You're doing a routine site walkthrough and notice several things at once; food storage is unsealed, there are signs of rat activity near the gibbon food preparation kitchen, waste disposal has been handled carelessly in a couple of areas, and a volunteer mentions offhand that one of the gibbons has been sneezing for the past day or two. Your team are stretched thin and morale has been low.
If you have ideas on how to approach this scenario — we want to hear from you.
Note: Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend a 3–5 day on-site training as part of the final selection process.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Open for Malaysians only.
- Priority is given to women, single mothers and Indigenous community.
- Holds a diploma or degree in conservation, wildlife biology, animal husbandry or a related discipline.
- Physically fit for fieldwork.
- Strong field data skills – observation, recording, analysis report-writing.
- Grit and resilience — Gibbon Ranger responsibilities are physically and emotionally demanding, we need people who can work under pressure and show up even on hard days.
- Passionate and have strong empathy toward wildlife and animals.
- Strong interest in learning and growing on the job.
- Leadership qualities — able to take initiative and be accountable.
- Comfortable working with and within communities.
- A team player who values collaboration and open communication.
- Practices good personal hygiene and clean-as-you-go habits in all shared spaces.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Rehabilitation Programming
- Co-lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of individualized rehabilitation programs for gibbons alongside the Rehabilitation Manager.
- This includes behavioral assessments, socialization, enrichment, and pre-release conditioning, ensuring alignment with the organization’s rehabilitation protocols and ethical standards.
- Supervise and support Gibbon Rangers in daily husbandry, enrichment, and health monitoring tasks, ensuring adherence to welfare standards and timely documentation.
- Provide guidance, feedback, and on-the-ground training to maintain high-quality care.
Animal Wildlife & Welfare
- Conduct regular welfare assessments and behavior monitoring of all gibbons under rehabilitation.
- Work closely with the veterinarian to coordinate health checks, medical treatments, and follow-up care.
- Oversee the welfare of our guard dogs, ensuring their needs are met in accordance with organizational protocols.
- Maintain a commitment to improving rehabilitation practices through continued education, reflection, and implementation of the latest knowledge in the field.
Data & Reporting
- Contribute accurate and consistent recording of feeding routines, behavior observations, medical notes, and enrichment activities. Ensure data is compiled for reporting, research, and decision-making purposes.
- Co-lead field assessments and pre-release evaluations of candidate gibbons. Coordinate with the rehabilitation team and primatologist on soft-release, release, and post-release monitoring activities.
- Review and improve enrichment and husbandry protocols, promoting natural behaviors and reducing stress.
- Support team innovation in sourcing and preparing browse, enrichment, and enclosure design improvements.
Crisis & Emergency Response
- Lead or coordinate emergency responses involving animal health, escapes, or environmental hazards, ensuring protocols are followed and team are supported.
Facility & Resource Management
- Coordinate and oversee enclosure construction and upgrades in collaboration with the rehabilitation team, ensuring safety, species-specific needs, and rehabilitation goals are met.
- Manage and track monthly rehabilitation budgets, including material purchases, enrichment supplies, and other related expenses.
- Ensure timely procurement of materials, tools, and supplies needed for daily operations and special projects, with proper documentation and accountability.
Training & Capacity Building
- Facilitate internal training and skill-building opportunities for Gibbon Rangers, interns, and volunteers.
- Commit to continued learning and professional development to stay updated with best practices in gibbon rehabilitation and animal welfare.
Collaboration & Communication
- Serve as a key liaison between the Gibbon Ranger and rehabilitation team. Communicate rehabilitation progress, health concerns, and operational needs in a timely manner.
