| Job Description |
Program/Unit Description: Established in 1974 as part of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, The Raptor Center (TRC) is first and foremost a hospital for ill and injured raptors, caring for over 1,000 birds annually. As an internationally renowned veterinary teaching hospital, TRC trains students and professionals from around the world to become future leaders in raptor medicine and conservation and conducts multi-disciplinary ecosystem health research. In addition, TRC has a substantial education and outreach program to educate and inspire the public. Using raptor ambassador birds, TRC’s education team uses innovative methods to reach over 100,000 people annually through a variety of programming at on and offsite venues and through virtual technology https://www.raptor.umn.edu . All of this work is done with the assistance of a cohort of more than 300 volunteers. While part of the University of Minnesota, The Raptor Center functions as a nonprofit organization relying on philanthropic donations for the majority of its budget.
Position Responsibilities: The primary role of this position is to curate TRC’s collection of 25-28 raptor ambassadors, ensuring their daily management, training, and work is aligned with a high level of behavioral and physical welfare. In association with managing the collection, this role is responsible for staff and volunteer handler training, and, in collaboration with the education director, some details of program delivery, including content and staff scheduling. This role will also lead the education team in developing and executing online and in-person professional training on ambassador management and training and responding to consultation requests.
Essential Duties
Curation of ambassador bird collection and programming tools (65%)
- Primary curation responsibility for the collection of TRC ambassador birds, including, but not limited to: managing bird husbandry, enrichment, training, medical care, record keeping, enclosure management and maintenance, and federal/state required reporting
- Oversee the maintenance of biofacts, equipment, and other resources used in educational programming
- Coordinate the training of staff and volunteers in bird handling and training
Operational Support of Education programming (25%)
- Work with the education director to create and update programming content and standards
- Coordinate program scheduling in collaboration with TRC’s education program scheduler, manage employee schedules
- Provide backup support as an education programmer or Center tour host
Professional training (5%)
- Lead the team in maintaining, developing, and implementing professional workshops and online trainings on ambassador care and training
- Consult with raptor ambassador caretakers on training and management as requested
Other duties as assigned (5%)
Work days: Monday-Friday for onboarding (up to 6 months); then Tuesday-Saturday
Salary: $55,000 - $58,000
Qualifications
Minimum:
- BA/BS degree or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least 4 years
- At least 2 years of experience managing/training a raptor ambassador collection of 5 or more raptors
- Experience working with volunteers
- Experience leading a team to achieve desired goals
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); ability to create reports and presentations
- Willingness to work weekends, evenings, and holidays
- Ability to lift 35 pounds
- Valid driver’s license
Preferred:
- Two or more years of experience managing/training an ambassador raptor collection of 10 or more raptors
- Experience training and handling eagles
- Knowledge of raptor behavior, ecology, or other related field
- Experience managing complex staff schedules
- Experience in experiential education programming
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Curator of Raptor Ambassadors
Posted: April 3, 2025 by MAEE Administration
Category: Raptor Center
Program/Unit Description: Established in 1974 as part of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, The Raptor Center (TRC) is first and foremost a hospital for ill and injured raptors, caring for over 1,000 birds annually. As an internationally renowned veterinary teaching hospital, TRC trains students and professionals from around the world to become future leaders in raptor medicine and conservation and conducts multi-disciplinary ecosystem health research. In addition, TRC has a substantial education and outreach program to educate and inspire the public. Using raptor ambassador birds, TRC’s education team uses innovative methods to reach over 100,000 people annually through a variety of programming at on and offsite venues and through virtual technology https://www.raptor.umn.edu . All of this work is done with the assistance of a cohort of more than 300 volunteers. While part of the University of Minnesota, The Raptor Center functions as a nonprofit organization relying on philanthropic donations for the majority of its budget.
Position Responsibilities: The primary role of this position is to curate TRC’s collection of 25-28 raptor ambassadors, ensuring their daily management, training, and work is aligned with a high level of behavioral and physical welfare. In association with managing the collection, this role is responsible for staff and volunteer handler training, and, in collaboration with the education director, some details of program delivery, including content and staff scheduling. This role will also lead the education team in developing and executing online and in-person professional training on ambassador management and training and responding to consultation requests.
Essential Duties
Curation of ambassador bird collection and programming tools (65%)
Operational Support of Education programming (25%)
Professional training (5%)
Other duties as assigned (5%)
Work days: Monday-Friday for onboarding (up to 6 months); then Tuesday-Saturday
Salary: $55,000 - $58,000
Qualifications
Minimum:
Preferred:
Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff
Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.
The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
How To Apply
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please follow this link, search for job # 367191, and click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.
Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.
Program/Unit Description: Established in 1974 as part of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, The Raptor Center (TRC) is first and foremost a hospital for ill and injured raptors, caring for over 1,000 birds annually. As an internationally renowned veterinary teaching hospital, TRC trains students and professionals from around the world to become future leaders in raptor medicine and conservation and conducts multi-disciplinary ecosystem health research. In addition, TRC has a substantial education and outreach program to educate and inspire the public. Using raptor ambassador birds, TRC’s education team uses innovative methods to reach over 100,000 people annually through a variety of programming at on and offsite venues and through virtual technology https://www.raptor.umn.edu . All of this work is done with the assistance of a cohort of more than 300 volunteers. While part of the University of Minnesota, The Raptor Center functions as a nonprofit organization relying on philanthropic donations for the majority of its budget.
Position Responsibilities: The primary role of this position is to curate TRC’s collection of 25-28 raptor ambassadors, ensuring their daily management, training, and work is aligned with a high level of behavioral and physical welfare. In association with managing the collection, this role is responsible for staff and volunteer handler training, and, in collaboration with the education director, some details of program delivery, including content and staff scheduling. This role will also lead the education team in developing and executing online and in-person professional training on ambassador management and training and responding to consultation requests.
Essential Duties
Curation of ambassador bird collection and programming tools (65%)
Operational Support of Education programming (25%)
Professional training (5%)
Other duties as assigned (5%)
Work days: Monday-Friday for onboarding (up to 6 months); then Tuesday-Saturday
Salary: $55,000 - $58,000
Qualifications
Minimum:
Preferred:
Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff
Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.
The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
How To Apply
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please follow this link, search for job # 367191, and click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.
Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.