Field Officer – Snake Conservation in Rajasthan | Wildlife Trust of India

Wildlife Trust of India

Wildlife Trust of India works to protect wild animals and their habitats across the country, and to help people and wildlife live alongside each other safely. Its teams work in forests, villages and towns, often with state Forest Departments, local communities and health services. Much of this work is practical and hands-on: rescuing animals in trouble, training local people, and building systems that keep both animals and people safe. Snakes sit at the heart of one of India's hardest human-wildlife problems, because fear, unsafe handling and delayed medical care cost lives every year. This role sits within WTI's Indian Snake Rescue Network, which builds trained rescuer networks, promotes safe and ethical rescue practices, and works to reduce deaths from snakebite.

Role

This is a field-leading role for someone who wants to change how a whole state handles snakes. You will run the on-ground work in three target districts of Rajasthan, building and supporting a network of trained local snake rescuers, working with the Forest Department to keep the project moving, and reaching communities, schools and health facilities with clear information about snake ecology, snakebite prevention and getting to treatment in time. The work mixes conservation science with everyday practical support: responding to conflict cases, keeping good records, and making sure a rescuer in a village has the skills and backing they need.

Responsibilities

• Lead field level work to reduce human-snake conflict and promote science-based snake conservation across three target districts.
• Coordinate with the Forest Department and other government stakeholders so project work runs smoothly.
• Identify, select, train and certify local snake rescuers across the target districts.
• Coordinate with trained rescuers so reported rescue and conflict cases get a fast response.
• Build rescuer skills in safe, ethical and standardised snake rescue practices, working with the project team at headquarters and subject experts.
• Monitor and record rescue cases, rescuer activity, releases and other field data.
• Support rescuers in adopting and regularly using the snake rescue app.
• Help develop educational material on snakebite prevention, first aid and the importance of getting medical care quickly.
• Run community and school sensitisation programmes on snake ecology, snakebite prevention, safe rescue and timely treatment.
• Work with doctors and health facilities to strengthen snakebite preparedness, referral and access to treatment.
• Support the placing, monitoring and updating of anti-snake venom boxes with the Forest Department and the project lead.
• Help draft, consult on and validate the state-specific snake rescue and conflict mitigation standard operating procedure.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual project reports, maintain project records and photographs, share field updates with the communications team, and work with local media to share project results.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Forestry, Conservation Biology, Environmental Science or a related subject.
• 2 to 4 years of work experience.
• Understanding of snake ecology and safe, ethical handling and rescue practice.
• Experience working on human-wildlife conflict or community-based conservation.
• Comfort working with government departments, especially state Forest Departments.
• Ability to train and mentor local people with varied levels of formal education.
• Willingness to travel and work in the field across three districts, including responding to time-sensitive cases.
• Ability to keep accurate records and databases, and to write clear monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
• Comfort using a mobile app for field data and helping others use it.
• Ability to speak with communities, schools and health staff in plain, respectful language.
• Working knowledge of Hindi for community and government work, along with English for reporting.
• Patience, care and good judgment when working in situations where people are frightened or animals are at risk.

Benefits

• Lead a state-level conservation programme and see the results in the field.
• Work with the Forest Department, health services, schools and community rescuers on a problem that saves human lives and protects wildlife.
• Learn from WTI's headquarters project team and outside subject experts on rescue practice and snakebite management.
• Help shape a state-specific standard operating procedure that will guide snake rescue work beyond your own districts.

Apply

Interested candidates can apply through the link given below

Apply

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