Raptor Ambassador Bird Trainer and Educator

Raptor Ambassador Bird Trainer and Educator

Job Title:

Raptor Trainer and Educator

Organization:
Ojai Raptor Center

Location:

Ojai, CA (In-Person)

Reports to:

Education Program Manager

Employment Type:

Full-Time, Non-exempt

Salary:
Starting hourly rate commensurate with experience (+/- $29 p.h)

Schedule:

40 hours per week, including weekends and occasional holiday scheduling.

Closing Date:
February 15, 2026

Ojai Raptor Center (ORC) is a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of native wildlife, focusing on birds of prey. Located in Ojai, California, ORC also provides environmental education to inspire conservation and stewardship and supports raptor conservation through research and community engagement. ORC serves thousands of community members annually through education programs, tours, and outreach initiatives, and operates as a collaborative, mission-driven workplace.

The Raptor Trainer and Educator is responsible for the care and training of the ambassador bird collection, the maintenance and cleaning of ambassador aviaries and holding areas, and the presentation of high-quality informal and formal educational messaging. This position requires strong, respectful working relationships with both the ambassadors and human co-workers. Team members coordinate daily work activities with the overarching goal of providing the highest level of health and welfare for the raptors in the collection.

This is a hands‑on role suited to a detail‑oriented, compassionate professional who is enthusiastic about choice‑based training and comfortable presenting to guests of all ages in a professional, engaging manner with a shared vision to expand and strengthen the educational experiences that support the organization’s mission.

• Develop and carry out training programs for ambassador animals in collaboration with the Education Program Manager, ensuring that training goals align with current education programming, ambassador capabilities, and overall departmental priorities.
• Conduct training using the least intrusive, most positive methods to influence behavior.
• Prepare ambassador diets and train or supervise volunteers, interns, or other personnel in proper diet preparation protocols.
• Observe ambassador health and behavior and promptly report concerns to the veterinarian and appropriate staff. Ensure medications are refilled, administered, and documented as required.
• Develop and maintain enrichment for education ambassadors.
• Maintain clear and accurate documentation of training plans, progress notes, and significant changes in ambassador behavior or readiness, using shared department systems, and communicate updates regularly with relevant staff.
• Oversee mew cleaning and maintenance, including developing cleaning schedules and protocols, and identifying repair or improvement projects.
• Manage daily diet records and maintain accurate online documentation.
• Train and guide volunteers and interns assisting with ambassador care, training, cleaning, maintenance, enrichment, and related tasks, following established protocols and maintaining clear professional boundaries and consistent communication with education staff.
• Participate in the assessment of current ambassadors and potential acquisitions.
• Identify maintenance and safety issues and help facilitate their resolution.
• In coordination with the staff veterinarian, manages regular health checks of education ambassadors.
• Participate in identifying volunteers to assist with ambassador care

Educational programming content, learning objectives, and guest-facing messaging are developed collaboratively within the education team, this position supports the delivery and implementation of those programs.

• Participate in educational programming, including in-person tours and experiences, virtual programs, and additional presentations as directed.
• Assist in editing educational materials as needed.
• Assist in the development and implementation of education outreach programming to communities and schools.
• Assist with setup, teardown,…