Environmental Educator - Raptors

The Environmental Educator works collaboratively with the Education Program Manager and Raptor Trainer and Educator to deliver high-quality educational programming and support ambassador welfare. ORC utilizes choice-based, least-intrusive, positive-reinforcement training practices that prioritize ambassador participation, agency, and individual behavioral needs.

The successful candidate must be a confident and engaging educator. This position involves frequent public speaking and substantial interaction with children and school groups as well as community groups of all ages. The ideal candidate is comfortable communicating scientific and conservation concepts in an accessible, enthusiastic, and age-appropriate way and can adapt their presentation style to different audiences.

Candidates should bring professionalism, initiative, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for both environmental education and animal care.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Education & Program Support (60%)

• Facilitate engaging, accurate, and age-appropriate educational programs for children, families, schools, community organizations, and other audiences.
• Present ORC programming such as school field trips, public and private programs, tours and experiences, community programs, virtual programs, and other educational presentations as assigned.
• Confidently speak to groups of varying sizes and adapt educational content and presentation style for different ages, learning levels, and audiences.
• Engage children through observation, conversation, questioning, hands-on learning opportunities, and other developmentally appropriate teaching strategies.
• Facilitate educational demonstrations involving ambassador birds in accordance with individual training plans, welfare considerations, and ORC protocols.
• Assist with the development, implementation, and continued improvement of educational programming for schools, community organizations, public audiences and in house training.
• Prepare educational materials, biofacts, equipment, and program spaces before programs and assist with breakdown, cleaning, and organization afterward.
• Maintain ORC’s educational biofact collection, including feathers, wings, skulls, feet, nests, taxidermy specimens, and other teaching materials.
• Ensure biofacts are properly labeled, organized, stored, cleaned, documented, and maintained for program use.
• Maintain biofact inventory and usage tracking to support annual reporting, collection management, and documentation requirements.
• Assist with identifying needs for new, replacement, or retired biofacts and educational materials.
• Support program logistics, including guest waivers, attendance information, program materials, and related communications.
• Assist with administrative tasks associated with education program scheduling, including responding to inquiries, coordinating program dates, maintaining calendars and scheduling records, and communicating program details to participating schools, organizations, and guests.
• Assist with setup, teardown, and guest coordination for private programs and tours.
• Direct and support volunteers and interns assisting with educational programming as needed.
• Represent Ojai Raptor Center professionally when interacting with students, teachers, visitors, donors, volunteers, community partners, and members of the public.

The Education Department develops educational program content, learning objectives, and guest-facing messaging collaboratively. This position is responsible for effectively learning, implementing, and delivering established programming while contributing ideas and observations that support its continued development.

Ambassador Care, Husbandry & Training Support (40%)

• Assist with the daily care of education ambassador birds, including cleaning enclosures, maintaining equipment, preparing diets, providing enrichment, and completing associated husbandry tasks.
• Work collaboratively with the Education Program Manager and Raptor Trainer and Educator to support animal welfare, ambassador readiness, and educational programming.
• Prepare diets, supplements, and enrichment according to established animal care plans and department protocols.
• Assist with positive-reinforcement training of ambassador animals under the direction of the Raptor Trainer and Educator.
• Maintain established training protocols and follow individual animal training plans.
• Support training designed to prepare ambassadors for voluntary participation in educational demonstrations, husbandry procedures, transport, health care behaviors, and other activities that support their care and welfare.
• Observe and document ambassador behavior, training progress, appetite, mobility, condition, and other relevant indicators of health and welfare.
• Promptly communicate behavioral, medical, or welfare concerns to appropriate education and veterinary staff.
• Maintain accurate daily records of training sessions, behavior, diets, enrichment, weights, medications, and other relevant observations.
• Administer and document medications or treatments as directed by veterinary staff.
• Assist with preparing ambassador animals, transport equipment, training supplies, and other materials for educational programs.
• Assist with post-program animal care, recovery, equipment cleaning, and documentation.
• Develop, prepare, and provide species- and individual-appropriate enrichment in accordance with established plans and ambassador needs.
• Observe ambassador responses to enrichment and communicate relevant observations to the Raptor Trainer and Education Program Manager.
• Clean and maintain ambassador aviaries, holding areas, food preparation areas, training spaces, and associated equipment.
• Assist with maintaining ambassador facilities, equipment, husbandry supplies, enrichment materials, and training spaces in safe and functional condition.
• Identify maintenance, safety, sanitation, or welfare concerns and communicate them promptly to appropriate staff.
• Participate in department projects related to ambassador welfare, training, enrichment, husbandry, facilities, and program readiness.
• Assist with routine ambassador health examinations and veterinary procedures as directed by veterinary and education staff.
• Train or supervise authorized volunteers and interns assisting with diet preparation, cleaning, enrichment, husbandry, and other approved ambassador-care responsibilities.
• Assist in identifying and developing volunteers who demonstrate the judgment, reliability, and skills necessary to support ambassador care.
• Participate in discussions and assessments regarding current education ambassadors and potential future ambassador candidates.
• Follow all established safety, sanitation, biosecurity, animal welfare, and regulatory protocols.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

