Avian Care Internship

AVIAN CARE INTERN

General Description

The Avian Care Intern works within a team setting under the direction and supervision of the Avian Director (AD).  The Avian Care Intern’s main role is to carry out duties associated with nutrition, sanitation, and housing for all the birds at the Alaska Raptor Center.  The Avian Intern also carries out educational presentations, bird rescues and clinic duties as instructed by the AD.

Qualifications

  • A team player with excellent communication skills.
  • Safety conscious, detailed-oriented and willing to follow instructions.
  • Flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
  • Respectful, patient and considerate with coworkers and supervisors.
  • Excellent time management and ability to prioritize workload.
  • Ability to work effectively and take initiative under minimal supervision.
  • Possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
  • Up-to-date tetanus vaccination.
  • Willingness to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays and on-call work.

Responsibilities

NUTRITION AND HEALTH MAINTENANCE – As instructed by the Avian Director, the Avian Intern assists with preparing, documenting and distributing the daily nutritional requirements for each bird.

SANITATION AND HUSBANDRY– The Avian Intern cleans and sterilizes housing and does laundry. The Avian Intern also performs custodial duties in areas that the birds are on display indoors (e.g. vacuuming, mopping, steam cleaning carpets).

AVIAN RESIDENT CARE AND TRAINING – As part of the Avian Care team, the Avian Intern will participate in a variety of bird training and enrichment programs as instructed by the AD.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS – The Avian Care Intern will engage in educational programs conducted with live birds and biofacts on behalf of the Alaska Raptor Center.  The Avian Care team presents the Center’s educational message as part of its seasonal tour products and in front of other various audiences, including school classes, professional peers, and local, regional, trade and national media. The Avian Care team is accountable for all live bird programs, including coordinating travel, developing curriculum, maintaining detailed records of birds/artifacts used in each program, and the safe presentation of live birds.

HABITAT AND EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE –The Avian Intern performs grounds-keeping tasks associated with bird enclosures such as debris removal and trimming foliage both inside and outside of habitats.  The need for major repairs or construction projects will be brought to the attention of the AD.

CLINIC DUTIES – The Avian Intern will occasionally perform a variety of clinic-related duties on a wide range of wild bird species including: assisting the vet and AD with lab work, treatments, examinations, as well as maintaining clinic supplies, equipment, and detailed medical records.

RESCUE AND REHABILITATION – The Avian Intern assists the Avian Care Specialists in carrying out bird rescues and admits. The Avian Intern will also occasionally be called upon to administer a high standard of short-term and long-term care to avian patients and residents.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to successfully perform the functions of the job:

  • Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, bend, kneel, crouch, climb and reach overhead.
  • Lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability and willingness to work in inclement weather.

Position Type, Duration and Compensation

  • Temporary full-time (40 hours per week) 1 year position
  • Flexible start date in January or February 2024
  • $15/hour with a $150/month housing reimbursement.

Reports to

Avian Director

Application

Please send cover letter, resume, and three references, along with how you heard about the ARC to Meg Smith, Outreach Coordinator at meg.smith@alaskaraptor.org.

Information about Sitka

Sitka is home to about 9,000 people and is located on Baranof Island in southeastern Alaska. The only way to travel to and from Sitka is by plane or boat.  Although in Alaska, it does not get extremely cold here in the winter. In general, it is between 35-45° F during the winter months and rains more than it snows. A good set of rain gear is essential, as the annual rainfall is 100-120 inches! The summer days are long (just under 18 hours of daylight) and the winter days are short (just over 6 hours of daylight) around the solstice. Interested candidates should review visitor information such as https://visitsitka.org/ thoroughly before applying.