Animal Program Manager

The McDowell Environmental Center (MEC) is seeking an Animal Program Manager to be the primary caretaker of our resident three raptors (black vulture, barn owl, and red tailed-hawk) and herps (box turtles, indigo snake, corn snake, southern banded water snake, pine snake, toads, and salamanders), and the manager of all animal programming.  This is a full-time, benefitted leadership position that requires residing onsite at Camp McDowell. 

The McDowell Environmental Center, situated in Nauvoo, Alabama, offers an overnight outdoor school experience for students and adults from across the southeastern United States. As a secular program, MEC welcomes all participants, regardless of race, religion, or gender, and emphasizes place-based and inquiry- driven learning. Typically, school groups spend three days and two nights exploring a diverse range of subjects, including aquatic and forest ecology, geology, natural history, team-building, and various skills-based classes.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrate a respect and affinity for working with learners of all ages
• Desire to work outdoors and be a member of a four person leadership team
• Demonstrate maturity, initiative, enthusiasm, flexibility, and a collaborative mindset
• Experience working closely with raptors and herps (training, handling, health care) for at least three years
• Experience using operant conditioning and positive reinforcement when working with and training captive wildlife
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to walk up to 4 miles daily
• Ability to be on feet for 8-12 hours daily
• Willingness to grow and learn more in the field of animal care and environmental education
• Possess or be able to obtain prior to work current First Aid and CPR certifications
• Act as a positive role model to visitors and staff
• Be able to work and communicate with a variety of age groups

Preferred qualifications:

• Working knowledge of the BEETLES Project teaching philosophy
• Existing relationships with other animal care professionals
• Ability to recognize and address animal emergencies
• Have prior work experience in Environmental Education, especially in a leadership role 
• Be familiar with the outdoors, environmental issues and have a desire to learn local flora and fauna

Specific Responsibilities:

Animal Care Responsibilities - 65%

• Manage daily animal care and programming for McDowell’s educational raptors and herps to include but not limited to: 
  • Feeding animals
  • Cleaning and maintaining enclosures
  • Animal training and enrichment
  • Addressing medical concerns for animals
  • Scheduling and training animal staff for training, care, and evening programs
• Manage and train seasonal staff in resident raptor/herp care and program facilitation 
• Create and coordinate seasonal staff training sessions for raptor/herp safety and care
• Act as primary and often sole caretaker during the MEC off seasons (mid-December through early February, mid May through mid August)
• Coordinate holiday animal care
• Coordinate animal outreach and schedule outreach programs when time allows
• Track, organize, and complete required legal license paperwork for raptors through US Fish and Wildlife Service and the State of Alabama
• Act as the Lead instructor for Birds of a Feather, Hop, Slither & Slide, and outreach programs when needed
• Seek professional development to further the advancement and best practices of the animal program
• Stay up to date on the best practices for the care and management of captive wildlife
• Assist Director in managing and creating an annual Animal Care Budget of ~$10,000

Leadership Responsibilities - 20%

• Attend conferences, fairs, and promotional events on behalf of MEC as needed
• Serve as an Advisor to multiple (2-3) seasonal staff
• Recognize and report any hazards to the MEC Director 
• Attend and participate in McDowell-wide All Staff meetings monthly
• Attend and participate in MEC Leadership and staff meetings weekly 
• Lead sessions and participate in MEC staff training, occurring twice a year
• Act as lead staff at meals and canteen once a week or more as needed
• Be on-call one night a week for guests throughout the season

Teaching Responsibilities - 15%

• Teach Environmental Center day classes as needed when schools are in session
• Teach up to two evening programs per week when schools are in session

To Apply: 
Please send cover letter, resume and three professional references to MEC Director, Meredith Donaldson, at mecdirector@campmcdowell.org

Applications accepted on a rolling basis, with preference given to those who apply before November 1. Preferred start date December 1, 2024.