Ambassador Curator

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$55,000-$65,000/annually with advancement opportunities

40 hours, 5 days/week, including weekends, some holidays, and evenings.

Through wildlife rehabilitation and public education, Cascades Raptor Center fosters a connection between people and birds of prey. We are a nature center and wildlife hospital open to the public year-round. The nature center offers seasonal, on-site encounters including a flight show, gloved encounters, and curriculum-based school programs. Cascades Raptor Center’s Resident Care Team strives to exceed the national standards of raptor welfare in every aspect of our daily work.

The Ambassador Curator will be a strong believer in Cascades Raptor Center’s pursuit of excellence in welfare, educational impact, and ethical animal care. The Ambassador Curator is a supervisory position responsible for directing the Resident Care Team and overseeing day-to-day operations related to CRC’s living collection, guided by the highest standards of applied behavioral management and welfare. Under the leadership and guidance of the Ambassador Curator, the Resident Care Team maintains a high level of communication, keen observation, interpretation, and responsiveness to animal behavior, as well as attention to detail, efficient workflow structures, and effective time management.

This is a public-facing position requiring daily interaction with guests.

Health insurance, paid sick leave, approximately 4.5 weeks paid vacation per year (this includes both rollover PTO and 11 non-rollover personal days per year). PTO accrual increases after the first two years of employment.

Leadership, Management, & Administration:

• Coordinate and direct the workflow of the RC (Resident Care) Team's daily husbandry, training, and programming duties
• Conduct bi-annual staff performance evaluations
• Lead monthly RC Team meetings
• Oversee compliance and maintenance of standard operating procedures for the Training & Education Department in conjunction with the COO
• Collaborate with other departments as needed to support the success of the Center, through regular meetings, project planning, organizational planning, etc.
• Oversee the RC Team budget with other leadership staff
• Serve as a member of the Emergency Action Plan Team
• Attend board and committee meetings as needed

Animal Care & Training:

• Direct and mentor staff, volunteers, and interns in the management of ambassador husbandry and wellness, including:
  • Aviary cleaning and assessment of maintenance needs
  • Maintenance of training spaces
  • Regular wellness examinations with the staff veterinarian
  • Diet and weight management
  • Monitoring and addressing other care needs
• Direct staff in the management of ambassador training, including:
  • Cooperative care/husbandry behaviors, e.g., weighing, shifting, voluntary care
  • Programming behaviors, e.g., free flight, glove, and equipment
• Maintenance of CRC’s telemetry equipment and ambassador telemetry mounts
• CRC is moving toward reducing and, eventually, eliminating the use of physical restraint (anklets and jesses) wherever possible
• Maintain clear records of the above
• Manage CRC’s living collection through acquisition and disposition in conjunction with the COO and Executive Director

Programming:

• Produce a seasonal Flight Show and Encounters (May – September)
• Oversee the scheduling of private tours and encounters with the public & donors
• Coordinate with the Development Team to produce special events, including tour series, evening events, CRC’s annual fundraiser, and special donor engagement events

• A professional ethos that aligns with the Resident Care Team’s vision of programs that maximize the welfare, autonomy, and impact of the birds…