Full-Time Raptor Rehabilitation Coordinator/Manager

To apply, send your resume and cover letter as a single PDF to diana@hikeandlearn.org. You DO NOT need to complete our standard online application.

About the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center 

The Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center (NWDC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering environmental stewardship and promoting community health through comprehensive nature education, wildlife rehabilitation, and outdoor recreation initiatives. Born from the merger of two longstanding organizations in 2018, NWDC brings together a wealth of expertise, boasting a collective 50 years of experience in delivering top-tier nature programming to the City and County of Pueblo. With two distinct locations situated in Pueblo and Beulah, NWDC serves our community by actively engaging with over 20,000 participants each year. 

At the heart of our mission lies the Raptor Center, our renowned rehabilitation facility with a legacy spanning over four decades. Since its inception in 1981 at our River Campus in Pueblo, the Raptor Center has been steadfast in its commitment to saving and rehabilitating magnificent birds of prey, making an enduring impact on both wildlife conservation and public awareness. 

Position Overview 

NWDC is in search of a dynamic and adaptable individual to join our team as a full-time, non-exempt Raptor Rehabilitation Coordinator/Manager. In this pivotal role, you will provide essential support to the Raptor Center Director, overseeing the operation of NWDC’s rehabilitation program, supervising volunteers and interns, and coordinating the care and treatment of Bird of Prey patients. Reporting directly to the Raptor Center Director, you will ensure that the facility, equipment, and supply and material needs of the hospital and rehabilitation operations are met, including maintaining accurate, timely, and complete medical records. Additionally, you will provide support to the Raptor Center Director in the overall operation of the Raptor Center and perform raptor rehabilitation services along with any necessary tasks designated by the Raptor Center Director. 

Timeline: Priority application review will begin starting Monday, May 20th. The position will remain open until filled.

Core Competencies 

The following competencies are expected from all staff members at NWDC: 

• Communication: effective and timely communication, both orally and written 
• Teamwork: works well with others and contributes to a positive team environment 
• Service: provides exceptional service to customers, partners, volunteers, and donors 
• Leadership: demonstrates leadership and decision-making abilities in the organization 
• Initiative: assesses and initiates things independently and to help improve the organization 
• Accountability: reliable and inspires trust in others 

Responsibilities 

Wildlife Rehabilitation 

Assist Raptor Center staff (paid and volunteer) with daily care and maintenance of Raptor Center activities including but not limited to: 

• Daily care and maintenance of animals, facilities, and equipment.
• dministration of prescribed medications and treatments.
• Food procurement and preparation.
• Care, management, and processing of feeder animal colonies.
• Daily recordkeeping. 

Education 

• Provide visitor services. 
• Provide direct delivery of education programs as needed. 
• Create reports, articles, brochures, and flyers as requested. 

Leadership 

• Assist Raptor Center Director with supervision, training, and evaluation of paid and volunteer staff.
• Assist with supervision of facility operations. 
• Assist the Raptor Center Director in creating an annual budget for the Raptor Center.
• Assist with special events, including fundraising and general activities, as needed. 
• Keep accurate and complete records. 

General 

• Ensure adherence to Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center policies, standards, and procedures.
• Keep accurate and current records pertinent to the position. 
• Attend training and staff meetings as necessary. 
• Keep all equipment used for the execution of duties clean and in good working condition, properly stored, and used only for the intended purposes. 
• Other duties as assigned that are minor or incidental tasks related to the position. 

Qualifications 

Education and Previous Experience 

• High school diploma, equivalent, or higher.
• No less than four years of wildlife rehabilitation or other high-performance animal care experience. 

Required Skills, Qualities, and Abilities 

• Must be able to qualify for state and federal licensing required for wildlife rehabilitation.
• Current/valid First Aid and CPR certification, or ability to do so within 60 days of hire.
• Requires the ability to self-initiate and self-direct workflow with the ability to set and achieve measurable goals, objectives, and benchmarks.
• Requires basic computer literacy.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects. 
• Ability to work well with diverse groups of volunteers, including school-aged children.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and an excellent motor vehicle record is required.
• Must be willing and able to work in a variety of outdoor environments and weather conditions.
• Must pass a pre-employment background check and sexual offender registry. 

Physical Requirements 

• Balancing, bending, squatting, kneeling, stooping, crawling, reaching, holding, pushing, pulling and twisting at the waist. 
• Requires light visual acuity. 
• Moving heavy objects weighing 25 to 40 lbs. and may weigh up to 50 lbs. 
• Sitting, walking, or standing for extended periods. 
• Working in direct sunlight. 
• Operating light equipment including hand tools, power tools, and weed eater. 
• Includes daily outdoor work that may include exposure to extreme weather conditions below 32 degrees and above 90 degrees.
• Exposure to air contaminants, noise, vibration, and temperature extremes

Work Environment

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions, sometimes including exposure to extreme weather conditions, may be exposed to hazardous encounters with wildlife, and is consistently party to the exquisite outdoor scenery and wildlife rehabilitation.

Level of Position and Compensation

The level of this position (Coordinator or Manager) will be determined based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. 

This is a non-exempt, full-time position, 40 hours/week with an hourly wage range of $17.50-$20 per hour depending on the level of position and experience. 

NWDC offers a comprehensive benefits package for all full-time employees (after the required 90-day waiting period) including health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, holidays, personal time off, bereavement, family medical, voting, and jury duty leave, and an option to participate in a 401 (k) plan. Flexible scheduling may be considered after completing a probationary period. 

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

To apply, send your resume and cover letter as a single PDF to diana@hikeandlearn.org. You DO NOT need to complete our standard online application.