Director, Eyes Sky

Mission Statement

Santa Barbara Audubon Society protects area birdlife and habitat and connects people with birds through education, conservation, and science.

The key education program of Santa Barbara Audubon Society (SBAS) is Eyes in the Sky (EITS), featuring live raptors no longer capable of surviving in the wild. EITS is housed at the SBAS Aviary at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (SBMNH). At the SBMNH, schools, and other venues, these raptors delight and educate people of all ages about local birds and their habitat.

Established in 2000, EITS is a volunteer-based program funded through donations, grants, sponsorship, events, and fees charged for presentations and programs. As there is strong demand for wildlife education in the Santa Barbara area, SBAS seeks a director with experience in raptor handling to oversee the EITS aviary and education outreach activities.

Director, Eyes in the Sky

The EITS Director is a part-time employee of the Santa Barbara Audubon Society (SBAS), reporting to the Executive Director of SBAS and ultimately to the Board of SBAS, carrying out its mission, policies, and programs. This is a non-exempt, hourly, at-will position. Generally, hours are 1:00-5:00 pm, five days a week; the hours and the two days off per week can vary.

Two weeks paid vacation per year, 40 hours of sick time, and 6 paid holidays are included. All are based upon a four-hour workday.

Compensation range is $30 - $40 per hour; will be commensurate with experience.

• Responsible for the health and welfare of live raptors housed in the SBAS Aviary at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. This includes preparing and delivering raptor diets, training or assisting in the training of captive raptors, transporting them for veterinary appointments, and health maintenance such as beak and talon trims. Directs and designs any enhancements to the aviary and oversees any maintenance required.
  
  Ensures the aviary is sufficiently stocked with relevant equipment, supplies and raptor food as necessary.
• Recruits (if necessary), trains, organizes and supervises the EITS aviary assistant, an SBAS staff member who can deputize for the Director on days when the Director is absent from the aviary.
• Recruits, trains, organizes, and supervises volunteers who support EITS as raptor handlers, public presenters, and in other capacities as Director sees fit.
• Organizes and oversees EITS community engagement, educational outreach to schools, senior centers, environmental organizations, etc., and collects donations generated by the programs. This may include transporting birds to offsite venues within the Santa Barbara area.
• Organizes and works with a Steering Committee of senior-level volunteers for EITS.
• Keeps state and federal licenses and permits for the raptors up to date, including recordkeeping and data entry in compliance with permit requirements. Submits required reports.
• Serves as liaison with the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
• Collaborates with SBAS to produce marketing and communications about EITS.
• Responsible for submitting EITS news to the editor for El Tecolote, the quarterly SBAS newsletter.
• Attends Audubon Board meetings quarterly and the Board Retreat annually.
• Works with the Executive Director and treasurer on EITS expenditures and budget planning.
• Required to transport raptors and carrying crates, as needed.
• Performs other essential duties that may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position.

• 2 years’ minimum experience in the handling, care, and maintenance of live raptors; 5 years’ experience or master falconer preferred.
• Leadership ability, administrative experience, and organization and communication skills sufficient to direct a program of the size and scope of EITS (budget about $70,000 per year, approximately 25 volunteers).
• Experience in community engagement and educational outreach, teaching, or other roles with an emphasis on public communication.
• Enthusiasm for educating people of all ages about raptors.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications--Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.
• Ab…