Research & Husbandry Coordinator

Piedmont Wildlife Center in Durham, North Carolina is currently seeking a Research and Husbandry Coordinator. This is a full-time exempt position. This position will primarily focus on these main areas: providing care for PWC’s wildlife ambassadors, managing the box turtle research project, managing interns, assisting in volunteer management, and supporting the Conservation Coordinator, PWC staff and organizational activities. This position has an expected start date of the week of 3/28/22.

Organizational Overview: Piedmont Wildlife Center is a Durham-based non-profit environmental organization encouraging conservation and inspiring people to build lifelong connections with nature through immersive outdoor education, citizen science, and wildlife stewardship. We offer year-round outdoor education programs as well as conservation-themed outreach and citizen science programs with our resident ambassador animals.

Land Acknowledgement: Piedmont Wildlife Center operates out of Leigh Farm Park in Durham County. Leigh Farm Park is a remnant of a 19th century plantation. The Durham County Park department has preserved multiple historic structures. It is extremely important that we discuss this history with our staff and campers, honor the Indigenous and enslaved peoples who cared for the land, amplify their stories, and continue learning about and examining the parks’ legacy. Please let us know if you have perspectives or resources to share - we are always interested in getting staff involved in our journey. 

Primary Responsibilities:

➢ Manage daily animal care and raptor care tasks
○ Responsible for daily care, maintenance, enrichment, and medical care of all ambassadors
○ Assist in training volunteers on all aspects of animal care and raptor care
○ Assist in overseeing raptor training and commit to weekly attendance
○ Responsible for all maintenance of enclosures                                   
○ Apply for renewals of state and federal permits

➢ Participate in the Box Turtle Connection project and manage our citizen science project, Turtle Trekkers                                                                     
○ Promote the project to the general public, teachers and students             
○ Organize and analyze citizen science box turtle data alongside WildTrack (non-invasive wildlife monitoring organization)                             
○ Use radio telemetry to track box turtles in the park                                   
○ Take photographs and morphometric data on box turtles found within the park. Add to a statewide database.                                                               
○ Collaborate with other box turtle/reptile conservation groups in NC to develop the program                                                                                     
○ Design and run the Turtle Trekkers school program 

➢ Manage the Conservation interns                                                             
○ Manage intern applications/inquiries throughout the year                         
○ Interview and select interns with the Conservation Coordinator                 
○ Create training schedules with the Conservation Assistant                       
○ Assist the Conservation Assistant in training interns on animal/raptor care and turtle tracking/data collection                                                           
○ Create recurring weekly intern schedules including monthly check-ins

➢ Research and apply for conservation and education grants

➢ Maintain accurate biological inventory of Leigh Farm Park through use of trail cameras

➢ Assist with onboarding process and general management of volunteers

➢ Serve as a substitute when the Conservation Coordinator is unavailable for teaching school programs, field trips, and birthday parties                         
○ Teach nature-based programs using live animals (reptiles, mammals, raptors)                                                                                                         
○ Teach a wide range of ages (pre-k to high school) and group sizes (up to 100+) with interactive PowerPoint
○ Manage time efficiently to arrive at schools 15 minutes prior to program start time.                                             
○ Assist in running Turtle Treks for field trips/small groups

➢ Support the organization as a whole                                                         
○ Uphold mission and vision statement as well as following core values       
○ Any tasks or other organizational duties as needed

Qualifications:

➢ Bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences, environmental studies, wildlife conservation, education or equivalent experience

➢ A minimum of 1 year experience in a management role

➢ A minimum of 1 year experience teaching environmental education to a variety of audiences

➢ Passion and demonstrated knowledge of NC native flora, fauna and their habitats

➢ Experience and confidence handling live animals (snakes, turtles, birds, mammals)

➢ Ability to dissect rat, mice and chicks for raptor food

➢ Comfortable working outdoors during any kind of weather

➢ Comfortable removing wasps and other pests from outdoor enclosures

➢ Excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail

➢ Excellent organization and computer skills (Word, Excel, Publisher, G Suite, Canva) and ability to produce flyers, other program brochures and social media content

➢ Must have or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license with no record of major or repeated minor traffic offenses

➢ Must be able to stand for long periods during programs or outreach events, hike in a variety of terrain through the woods, and be able to lift tables and chairs up to 50 pounds. 

Unique Considerations:

➢ Previous birds of prey handling experience

➢ Demonstrated research experience

➢ Conservation experience

➢ Veterinary experience

➢ Carpentry/power tool knowledge

➢ NC-EE certification

Schedule: 40 hours/week, Monday - Friday with occasional nights and weekends.

Pay: Salary range of $30,000-$32,000 depending on experience. After a 90-day probationary period, the coordinator is eligible for discretionary PTO and additional benefits.

If you have questions or would like more information about this position, please contact Noelle Dalhouse at 919-489-0900 or Noelle@piedmontwildlifecenter.org.

We, at the Piedmont Wildlife Center, do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity with regard to membership, employment practices, or provision of services. 

How to apply:

To Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume and two references to Noelle@piedmontwildlifecenter.org with the subject line “Research and Husbandry Coordinator – Your Name”. The application window closes at 5:00pm on Thursday, 3/10/22.