Education Specialist

Title: Education Specialist

Accountability: Reports to Education Manager

Job Classification: Full-Time, salary, exempt

Compensation: $36,000 annual salary

Benefits: Carolina Raptor Center offers a competitive benefits package to eligible employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance. Other benefits include 403(b) retirement plan, and paid time off (PTO).

Work Schedule: Includes regular weekend and/or holiday work

Tentative Start Date: March/April2026

About: Carolina Raptor Center (CRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Huntersville, NC dedicated to raptor rehabilitation, education, and conservation. Our mission is to ignite a passion for raptors and a responsibility for our shared natural world. Our vision is to foster communities where raptors and people thrive thanks to our unique blend of innovation, research, and education. We are a world-class destination for avian rehabilitation and our dedication to the birds in our care provides visitors with a gateway to the natural world.

Values: Excellence – Strive for trusted leadership in the field of raptor rehabilitation, exceptional welfare for our resident birds, and transformational experiences for every person we meet. Sustainability – Employ operational practices that benefit the environment and guarantee the organizational strength to serve the resident birds and our communities for generations to come. Empowerment – Create effective educational experiences that embolden our visitors and our diverse communities to take action in positively impacting our world.

Position Summary:

Carolina Raptor Center is seeking a dedicated Education Specialist to join our Avian Ambassador Team. This full-time position plays a vital role in furthering education and conservation by presenting public and private programming to diverse audiences. The Education Specialist is responsible for daily husbandry operations for ambassador birds as well as creating, scheduling, conducting, and evaluating conservation-based education programs. This role requires strong organizational skills, a proactive approach, and a commitment to education, animal welfare, and teamwork.

Responsibilities:

General – 

• Understands the importance of each guest to Carolina Raptor Center and drives excellence to ensure an optimal experience in every way.
• Exemplifies the Carolina Raptor Center’s Mission Statement and supports staff, departments and leadership in pursuing and achieving goals.
• Performs any other duties needed to help drive to our vision, fulfill our mission, and abide by our values.

Educational Programs and Events – 

• Design, develop, and deliver education programs with live birds, including formal onsite and offsite outreach programs for schools, camps, etc.
• Schedule programs and communicate with teachers and coordinators participating in education programs.
• Engage with visitors through public educational experiences such as Keeper Chats and bird encounters.
• Assist with morning, evening and weekend events, such as International Vulture Awareness Day and Owl-O-Ween.
• Support free-flight bird programs, including seasonal events like Summer Bird Show.
• Assist with evaluation methods for programs and events that maintain data collection efforts.

Animal Husbandry – 

• Prepare and deliver daily diets for birds and administer medications as needed.
• Participate daily in routine husbandry operations, including enclosure cleaning, water changes, enrichment and maintenance in compliance with USDA and other local and federal government regulations.
• Maintain accurate and up to date records in RaptorMed.
• Observe and document avian behavior and health and collaborate with the hospital team and veterinary staff to support avian health care.
• Participate in collection management planning, welfare assessments, and exhibit updates.

Bird Training – 

• Develop and implement individualized training plans for ambassador birds using operant conditioning techniques.
• Train and maintain behaviors for designated ambassador birds, including behaviors for husbandry, medical, and educational needs.

Intern and Volunteer Programs – 

• Manage the Education Intern and lead the growth and development of the Education Internship.
• Assist with onboarding and training volunteers and interns to support daily operations and departmental goals.
• Collaborate with the Education Manager and Volunteer Manager to develop and support Carolina Raptor Center’s docent program.

Requirements:

General Requirements –

• Must have a passion for the mission of Carolina Raptor Center.
• Must submit a standard background criminal background review conducted by CRC.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and ability to operate motorized equipment.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends and federal holidays as needed and scheduled.
• Must be willing to serve all guests equally regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity and/or sexual orientation.
• Must be comfortable working outdoors and in close proximity to wild animals.

Physical Requirements –

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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to perform physical requirements of the position at the most rigorous level.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to handle animals, including capture and restraint of birds weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Frequent walking, standing, bending, lifting, squatting and listening to surroundings.
• Occasional climbing, balancing, and kneeling.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to work around sick and injured birds, potentially hazardous materials, cleaning chemicals, gas anesthetics, zoonotic diseases, and unpleasant odors. If you are immunocompromised or pregnant/planning to become pregnant, you should obtain medical clearance from your physician.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Experience may be substituted for a degree.
• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in education or conservation programming.
• Minimum of 1year of animal husbandry work experience. Can be concurrent with education experience.
• Certified Interpretive Guide and/or Environmental Education Certifications are preferred.
• Knowledge of effective education and interpretation strategies.
• Strong understanding of animal care, handling, and training as well as best practices working with live animals during programs.
• Proficient in animal record-keeping systems and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Work Location & Environment: The Education Specialist works out of the Hospital located at Carolina Raptor Center’s facilities in Huntersville, North Carolina. Programs may be conducted offsite and require operating a cargo van for travel. The regular schedule is Tuesday-Saturday but is subject to change. Travel and weekend or evening work may be required at times. The work environment involves occasional exposure to disagreeable elements, such as extreme heat and cold, and minor physical exertion and/or strain. Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor settings, often in variable weather conditions.