Brandi Highsmith
Fallbrook,CA
Summary
Passionate and driven in regards to animal welfare education. Willing to learn the roles and responsibilities in animal welfare law, protection and services.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
California Condor Program Care Specialist
San Diego Wildlife Park
01.2024 - Current
- Assisted in successful endangered species breeding programs by closely monitoring animal behavior, health, and interactions.
- Contributed to research projects focused on animal behavior, reproductive success, or environmental factors affecting species populations.
- Assisted in the safe capture, restraint, and transport of animals when necessary for medical procedures or relocation purposes.
- Ensured compliance with all regulations governing the ethical treatment of animals under zoo care standards.
- Maintained detailed records on breeding outcomes, contributing to the overall improvement of the program.
- Collaborated with conservationists to develop breeding programs that supported endangered species recovery efforts.
- Partnered with academic institutions to facilitate research collaborations that advanced our understanding of ecosystem dynamics and informed conservation practices.
- Monitored populations of endangered species, contributing valuable data to recovery plans aimed at ensuring their long-term survival.
Avian Refuge Property Manager
EFBG
07.2023 - Current
- Managed moderately sized staff and interns
- Prioritized animal welfare and regulations
- Research development of nutritional-based requirements per specie
- Hand rearing of avian species
- Anticipation of veterinary care, welfare and adequate environment
- Maintained compliance of USDA requirements
- Proactive in obtaining non profit 501C future goals
- Provided structure and goals for all employees including 1 on 1's, personal goals, time management and future achievements
- Monitored daily enrichments and requirements for all specie
- DNA sampling
- Bird banding
- Oversight to funding and expenses
- Maintained onsite property including maintenance, repairs and improvements
- Verified and accounted for all payroll
Rehabilitation Technician
International Bird Rescue
02.2019 - Current
- Provide oversight and direction to all volunteers, release evaluations, banding and banding log, aging/ sexing appropriately and species identification
- Responded to over 6 spills and crashes
- Assisted in scientific necropsy research in cormorants
- Maintain and update daily patient records via Raptor Med and OWRMD
- Working in compliance with OWCN and assistance in spill response and triage
- Veterinary assistance including anesthesia monitoring, surgical assistance, blood collection, fecal smears and usage of controlled drugs
- Perform radiographs and correct identification of issue
- Date and sample collecting from oiled wildlife according to organization regulations
- Humane and thoughtful euthanasia
- Maintaining professional and informative demeanor to the public during outreach programs, during intake and over the phone
- Administer medical treatments including IV fluids, SQ fluids, oral and injectable medications
- Stabilization of incoming wildlife including triage, immediate removal of fishing line/hooks and immediate wound care, splints and wraps
Exotic Urgent Care Technician
Avian, Access Emergency And Specialty Veterinary Hospital
02.2021 - 07.2023
- Immediate triage and stabilization of incoming patients, assessing severity of visit
- Proper handling and restraint of exotic animals
- Monitor/induce/maintain anesthetic patients and assist in preparing for procedures
- Drug calculations
- IV catheter placement including IV and IO
- All aspects of nursing care including pre and post operative care
- Radiographs and other imaging, including endoscopy
- Blood collection, blood transfusions, fecal smears and gram stains
- Maintaining proper client conversation and communicating effectively
- Proper and compassionate care when discussing euthanasia with pet owners
- Proper and compassionate conversation when going over correct diet, environment and handling of exotic pets with owners
Species Specialist
Corvid Connection
06.2018 - 07.2019
- Provide daily husbandry for permanent resident species including ravens, crows, jays, magpies and owls
- Observation and monitoring of all species behavior and physical condition
- Oversee and create daily enrichment activities for all permanent resident corvids and raptors
- Fecal smears pulled and diagnosed weekly
- Assist with medical procedures including medical, oral and ocular treatments
- Preparation of diets, disinfecting of aviary's and general maintenance
- Oversee daily operations and support for all staff
- Assist in preparation for education programs by jessing birds, preparing travel enrichment and travel carriers
Rotating Keeper
Potawatomi Zoo
05.2017 - 05.2018
- Daily Husbandry of all species including large carnivores, hoofstock, raptors, amphibians, reptiles and mammals
- Prepare supplementary diet and enrichment items throughout the day
- Assisted in Operant Conditioning for carnivores and mammals
- Creation of zoo fact sheets to be displayed throughout park
- Follow all AZA guidelines and procedures
- Assisting in education events
Aviary Assistant
Washington Park Zoo
05.2017 - 05.2018
- Assisted with feeding and safety of free-flight cockatiels and parakeets, kookaburras and cockatoos
- Monitored visitors to sustain animal and human safety and protect park property
- Responded to emergencies involving bird escapes
- Performed general maintenance and cleaning of zoo facilities and the park grounds
- Assisted in Gift Shop when needed, including inventory and ticket sales
Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician
Humane Indiana Wildlife
11.2016 - 03.2018
- Admit native Indiana mammals, reptiles and amphibians including migratory birds that were ill, injured or orphaned
- Administer medical treatments including subcutaneous fluid therapy, IM injections, oral medications, fluids by mouth, and euthanasia
- Worked with veterinary staff to arrange for off sight species appointments, euthanasia, treatment schedules and therapy
- Conducted husbandry of 1,600/yr
- Native wildlife patients a year for release back into their natural environment and up to 20 educational/ non-releasable species
- Keep accurate records of species, including their behavior and medical charts
- Training of 1 staff member, 40 volunteers and up tointerns
- Assisted in educational outreach programs onsite and offsite
- Helped train volunteers for release and foster care team
Education
Bachelor of Science - Animal Nutrition and Behavior
Unity University
Bachelor of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences - Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
Oregon State University
Corvallis, ORSkills
- Critical Thinking
- Diagnostic Evaluation
- Blood Sample Collection
- Rehabilitation Support
- Patient Education
- Business Development Understanding
- Active Listening
- Customer Relations
- Records Preparation
- Conflict Mediation
- Problem-Solving Ability
Accomplishments
- Supervised large team of staff and volunteers in a multitude of 501c organizations.
- Used varieties of software to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Collaborated with team of 6 in the development of rehabilitate and release Western and Clarks Grebe chicks.
- Apart of the OWCN oil spill and response team.
- Demonstrated skill and career growth by being promoted 6 times in 5 years.
- Spoke on behalf of International Bird Rescues rehabilitation protocol of Grebes at Gulf Coast Wildlife's symposium.
Timeline
California Condor Program Care Specialist
San Diego Wildlife Park
01.2024 - Current
Avian Refuge Property Manager
EFBG
07.2023 - Current
Exotic Urgent Care Technician
Avian, Access Emergency And Specialty Veterinary Hospital
02.2021 - 07.2023
Rehabilitation Technician
International Bird Rescue
02.2019 - Current
Species Specialist
Corvid Connection
06.2018 - 07.2019
Rotating Keeper
Potawatomi Zoo
05.2017 - 05.2018
Aviary Assistant
Washington Park Zoo
05.2017 - 05.2018
Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician
Humane Indiana Wildlife
11.2016 - 03.2018
Bachelor of Science - Animal Nutrition and Behavior
Unity University
Bachelor of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences - Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
Oregon State University
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