Ambassador Animal Specialist 1

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for carrying out routine animal husbandry and operational tasks established by the Senior Raptor Trainer.
• Deliver onsite and offsite education programs with ambassador animals focused on conservation to the public while upholding NMWC’s mission statement and showcasing species’ natural behaviors.
• Daily record keeping including but not limited to diet, enrichment and response, medications, significant behavioral or medical updates, and training sessions.
• Provide enrichment according to schedule that stimulates natural behaviors and increases animal welfare.
• Implement operant conditioning training plans as developed with and approved by the Senior Raptor Trainer.
• Provide feedback to the Senior Raptor Trainer on husbandry and operant conditioning training plans.
• Report any outstanding daily care, health, well-being, and enrichment concerns/updates to the Senior Raptor Trainer in a timely manner.
• With other Education Staff, provide oversight of daily work of Education volunteers and interns, directing task schedules and reporting to the Senior Raptor Trainer for questions, concerns, and volunteer/intern progress.
• Complete Quality of Life forms for each ambassador at the designated review period.
• Adhere to applicable USFWS, NMDGF, and USDA standards.

CLASSIFICATION:   Full-time hourly, non-exempt; this position is limited by all NMWC policies and local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.

REPORTS TO:  Senior Raptor Trainer

SUPERVISES:  Interns and Volunteers

WORK HOURS:  Five days/40 hours per week which may include weekends; some nights and holiday work hours required; some travel required including occasional overnight and out of state.

SALARY RANGE: $17.00 – $20.00 per hour

BENEFITS:  Paid Time Off (PTO) 48 hours first year of employment; may be prorated depending on employment start date; Paid Holidays: New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day; Paid Sick Leave (PSL); Monthly Partial Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement ($400 single/$800 married) eligibility begins 30 days from employment start date; Cost of Living Bonus $330 monthly for FY2024-25.

OVERTIME:  Overtime is 1.5x regular hourly rate, with prior written approval of supervisor.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Ambassador Animal Specialist 1 position is an entry level position responsible for maintaining best current management standards of husbandry for our entire live animal collection as part of the Education department. This position will ideally possess experience with training of and enrichment for native species, and will focus equally on mammals, reptiles, and raptors. The applicant must be able to work with potentially dangerous animals in a calm, respectful, and responsible manner and be able to identify issues with animals’ health and training. The correct use of operant conditioning and choice-based training is vital to the applicant’s success.

The Specialist 1, as part of the Education Staff, is responsible for overseeing and evaluating interns and volunteers. This role requires confidence in public speaking and conducting presentations with live animals. This position participates in all aspects of NMWC education programs, including on-site and off-site. The applicant fully supports NMWC’s strategic plan, mission, and core values, is passionate about the organization’s impact, and may represent NMWC at local, regional, and national meetings and conferences.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

AMBASSADOR ANIMALS

• Responsible for the proper care, husbandry, and welfare of NMWC’s ambassador animals including training, enrichment, enclosures, furnishings, diet, and Quality of Life assessments ensuring the highest practical level of animal care.
• Submits updated training plans and procedures for residents to the Senior Raptor Trainer.
• Completes reports including but not limited to daily animal reports, enrichment logs, water quality logs, training logs, medication logs, animal incident reports, etc.
• Report animal care and habitat improvements to the Senior Raptor Trainer as appropriate.
• Actively observes animals’ behaviors, checking for signs of illness or disorder; reports any irregularities and abnormal behavior to the Senior Raptor Trainer or Staff Veterinarian.
• With the Education team, collaborates with veterinarian and hospital staff concerning animal health; assists with medical procedures and examinations as necessary.
• Participates in staff and training meetings and reports to the Senior Raptor Trainer as required.
• Participates in discussion of acquisition and disposition of ambassador animals.

EDUCATION PROGRAM

• Plays an active role in welcoming and hosting program participants and visitors, responding to questions concerning ambassador animals.
• Perform daily animal presentations to guests with multiple animal species showcasing their natural behaviors.
• Maintains working knowledge of all NMWC education programs.
• Ensures the accuracy, relevancy, and quality of education program content.
• Supports NMWC’s administrative, communication, and fundraising functions.

