Ambassador Animal Program Director

NMWC MISSION: NMWC connects people and wildlife through conservation education and rehabilitation because a world with wildlife is a better world. 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Responsible for ensuring daily husbandry and training of raptors and other Ambassador Animals is conducted in accordance with best current practices
  2. Manages all aspects of the education program including personnel, budget, program, facilities, and animal collection 
  3. Ensures proper record keeping and adherence to permit requirements 

CLASSIFICATION:   Full-time, salaried, exempt

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

SUPERVISES: Education staff, interns, and volunteers 

WORK HOURS: Five days per week, typically Wednesday through Sunday 8:00am until 4:30pm; some nights and holiday work hours are required; some in-state travel required

SALARY RANGE: $60,000 – $80,000 (DoE)

BENEFITS: Partial health insurance reimbursement, PTO, paid Holidays, Paid Sick Leave, Flex Time, FMLA

OVERTIME: N/A

POSITION SUMMARY

The Ambassador Animal Program Director is a key member of the NMWC leadership team. The position directs all aspects of NMWC’s education program and is accountable for the successful execution of programs, policies, and procedures in accordance with NMWC operational plans. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining best current practice standards of husbandry and training for NMWC’s Ambassador Animals. The position requires confidence in public speaking and the presentation of wildlife education programming. The position represents NMWC to the public and professionally through meeting and conference presentations. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

PERSONNEL

  • Supervises, trains, and evaluates education staff, interns and volunteers 
  • Leads regularly scheduled education staff meetings
  • Establishes and maintains clear and open communication
  • In collaboration with the Executive Director, hires new staff

ADMINISTRATION 

  • Is a member of the NMWC leadership team, serves as Manager on Duty as scheduled, and ensures goals for the education program are met 
  • Maintains consistent application of NMWC policies and procedures
  • Provides reports to the Executive Director
  • Supports NMWC’s administrative, communication, fundraising, and hospital functions
  • Participates in emergency response
  • Assists in the development of the annual budget and manages the education budget
  • In cooperation with the Executive Director seeks out and applies for grant funding
  • Other duties as assigned

AMBASSADOR ANIMALS

  • Oversee the husbandry, training, and welfare of NMWC’s Ambassador Animals
  • Ensures accurate animal care records and federal and state permits are maintained
  • Collaborates with staff veterinarian and hospital team to ensure animal health
  • Leads in collection planning and acquisition as well as Quality of Life assessments
  • Maintain animal enclosures and related facilities in the best condition possible, performs minor repairs, and recommends additions, renovations, repairs, and replacement 

EDUCATION PROGRAM

  • Plays an active role in welcoming, hosting and educating visitors at NMWC
  • Along with other education staff presents on and off-site education programs
  • Identifies opportunities for new audiences and increased public engagement
  • Oversees safe use, maintenance and storage of equipment, supplies, chemicals, and tools  
  • Ensures that grounds, education facilities and animal enclosures are visually inspected daily for cleanliness, safety, security and general condition

DESIRED SKILLS

  • Extensive experience in raptor training and husbandry 
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills (proficient in MS Office, Word, Excel)
  • Initiative, imagination, and creativity related to wild animal care and education programming
  • Ability to multi-task, working alone or in a team environment
  • Strong supervisory and people skills
  • Ability to adjust plans quickly to the needs of Ambassador Animals, facility and visitors
  • Excellent problem solving, decision making, and conflict resolution skills 
  • Experience with risk management
  • Basic facility and grounds maintenance skills
  • Experience with event planning is a plus 

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in related field or experience in combination with or in lieu of degree
  • Minimum 3-years professional raptor training experience required
  • Must be able to read, write, and speak clearly in English, Spanish fluency desirable
  • Working knowledge of zoonotic diseases, prevention, and familiarity with basic medications 
  • Ability to lift and move 50 lbs.
  • Possess or obtain a valid New Mexico driver’s license
  • Current First aid/CPR/AED certification a plus

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 accommodation 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 a computer 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 are required to have COVID vaccination; tetanus vaccination; and may be required to receive proper rabies vaccination; and additionally, may be required to maintain current CPR/AED and First Aid certification

DISCLAIMER: This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature of work performed by an employee. 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.

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. 

To apply: Email letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three professional references to matthew@newmexicowildlifecenter.org. Closing date: November 22, 2024