Wildlife Coordinator

Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization near Sandstone, MN that provides residential and day-use outdoor educational opportunities to a diverse audience in an intimate setting. We hope you join our dedicated and passionate education team in our effort to instill a connection and commitment to the environment in people of all communities through experiential learning!

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Train and schedule routine barn duties for all staff working with the animals on animal husbandry
• Provide training for staff to ensure high quality of life and proper handling  of animal ambassadors for programming
• Manage an annual budget for animal care and outreach programs
• Mentor education fellows that choose to specialize in wildlife programming or animal husbandry
• Maintain state and federal permits and licenses
• Develop and implement policies for wildlife acquisition, programming, ending animal ambassador services, and end of life care
• Train animal ambassadors for programming and health checks
• Provide direct care for animal ambassadors including scheduling routine veterinary care
• Teach ecology, outdoor adventure, cultural/historical, and wildlife classes as needed
• Lead and support summer camp programming
• Procure and manage taxidermy and biofacts
• Participate in JEDI and other internal professional training and opportunity to sit on the JEDI committee
• Provide organizational support as needed or assigned

Osprey Wilds Expects our Education Leadership Team Members to be:

• Committed to providing access to positive experiences in nature with all site visitors in an equitable and just manner
• Passionate about growing their skills and knowledge
• Tenacious and able to work in a fast paced environment
• Respectful and responsive communicators

We think you should apply if you:

• Are willing to take initiative to support our programs and staff 
• Consider yourself a self starter
• Have a passion for animals and have a willingness for working with and caring for our animal ambassadors
• Have strong empathy for animal and human welfare
• Have experience in working with learners of all ages
• Take pride in creating detailed documentation of processes and procedures
• Are able to be adaptive to meet your groups needs, including being vulnerable and stepping out of your comfort zone
• Have excellent verbal and written interpersonal skills
• Are able to manage a flexible schedule which includes evenings and weekends, 40-44 hours per week

Qualified candidates will have the following:

• Minimum of 3 years paid wild bird care experience
• Minimum of 2 years teaching experience, preferably in non-formal education settings
• Experience with operant conditioning and enrichment techniques
• Microsoft Office & Google Documents Proficiency
• Experience with power tools and light carpentry a plus
• Is COVID-19 vaccinated or is willing to become vaccinated
• Ability to respond to emergency situations which may occur outdoors in inclement weather, on water, and on rugged terrain
• Ability to lift 25 pounds on a routine basis