Job Description

Position Summary

The Ambassador Program Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of WildCare’s Wildlife Ambassador Program including daily supervision of Wildlife Ambassador Volunteers, daily care of the Ambassador animals, and all educational aspects of the program as well as coordinating with all other WildCare Departments, especially Hospital and Development.

You must have animal and raptor handling experience to qualify for this position.

Responsibilities

Animal Care

• Coordinate with the Director of Animal Care and WildCare’s Resident Veterinarian to arrange the procurement and disposition of all Educational Animals
• Coordinate with medical staff for any procedures, treatments, yearly physicals or other medical care of the Educational Animals.
• Responsible for the basic daily husbandry of the Ambassador
  Animals such as making and maintaining equipment, coping, etc.
• Ensure all permitting with U.S. Fish and Wildlife, CA Fish and Wildlife and USDA are up to date, all permits are readily available and that WildCare is operating in compliance with all of their regulations regarding housing, husbandry and animal use.
• Ordering of all Ambassador Program supplies including, but not limited to, mice, rats, smelt, produce, training supplies and program supplies.
• With assistance from Medical Staff, develop protocols for and oversee the daily care of all Educational Animals including, but not limited to, diets, housing, enrichment and training.
• Set and enforce guidelines for all aspects of animal care and handling.
• Monitor animals while being displayed in the courtyard, at programs and at any special functions.
• Maintain up to date records on all Educational Animals health, care and weight records.
• Perform basic facility maintenance of the Ambassador Animals’ housing, courtyard and basic aspects of the museum, including maintenance of the pool pump systems and updating Ambassador signage.

Volunteer Management

• Recruit, train and oversee at least 30 Ambassador Volunteers, including scheduling, responding to interpersonal issues, providing advanced training, maintaining records on skill proficiencies and addressing general day to day concerns.
• Provide interpretation training for volunteers to give them the skills to present informal courtyard presentations.
• Provide animal handling training and continued support to provide the volunteers with the skills required to handle Ambassadors during on and off-site programs.
• Make arrangements and schedule volunteer handlers for off-site programs, ensuring they have the skills required for the animals being presented.
• Be available to cover shifts left uncovered by volunteers due to holidays and weekends.

Education

• Develop and present off-site Wildlife Ambassador Programs to area schools, libraries, camps, senior centers and any other organization requesting a Program within a one hour radius of WildCare.
• Book Ambassador Programs, coordinating with teachers and facilitators for the presentation of these programs, including arranging the animals attending, the program topic, times and logistics, costs and invoicing, scholarships, and arranging volunteer handlers.
• Work with the Development Department for the use of Ambassador Animals at fund-raising functions or other Development venues.
• Coordinate with the Camp and Center Tour Staff to arrange for Ambassador visits and interactions
• Construct or acquire all needed items for any Ambassador presentations.
• Fill in as a teacher, naturalist guide or presenter for Nature Hikes, Center Tours, Camps or Nature Van Programs as needed.

Other duties

• Work with other Program Staff to recruit, interview, and hire Educational staff
• Provide statistics on program usage for internal and external audits, tracking and grant writing
• Represent WildCare at applicable organizations, events and other venues
• Represent the Ambassadors and the Program in the planning stages of WildCare’s new site move

Qualifications

• Experience developing and managing Environmental Education Programs
• Volunteer management experience
• Direct teaching experience in a formal and a classroom setting for ages Pre-K to senior citizens
• Strong customer service skills
• Attention to detail
• Willingness to multi-task and work under pressure
• Ability to work without supervision
• Experience working with Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Excel and Filemaker.
• Minimum of 2 years experience working with and handling wildlife
• Minimum of 2 years experience working with raptors on the glove
• Experience with positive reinforcement training techniques
• 4 year degree or experience in applicable subject area

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Teaching credential
• Comfortable using tools for basic enclosure repairs and improvement

Compensation:

WildCare offers a competitive salary and benefits. Salary DOE. WildCare is an equal opportunity employer.

Conditions of Employment:

Hiring is contingent upon receipt of a DMV driving record and a FBI/California Department of Justice background check.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Wildlife. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: 94901. Salaries: 40,000 - 60,000.

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