Carolina Raptor Center

Opportunities

Position: Avian Keeper Internship 

Position Description: The purpose of our Avian Keeper Intern is to work closely with resident bird care staff to learn about husbandry, training, and education. Interns will help care for our avian ambassadors by preparing diets, distributing food, and cleaning enclosures. They will also learn positive reinforcement training techniques and present keeper chats to our visitors to connect the public to the natural world.

Work Location: This position is located at the Carolina Raptor Center Hospital building, located at 6000 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078. It requires reliable transportation to commute.

Responsibilities and Duties:

·        Assist staff with opening and closing procedures

·        Basic care of birds of prey

o   Diet preparation (including supplements/medications)

o   Diet distribution

·        Record keeping

·        General cleaning duties

·        Caretaking for ambassador birds, which includes:

o   Getting voluntary weights on selected birds

o   Disinfecting and cleaning of enclosures

o   Changing water dishes

·        Observing and recording various bird behaviors

·        Assist with creating, distributing, and recording behavior-based enrichment

·        Learning application of techniques used in positive reinforcement training strategies

·        Training and maintaining behaviors for husbandry purposes

·        Training and maintaining behaviors for educational purposes

·        Conducting keeper talks for a variety of audiences

Qualifications:

This position best suits individual with the following:

·        At least 18 years old

·        Ability to lift 50 lbs.

·        Can work self-guided and with others

·        Ability to work with people from all backgrounds

·        Able to work in a fast-paced environment

·        Must be able to positively interact with members of the public

·        Follow instructions, both written and verbal

·        Can work outside in all weather conditions

·        Willingness to speak up and ask questions

Commitment Expectations: This is an unpaid position. Interns are required to work at least 3 days per week. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

Training: New interns will receive general volunteer onboarding training with our Volunteer Manager, including a scavenger hunt and on-site onboarding training. In addition, there will be specific training on the day of onboarding where you will learn the following skills:

• Using a scale

• Introduction to the computer program, RaptorMed

• Bird behavior

Additional hands-on training will begin on your first day and continue throughout your first two

weeks. Throughout the internship you will also be provided the following classes:

·        Anatomy of Raptors

·        Common Injuries and Signs of Illness

·        Health Examinations and Beak Coping

·        Foot and Beak Care

·        Basics of Bird Behavior

·        Raptor Training Techniques

Other Requirements: You will need to pass a background check before starting, provided through Priority Background Information Solutions. A tetanus shot is highly recommended.

Interested? Apply on the Carolina Raptor website at https://carolinaraptorcenter.org/jobs/. 

Position: Rehabilitation Internship 

Position Description: The purpose of our Rehabilitation Intern is to provide basic husbandry and medical needs to our wild patients. This position also includes answering the phone and assisting in arraignment of transportation for incoming patients.

Work Location: This position is located at the Carolina Raptor Center Hospital building, located at 6000 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078. It requires reliable transportation to commute.

Responsibilities and Duties:

·   Assist rehabilitation staff with duties

·   Must complete an intern project by the end of term

·   Complete bi-weekly check-ins with Intern Coordinator

·   Cleaning indoor and outdoor enclosures

·   Preparing food

·   Learn and observe bird behavior

·   Use RaptorMed to document feeding and behavior

·   General cleaning of the building, supplies and equipment

·   Answer the phone and assist in arranging transport

Qualifications: This position best suits individual with the following:

·   Can work self-guided and with others

·   Ability to work with people from all backgrounds

·   Able to work in a fast-paced environment

·   Strong stomach (for witnessing food prep and a variety of injuries)

·   Observant

·   Willing to speak up and ask questions

·   Follow instructions, both written and verbal

·   Can work outside in all weather conditions

·   Learn CRC welfare standards including euthanasia

·   Basic computer skills

Commitment Expectations: This is an unpaid position. Interns are required to work at least three days per week. You must complete one full shift (8 hours) per week, in addition to their other shifts. Morning shifts are 4 hours (8am-12pm), midday shifts are 3 hours (11am-1pm) and afternoon/evening shifts are 4 hours (2pm-6pm).

·   Summer session: Interns are expected to work full-time (~35 -40 hours per week) in our raptor hospital, with the term spanning from mid-May or early June until mid-August or early September.

·   Spring session: Interns are expected to be part-time (~15-20 hours per week), with the term spanning from January until mid-April or early May.

·   Fall session: Interns are expected to be part-time (~15-20 hours per week), with the term spanning from mid-August or early September until December.

Start and end dates are flexible. However, interns are expected to have a consistent schedule.

Training: New interns will receive general volunteer onboarding training with our Volunteer Manager, including a scavenger hunt and on-site onboarding training. In addition, there will be hospital specific training on the day of onboarding training where you will learn the following skills.

·   Using a scale

·   Introduction to the computer program, RaptorMed

·   Bird behavior

Additional hands-on training will begin on your first day and continue throughout your first week. Here you will learn the following:

·   Layout of the outdoor hospital trail

·   Continue learning about bird behavior

·   Learn how to clean indoor and outdoor enclosures

·   Learn how we admit and care for our birds daily

Over the course of your internship, you will receive hands-on training for more advanced medical skills, including, but not limited to:

·   Analyzing fecal and blood samples

·   Performing wraps and bandage changes

·   Practicing eye exams

·       And more!

Age Requirements: 18 years old

Other Requirements: You will need to pass a background check before starting, provided through Priority Background Information Solutions. A tetanus shot is highly recommended.

Interested? Apply on the Carolina Raptor website at https://carolinaraptorcenter.org/jobs/.