FACILITIES

• Inspect, identify, communicate, and solve with the Education team any maintenance repairs needed for the safety of animals, visitors, and staff as well as overall upkeep of the facilities.
• Maintains adequate stock of ambassadors’ diets and maintenance supplies. Reports low quantities to the Senior Raptor Trainer.
• Other duties include but are not limited to hauling water/supplies, snow removal, grounds maintenance, dealing with local wildlife, organizing storage facilities, unloading hay/straw/produce deliveries, and maintaining clean employee areas.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 1-year volunteer or intern experience working with wild animals: husbandry, training, and enrichment with demonstrated knowledge of safe handling of potentially dangerous animals is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Environmental Education, Wildlife Management, or related field required.
• A combination of education, related internship/volunteer work, and experience may be considered.
• A passion for NMWC’s mission of connecting people and wildlife through conservation and education and rehabilitation.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, learn and collaborate with other staff, and approach training, grounds maintenance, and general issues that arise with a positive attitude.
• Ability to tactfully handle stressful situations, negotiate and resolve conflicts, maintain confidentiality and to respect and observe organizational protocol.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak clearly in English with a demonstrated proficiency and comfort with public speaking.
• Ability to lift and/or move 50 lbs and able to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Possess or ability to obtain a valid New Mexico driver’s license.
• Able to work a flexible work schedule and adjust as needed.

DESIRED SKILLS

• 1+ years’ experience working with wild, captive mammals.
• Enclosure maintenance and ability to build enclosure furniture.
• Ability to use and proficiency in safe use of power tools.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel).
• Excellent organizational, writing and communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task and work well alone or with others in a team environment.
• Flexibility; able to adjust plans quickly and efficiently to respond to needs of the ambassador animals, facility, and visitors.
• Excellent time management skills; complete tasks on time.
• Able to identify and correct operational problems quickly; able to think logically and solve problems and make decisions often with minimal guidance.
• Experience delivering conservation/environmental education programs.
• Spanish fluency.

NMWC ENVIRONMENT

• A workplace that is understanding, supportive, and flexible.
• Potential for cross-training with the hospital.
• Autonomy in training, with prior demonstrated competency in methods and Senior Raptor Trainer approval of training plan.
• A respectful approach to working with the ambassadors and the foundation of choice-based training.
• A Center dedicated to its mission of rehabilitation, release, and conservation through ambassador education.

EEO STATEMENT:  NMWC is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law. New Mexico Wildlife Center is an at will employer and all NMWC employees are subject to employment eligibility and background security checks as well as testing for illegal substance use as allowed by law.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. A large percentage of duties are performed outdoors in various weather conditions, ranging from rain, wind, snow, cool to cold weather, and extreme heat.  It is possible the employee will be exposed to dust and harsh chemicals that if not handled properly may present a health hazard.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and to talk or hear. Use computer hardware and software for extended periods of time (repetitive motion).  Sitting for long periods of time.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Specific auditory acuity to identify animal noises indicating distress, aggression, pain and other conditions and behaviors; to hear warning signals from safety and security alarms and/or warning signals; to detect sounds associated with malfunctions in mechanical equipment and systems. Must possess sufficient manual dexterity, strength and ability to rotate wrists, elbows and shoulders to operate manual cranks, and pulleys and to use manual and power tools commonly used in routine maintenance. The incumbent must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

The work environment may be exposed to inclement weather; pollen, mold, dust, dirt and other airborne contaminants; and temperature variations. Must be able to safely handle live animals and tolerate exposure to animal dander, animal wastes and other zoonotic contaminants. Must be able to work in close proximity to native wildlife species. Must be able to wear all required protective clothing and equipment.

Note: Employees in this classification may be required to have COVID vaccination; tetanus vaccination; maintain and/or receive rabies vaccination; and additionally, may be required to maintain current CPR and First Aid certification

DISCLAIMER:  This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee within this role.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of an employee in this position.