Education & Communication

• Demonstrated ability and enthusiasm for public speaking and presenting educational programs to groups.
• Strong ability to engage and communicate with children and young people, including the ability to explain scientific concepts in clear, accessible, and age-appropriate ways.
• Comfortable facilitating programs for audiences that may include children, families, teachers, adult groups, donors, and community partners.
• Ability to read an audience, think on one’s feet, respond to questions, and adjust a presentation when needed while maintaining program objectives.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to communicate professionally through email and other program correspondence.
• Previous experience in environmental education, interpretation, teaching, informal science education, museum or zoo education, outdoor education, or a related field strongly preferred.

Raptor Training & Animal Care

• Interest in and willingness to learn raptor natural history, behavior, husbandry, welfare, enrichment, and species-specific care.
• Commitment to choice-based, least-intrusive, positive-reinforcement training practices and the ability to follow established training plans and protocols consistently.
• Willingness to assist with ambassador animal care, training sessions, and preparation for educational programs and demonstrations.
• Previous experience working with raptors, wildlife, or trained animals is preferred but not required.

General Skills

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to maintain accurate records, inventories, schedules, and documentation.
• Ability to balance animal care, educational programming, and administrative responsibilities within the same workweek.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Proven ability to prioritize responsibilities, manage multiple tasks, and adapt to changing needs while maintaining high standards of animal care, safety, education, and professionalism.
• Experience training, supervising, mentoring, or working effectively with volunteers or interns.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to a respectful, communicative, and collaborative workplace culture.
• Strong customer-service orientation and comfort interacting with visitors, donors, program participants, teachers, and community partners.
• Proficiency with common computer applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel, Adobe applications, and Google Workspace, with the ability to learn organization-specific systems.
• Willingness and ability to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by animal care and programming schedules.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable personal transportation, and appropriate automobile insurance.

Please note: Because public speaking, educational communication, and engagement with children are essential functions of this position, candidates advancing through the hiring process will be asked to complete a brief presentation and/or educational facilitation exercise as part of the interview process.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position involves moderate to heavy physical activity. Employees must be able to:

• Occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Frequently lift and carry approximately 25 pounds.
• Perform repetitive physical tasks associated with animal care, cleaning, food preparation, equipment movement, and facility upkeep.
• Stand and walk for extended periods, including on concrete and uneven outdoor surfaces.
• Frequently bend, reach, crouch, lift, push, pull, balance, and twist.
• Safely work in close proximity to birds of prey and other wildlife.

The position involves regular exposure to outdoor weather conditions, dust, allergens, animal waste, zoonotic disease risks, and the potential for bites or scratches. Work may be physically demanding, fast-paced, detail-oriented, and occasionally stressful.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Overtime is paid in accordance with California labor law. Starting compensation is approximately $28 per hour, commensurate with experience.

Benefits include:

• Health Benefits: Access to comprehensive health insurance plans.
• Retirement: Enrollment in a 403b plan with an employer match opportunity after 12months.
• Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off, including sick time.
• Paid Holidays: Observance of five flexible paid holidays.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued learning, training, and professional growth.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Ojai Raptor Center is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, volunteers, and community members.

WORKPLACE CONDUCT

All staff are expected to maintain a positive and professional work environment through respectful collaboration, accountability, and a shared commitment to ORC’s mission and values. All incidents, injuries, and concerns must be reported in accordance with ORC’s policies and procedures.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit the following materials with the subject line “Environmental Educator” to employment@ojairaptorcenter.org:

• Resume or CV
• Cover letter describing your relevant experience and interest in the position
• Contact information for two professional references

Open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by October 21, 2026