Trainer & Educator, I/II

Trainer & Educator, I/II
Work Hours: 40 hours, 5 days/week, including weekends, some holidays, and evenings

Organization Summary:
Through wildlife rehabilitation and public education, Cascades Raptor Center fosters a connection between people and birds of prey. We are a nature center and wildlife hospital open to the public year-round. The Cascades Raptor Center Resident Care Team strives to exceed the national standards of raptor welfare in every aspect of our daily work.

Position Summaries:
Trainer & Educator positions are public-facing, engaging guests to further Cascades’ mission of connecting the public to wildlife. Cascades’ training staff will assist you in improving your training skills, your programming presentations, and refer you to the latest in best practices in the field. Advancement opportunities are available.

Trainer & Educator I: An entry-level position responsible for carrying out day-to-day husbandry, training, programming, and facility maintenance under the supervision of Senior Trainer and Ambassador Curator, using the highest standards of applied behavioral management and welfare as a guide.

Trainer & Educator II: In addition to the responsibilities of Trainer & Educator I, this mid-level position shares responsibilities for managing interns and volunteers and handles some administrative duties. Trainer & Educator II also acts as an interdepartmental liaison and reports regularly to senior training staff.

Benefits:
Health insurance, paid sick leave, approximately 4.5 weeks paid vacation per year (this includes both rollover PTO and 11 non-rollover personal days per year). PTO accrual increases after the first two years of employment.

Primary Responsibilities & Functions:

Trainer I & II

Ambassador Care & Training (50%)

• Aviary cleaning and facility maintenance
• Diet preparation
• Enrichment development and delivery
• Maintenance of trained wellness, husbandry, and select programming behaviors
• Keeping detailed and complete records of training and programming data
• Regular observation of ambassador raptors and communication with the Ambassador Curator or Senior Trainer & Educator regarding irregularities

Programming (25%)

• In partnership with other training staff and education volunteers, deliver accurate and engaging educational content, with and without ambassador raptors, in both formal and informal settings.
• Engage with general admission guests to make them feel welcome and answer questions.
• Support programming as otherwise directed

Facilities (Trainer I: 25%, Trainer II: 10%)

• Communicate and assist in any repairs, improvements, and modifications of ambassador aviaries.
• Clean and disinfect shared workspaces of the Resident Care Team
• Assist in site improvements, landscaping work, and general maintenance as requested

Trainer II

Interdepartmental Liaison (15%)

• Act as a point of contact between the Resident Care Team and other CRC departments as assigned, for example:
  • Creating and presenting educational content
  • Co-lead the Education Volunteer team
  • Co-manage program scheduling
• Regular reporting to Ambassador Curator

Desired Qualifications:

• Strong belief in the mission and future of Cascades Raptor Center
• Trainer & Educator I: Must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working with birds related to husbandry, training, and enrichment. A combination of education, related volunteer work, and any professional positions in accredited zoological training and management may be considered
• Trainer & Educator II: Must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working with birds related to husbandry, training, and enrichment. A combination of education and any professional positions in accredited zoological training and management may be considered
• Strong preference to those with experience equipping and operating radio and GPS telemetry equipment for free flight training and presentation
• Ability to complete tasks and meet goals with minimal supervision
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate well through written and verbal avenues
• Commitment to giving, receiving, and applying constructive feedback
• Efficiency and flexibility in a fast-paced environment
• A strong foundation in and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, especially as they relate to nonprofit work and the zoological field
• Other duties as assigned
• Possess or be able to obtain a valid Oregon driver’s license

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions: 

• Ability to team-lift and move 50 lbs.
• Work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Capable of being on their feet 6+ hours/day, walking, standing, squatting, kneeling
• Capable of climbing steep terrain, stairs, and ladders; must have a good sense of balance.
• Work with deceased prey items
• Work safely with birds of prey
• Work occasional nights and weekends