them according to the conditions of that day.

• Train and supervise volunteers: teach management protocols, monitor volunteers' conduct and performance, ensure they abide by sanctuary rules and are complete daily observation sheets.

• Take measures to ensure the safety of the volunteers, staff and visitors to the sanctuary.

• Ensure the proper usage, safekeeping and return of all sanctuary equipment by all area volunteers.

• Administer medicine and treatments if necessary. Communicate regularly with park vets from Machía and Ambue Ari to ensure that health issues are being managed appropriately.

• Have a full understanding of the emergency procedures in the case of animal attacks, escapes or accidents.

• Ensure trails are well maintained and marked; update trail maps.

• Carry out, when required, general maintenance and support construction projects.

• Attend sanctuary meetings as directed by the Administrator or the Sanctuary President, and maintain a good level of communication with them.

Conditions

CIWY’s three sanctuaries are located in remote areas of Bolivia and conditions vary. 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.

Commitment and Work Hours

The Assistant Coordinator should commit to a work period of at least 6 months, which commences after the first 2 weeks as a volunteer. The role of comes with the responsibility of overseeing a management area. Usually our coordinators are the first to arrive and last to leave the areas to ensure proper functioning.

Coordinators can expect a work schedule that usually begins at 7 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. The work includes to a large extent: cleaning of enclosures and the area; feeding, diet and enrichment administration; repairs and general maintenance of the area; in addition to training and coordinating volunteers.

Each coordinator works 6 days, and has one day off, per week. Coordinators have a week of vacation every 6 months.

Accommodation

Housing conditions are basic as most of our resources are invested in the animals. There is no limited electricity to power the fridges, dining room, workshop and electronics charging stations, and volunteers and staff currently sleep in one large dorm with bunk beds. There are two ecological toilets with attached showers. A nearby creek is used primarily for relaxing and bathing. Please try to bring biodegradable soaps with you as much of this water directly enters the water system. There is limited mobile phone signal at specific points in the sanctuary, however only with the provider Entel.

Sheets and mosquito nets are provided, but you should bring your own blanket or sleeping bag as it can get very cold at night. The mattresses are made of straw.

Financial agreement

CIWY receives no government funding, the only financial support comes from volunteers and donations. CIWY will provide you with meals and accommodation, however, we are unable to provide any form of remuneration. When applying for this position you must take into account out-of-pocket expenses such as visa procedures and transport costs to the Center. CIWY only supports you with the required paperwork.

Experience/skills required

Candidates should have a strong interest in felines, in their behaviour and their well-being. Candidates must have volunteered or worked with large felines before, preferably with us at CIWY. Candidates need to be physically fit and able to spend a lot of time in the jungle walking with the animals. Candidates should also have at least intermediate English and Spanish speaking, reading and writing abilities.

Stipend ProvidedFalse

Training Provided

Housing Available

Language/Cultral Support AvailableFalse

Wheelchair AccessibleFalse

Fee RequiredFalse

Fee Amount: None

This opportunity is recurring