Wildlife Educator and Ambassador Trainer

About Think Wild

Think Wild is a 501(c)3 non-profit Wildlife Hospital and Conservation Center located in Bend, Oregon. Our mission at Think Wild is to inspire the high desert community to protect and care for native wildlife through education, conservation, and rescue and rehabilitation.

The Position

Think Wild is seeking an hourly, non-exempt Wildlife Educator and Ambassador Trainer based in Central Oregon to support our on- and off-site wildlife education programs. Programs include summer camps, in-school presentations, field trips, guided walks, onsite tours, tabling events, community events, and group visits at the Think Wild campus. This role also assists with the care and training of ambassador animals used in education programming, including a red-tailed hawk and western toad.

As a Wildlife Educator, you will deliver engaging, hands-on programs focused on native wildlife and habitat, helping inspire conservation awareness and environmental stewardship among audiences of all ages. This position focuses primarily on education program delivery, with opportunities to contribute to curriculum development, educational materials, and program improvement over time. The role also supports youth, family, and community volunteers participating in education programs and onsite activities.

This position includes assisting with daily care and training of ambassador animals while following established protocols to ensure animal health, welfare, and safety.

Applicants must be based in Central Oregon and willing to travel within the region, including Bend, Madras, Sisters, Prineville, and surrounding communities. The preferred start date is as soon as possible, with flexible hours depending on availability. Priority will be given to applicants available to work all or most of the Monday–Friday weeks of June 22, July 6, July 20, August 3, and August 17 for summer camps.

This position is up to full-time (32–40 hours per week) during the summer season and part-time during the school year, with opportunity for growth dependent on funding and program demand.

Responsibilities

• Development and delivery of engaging, hands-on wildlife education programs, including summer camps, in-school presentations, field trips, onsite tours, tabling events, workshops, interpretive walks, and community programs that cater to diverse audiences, including students, families, community groups, and the general public.
• Support development and refinement of wildlife education curriculum, activities, and educational materials to ensure programs remain engaging, accurate, and aligned with Think Wild’s mission and regional conservation priorities.
• Represent Think Wild at community events through outreach and tabling, engaging the public in conversations about wildlife coexistence, conservation, and ways to get involved.
• Create educational wildlife content, including social media posts, blogs, website pages, curriculum materials, guides, and other outreach resources.
• Provide care and training support for ambassador animals, including feeding, cleaning, monitoring health and behavior, and maintaining detailed records.
• Ensure ambassador enclosures and habitats meet high standards of cleanliness, safety, enrichment, and animal welfare.
• Coordinate with education partners and program participants on program delivery needs, materials, and scheduling as needed for successful program implementation.
• Reach out to teachers, youth organizations, and community partners to support continued growth of education programs and participation opportunities.
• Train and support volunteers assisting with education and ambassador program delivery.
• Maintain all equipment and supplies needed for programming and ensure proper setup and takedown for education programs, tours, workshops, and community events.

Compensation

The hourly compensation for this role begins at $18-20/hour DOE with mileage reimbursement, cell phone stipend, and paid sick time accrual. 

Benefits include flexible scheduling and some ability to work remotely on a hybrid basis. 

Qualifications

• Earned (or in the process of earning) a college degree relevant to environmental education, elementary education, biology, ecology, natural resources, or a related field
• Minimum of 18 years old
• Knowledge of wildlife conservation, ecology, natural history, native plants, and/or environmental issues.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences.
• Experience in designing and delivering engaging, informative, and experiential educational programs, preferably in a wildlife or environmental education setting.
• Experience working with youth is highly preferred.
• Comfortable handling live animals and adhering to animal welfare guidelines. Experience working with raptors and/or training ambassador animals is highly preferred.
• Proficiency in using multimedia tools and technology for educational purposes.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment.
• Strong organizational and project management skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Flexibility to work weekends, evenings, and travel as required.
• A genuine passion for Central Oregon wildlife, nature, and conservation.

EEO Policy
It is the policy of Think Wild to afford equal volunteer opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizen status, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic or status that is protected by federal, state, or local law.