Join our Raptor Center team! Explore our current open positions below:
Interpretive Naturalist Responsibilities
Advance The Raptor Center’s mission of public outreach by providing onsite, offsite, and digital educational programs using live birds. (60%)
- Using The Raptor Center’s curriculum, provide professional, engaging, scientifically accurate, and culturally significant interpretive programs to school classrooms, grant- funded targeted audiences, and the public. Programs focus on raptor natural history, ecology, conservation, and general environmental science topics and encourage environmentally responsible actions.
- Assist in developing new programming elements and environmental education curriculum.
- Assist in the training of presenters and evaluation of outreach programs
- Develop and maintain professional skills in the fields of raptor management, care, training, and conservation.
Assist with The Raptor Center’s approved methods of raptor handling, physical care, training and other management duties to maintain the education raptor collection in excellent health and welfare. (25%) These include but are not limited to:
- Assist in maintaining facilities including outdoor enclosures.
- Assist in managing daily education volunteer crews. This includes up to 4 morning and 4 afternoon volunteers.
- Follow biosecurity protocols to minimize the spread of disease among the collection.
- Assist in training and maintaining core raptor behaviors required for programs and management
- Assist with providing daily ambassador bird care.
Assist in training new staff, volunteers, and visiting raptor professionals on handling, training, and daily raptor management. (10%)
- Assist in developing, maintaining, and implementing handler training protocols for new staff and volunteers.
- Assist training professionals during online and in-person professional workshops
Other duties as assigned (5%)
Interpretive Naturalist Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- BA/BS with at least 2 years experience in public outreach or teaching diverse audiences, or a combination of related education and experience to equal 6 years.
- Excellent presentation and teaching skills
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and effectively with others using strong interpersonal skills
- Willingness to travel with overnights
- Willingness to work a flexible schedule including dates outside of the normal working schedule including evenings and holidays
- Ability to obtain a driver’s license as this position will involve driving a university vehicle to deliver programming to schools in greater Minnesota
- Able to lift 35 pounds (weight of an adult eagle in a crate)
Comfortable around large birds
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced studies in Animal Science, Biology, Environmental Studies, K-12 Education or other related area
- Experience presenting outreach programming utilizing captive wild animals
- Raptor handling experience
- Curriculum writing or education program design experience
- Experience working with and managing volunteers
Apply for Interpretive Naturalist Role
Visit the University's hiring site and search for Job ID 365913 (listed as job title "Education Associate 2, (8315A2)"). Applications mailed to The Raptor Center will not be considered.
Cover letter and resume required. These documents can be attached to your application by assessing your "My Activities" page and uploading documents there. This position will remain open until filled. For the best chance to be considered, apply as soon as you are able.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please email [email protected] or call (612) 624-8647