Ambassador Program Supervisor

Location:

Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, Boyce, VA

Position Type:
Full-Time, Salaried

Base Salary: $60,000

Blue Ridge Wildlife Center (BRWC) provides wildlife rehabilitation services, educational programs, professional training, and actively contributes to scientific research on local wildlife diseases and environmental threats. BRWC has been providing excellent wildlife care and rehabilitation, public awareness and education, training wildlife veterinarians, rehabilitators, and educators, and contributing to One Health Research since 2000. BRWC also houses and cares for a unique ambassador animal collection of 20-25 reptiles, birds, and mammals, who are essential to providing educational programs and wildlife conservation awareness to the public.

The Ambassador Program Supervisor oversees the care, training, and educational programming for non‑releasable wildlife ambassadors, as well as providing necessary mentorship and training to education & outreach staff. This role ensures compliance with best practices in ambassador training and welfare while expanding and refining ambassador‑based outreach and education. BRWC’s ambassador animal collection currently includes Virginia opossums, red fox, striped skunks, fish crow, great horned owl, turkey vulture, black vulture, red‑tailed hawk, peregrine falcon, American kestrel, eastern rat snake, and several turtle species.

• Oversee the husbandry, health, and general wellbeing of the ambassador collection and communicate concerns with veterinary staff as appropriate
• Oversee and assist with training of the animal ambassadors, including training new behaviors and maintaining current behaviors using positive reinforcement techniques that promote high welfare and standards of care
• Be familiar with and maintain industry best practices as they apply to ambassador animal training and husbandry
• Oversee and assist with training plans for each behavior and with logging and recording training sessions
• Update educational programming to meet Virginia SOLs and incorporate training into educational programs
• Train education team members in animal training, husbandry, enrichment, and record keeping
• Lead the ambassador animal care team (staff and volunteers) and be a liaison between education staff, other department staff, and upper management
• Create standard operating procedures to ensure quality animal care, safety, and cleanliness
• Assist, help, and communicate with maintenance and grounds department for enclosure and education area upkeep and projects as needed
• Serve as a resource for development of new skills, processes, and professional growth for staff
• Maintain our positive work environment by effectively communicating with the team, promoting inclusive culture, and prioritizing department efficiency, growth, and teamwork
• Represent BRWC at professional conferences, workshops, and networking events

• Minimum of five years of paid experience in animal training, care, and enrichment, preferably ambassador birds and mammals or comparable taxa and experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of behavioral management, including operant conditioning, environmental enrichment, and training techniques
• Experience in team management and educational programming
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences
• Strong public speaking skills and ability to effectively educate the public
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings, as needed
• Extensive bird‑of‑prey experience highly preferred
• Certified Professional Bird Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPBT‑KA), Certified Avian Behavior Consultant (CABC), or Avian Care and Behavior Specialist (ACBS) preferred
• Active membership in The International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE) preferred
• Proficiency with computer software, Google Suite preferred

• Have a valid Driver’s License
• Have (or are able and willing to obtain within 2 weeks of starting) updated rabies vaccination or titer

• Please send your resume, cover letter, and professional references to (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).