Wildlife Care and Education Technician - job 1 of 2

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The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is seeking to fill a Wildlife Care and Education Technician vacancy at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray.

DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

WILDLIFE CARE AND EDUCATION TECHNICIAN

Opening Date: October 01, 2025

Closing Date: 12:01 AM October 18, 2025

Location: Maine Wildlife Park - Gray

Position Number: 01850-0041

Class Code: 9331

Grade: 19 (Operations/Maintenance)

Salary: $19.69 - $27.27 Per Hour*

* This is earning potential over the course of nine step increases based on annual performance reviews. New hires typically start at Step 1.

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: Maine Wildlife Park, operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, is seeking a dedicated and skilled professional to join our team as a Wildlife Care and Education Technician. This position provides comprehensive care for captive wildlife while supporting the Park’s mission to educate the public and advance the Department’s broader outreach goals.

This role is both technical and educational: you’ll provide daily care for wildlife, help rehabilitate injured or orphaned animals, maintain and enhance enclosures, and design behavioral enrichment programs. You’ll also engage directly with visitors through presentations, special events, and educational programming. Work is performed under limited supervision and requires initiative, adaptability, and a strong commitment to animal welfare and public engagement.

Job Responsibilities Include:

• Providing daily care for assigned wildlife including diet preparation, medications, enrichment, and medical needs.
• Observing animal behavior, identifying health concerns, and coordinating with supervisors, rehabilitators, and veterinarians.
• Administering veterinarian-approved medications and supporting treatment and rehabilitation of wildlife.
• Designing and implementing nutrition and enrichment programs to ensure the health and well-being of wildlife.
• Inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining wildlife enclosures, displays, and park infrastructure.
• Training and overseeing seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers assisting with wildlife care.
• Assisting with planning and coordinating public events to increase visitation and support fundraising.
• Supporting Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife outreach goals by raising public awareness of conservation and stewardship.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Weekend and holiday work is required on a regular monthly rotation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Care and Education or related field or the equivalent in directly related education, training, and/or experience.

Preference will be given to candidates who have knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:

• Knowledge of wildlife husbandry, behavior, and health monitoring practices.
• Familiarity with the life history, common diseases, and habitat needs of Maine wildlife.

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. 
• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.  
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements. 

• Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value). 
• Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes 14.11% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.  
• Gym Membership Reimbursement– Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense. 
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts– Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses. 
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness– The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office. 
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.  
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions. 
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. 

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work.  Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness.  We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you.  Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

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Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting.  If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.

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