Position: Propagation Specialist
Location: The Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey, Boise, Idaho
Status: Full-time With Benefits
Salary: $34,000 annually
Responsibilities Include:
Animal Care
- Maintain and establish captive breeding pairs of various species of raptors.
- Maintain a captive environment conducive to successful propagation of a variety of birds of prey including hawks, falcons and condors.
- Manipulate captive nesting opportunities for a variety of raptors.
- Perform all duties associated with artificial incubation of raptor eggs.
- Manipulate and track eggs, incubation protocols and procedures.
- Hatch and raise raptor chicks for release in a captive natural and/or laboratory setting.
- Monitor and document chick health, development and behavior.
- Administer annual and semiannual West Nile Virus Vaccines for captive population.
- Trapping, capture and restraint of small and large raptors species for medical procedures and transfers in a manner that is safe for both birds and staff.
- Provide immediate medical care as necessary and assist in medical procedures for raptors.
- Maintain established banding and tagging protocols for all raptors in propagation facilities.
- Transport raptors to and from various captive and field sites as needed.
- Provide regular health checks and maintenance of beaks and talons.
- Feed prescribed diet as per schedule and protocol.
- Observe closely, document and monitor raptors for general health and behavior. Report any abnormal behavior.
- Regular off site pick up of donated large carcass items for condor facility.
- Maintain medical supplies and equipment.
- Use operant conditioning techniques to optimize activity or ability to facilitate routine management and health care for all birds in propagation facilities.
- Provide daily care and maintenance for Condor Cliffs Display at interpretive center.
- Interact and cooperate with other staff and volunteers to accomplish large projects and maintain facilities and property.
- Provide daily care and maintenance of small goat herd on property.
Facilities
- Clean holding pens, breeding chambers, buildings and public display areas as per protocol and schedule. These areas include 3 condor barns, 4 falcon barns, food production facility, goat enclosure and condor display. Also includes weekly disinfection of all labs and high traffic areas. Follow safe handling instructions for chemical use.
- Understand and follow existing bio-security protocols.
- Daily visual inspection of all pens, chambers, buildings and display for health and safety concerns.
- Annual setup and breakdown of all incubation and chick rearing labs.
- Maintain freezers, refrigerators and feed in appropriate manner for optimal nutrition and health of captive population
- Conduct specified pest control activities as they relate to health of captive populations.
- Repair any structural or mechanical defects that would endanger the birds or viewing public.
- Clean, store and maintain all tools, capture equipment, inventory, vehicles and food to ensure availability of items and maintain hygienic conditions.
- Perform regular maintenance and repair of enclosures, exhibit and buildings, such as repairing fences, preventing erosion, removing weeds/brush, treating septic systems and changing air filters. Stock necessary supplies to perform tasks.
- Maintain and service transportation, generators and emergency equipment monthly.
- Annual fire preventative measures including grass and brush reduction on entire property including individual housing.
- Modify chamber designs as needed.
- Coordinate with resident staff for 24/7 coverage of property for security, fire and other emergencies.
- Maintain security of all areas (i.e. gates, doors, locks, latches).
- Be familiar with maintenance and repair of fire alarm system, life safety systems and fire suppression systems including sprinkler systems.
- General upkeep and regular maintenance of provided housing and associated property if provided.
- As necessary, clean related or adjacent areas of chambers, buildings, exhibit and dumpsters.
Record Keeping/Data Collection/ Other
- Regularly update existing bio-security protocols as new information and concerns arise.
- Follow advancements in disinfection and cleaning protocols to enhance bio-security measures.
- Prepare and update all related records, reports, daily logs and surveys, and assist in data collection (and/or research projects) to ensure thorough documentation/accountability and enhance knowledge of birds of prey.
- Interact with the media, volunteers, employees, researchers and the public through tours and presentations and other opportunities to provide education about raptors in natural and captive environments and captive propagation.
- In addition to the specific responsibilities listed above, employees must perform any other duties as assigned by supervisors.
- This job description may change as circumstances present new opportunities.
Desired Qualifications:
Experience/Education:
- Minimum requirement of a Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent experience in related field
- Experience working with California condors, Andean condors and other social species is preferred
- Experience and/or education in aviculture, artificial incubation, avian neonate care and general animal husbandry is required
- Education, training and/or experience which would clearly demonstrate the knowledge and skills outlined above
- Knowledge and understanding of complex adaptive systems
- Professional experience in the care, feeding and handling of wild animals
- Knowledge of safety practices when working with wild animals and techniques for capture and restraint of small and large raptors
- Understanding of grassland fire behavior, management and prevention preferred
Skills:
- Comfortable learning and working in a team environment
- Self-motivated and willing to assume responsibility of assigned projects
- Able to lift and manipulate up to 70 pounds without assistance
- Competently able to perform the responsibilities outlined above
- Able to practice a high level of patience and attention to detail
- Operate motorized equipment and vehicles including heavy machinery
- Effectively communicate with volunteers, co-workers and supervisors
Working Conditions:
Frequent exposure to and close contact with large raptors and
domestic ungulates. Required to move heavy objects when needed. Work in
uneven terrain with exposure to varying and extreme weather conditions.
Exposure to dust, allergens and hazardous materials is common. Work is
often performed in confined cramped spaces and from elevated positions.
We are an equal opportunity employer. The position will remain posted until filled.
Any successful candidate must have a valid driver’s license
and be able to acquire an Idaho Driver’s License after starting. A
background check will be performed before a final offer of employment is
made.
Email resume with cover letter to Marti Jenkins at employment@peregrinefund.org
No phone calls please.
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