Employment Opportunities

• Maintain cleanliness of all cages, bird Aviaries and other Alaqua Animal Refuge property, as requested, to ensure effective sanitation and operation. 
• Adhere to established guidelines and maintain consistency of scheduled feeding times.
• Adhere to the monthly Aviary enrichment calendar, promoting physical and mental stimulation.
• Monitor, log, and report observed illness, disease, injury, or changes in any of the birds.
• Communicate observations and/or progress of birds to Animal Care Lead and Management.
• Maintain logs, boards, and up-to-date pictures on all birds which include the history, health, food guidelines, likes, dislikes, words used, and other general information.
• Interact, train, and monitor bird zone volunteers on all aviary procedures and best practices to ensure safety and continuity.
• Change out substrate/wood/plant materials as needed.
• Prepare and set up new enclosures for incoming birds, ensuring they meet the species-specific needs.
• Assist in the training of birds for behavioral conditioning, handling and veterinary procedures using positive reinforcement techniques.
• Observe bird behavior and make detailed records of any changes, patterns, or unusual activities. 
• Conduct other tasks upon request.

 Supervisory Duties

• Conduct morning volunteer huddles with volunteer team during each shift.
• Supervise volunteers in proper handling, safety procedures, and best practices.

Supportive Roles
In addition to performance of the essential functions, this position may be required to perform a combination of the following supportive functions:

• Additional duties as necessary and assigned.
• Assist in animal rescues.

• Knowledge and skill in handling individual animal temperament.
• Ability to gain animal confidence when restraining for transport, grooming or treatment.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, handle fluctuating priorities and projects.
• General knowledge of common diseases, their symptoms and means of transmission, administration of oral medications, assessment of change in animal status.
• Ability to use appropriate safety equipment for exotic and domestic animals.

• High school or equivalent education required.
• Experience working with animals preferred.
• Experience in animal training or behavior modification using positive reinforcement techniques preferred.
• Experience working in customer service preferred.

Position is Full time. Typical work hours are between 8 AM and 4:30 PM. Due to the cyclical nature of the industry, employees may be required to work varying schedules to meet the needs of the business. Weekend and holiday shifts required.  Attendance at training sessions and meetings is required.

Travel– Occasional travel is required to area rescues and between AAR locations.

The work environment is outdoors therefore temperatures are decided by mother nature. Noise levels are minimal but are dependent of the animal. Dust, dander, blood, excreta, chemicals and other allergens are common in the work area. Handling of excitable dogs, feral cats, large pigs, horses, sick contagious animals, and injured species is common. Upon employment, all employees are required to fully comply with Alaqua Animal Refuge management rules and regulations for safe and effective operation. 

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand, bend, or kneel for 8 or more hours.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds repeatedly throughout the day.
• Ability to hear and distinguish changes in pitch.
• Posses wide range of motion in your back for twisting etc.
• Ability to work in potentially extreme environmental temperatures.
• Possess excellent balance, hand-eye coordination.
• Must have good vision, including peripheral vision, fine detail, distance, depth perception, and ability to focus.

Emotional/Mental Requirements

• Must be able to work under stressful conditions work efficiently and effectively.

• Ability to rapidly and accurately process information.

• Ability to delegate tasks.

• Ability to recognize a need for assistance and ask for help.

• Ability to work independently and as part of team.

• Ability to cope with frustrating situations and remain calm.