Assistant Curator

The New Mexico Wildlife Center has an immediate opening for an Assistant Curator. Located in northern New Mexico, 30 minutes from Santa Fe, NMWC is the premier native wildlife hospital, rehab and wildlife education facility in the state. The Assistant Curator has an important role in caring for 35 Ambassador Animals, associated facilities and in coordinating the work of volunteers and interns supporting NMWC’s animal husbandry and educational programming.

NEW MEXICO WILDLIFE CENTER

MISSION:  Connecting People and Wildlife for an Abundant Tomorrow

POSITION DESCRIPTIONTITLE:  Assistant Curator

PURPOSE: 

• Ensure the health and wellbeing of NMWC’s native wild animal collection 
• Maintain accurate records related to animal husbandry, state and federal permits
• Actively participate in delivery of NMWC’s education programming

CLASSIFICATION:  Full Time hourly, non-exempt

REPORTS TO:  Curator 

SUPERVISES:  Interns and Volunteers

WORK HOURS:  5 days per week 8:00am to 4:00pm 

BENEFITS:  Health insurance reimbursement, PTO, holidays as described in NMWC employee manual

OVERTIME:  Overtime with prior written approval of supervisor

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Curator has an important role in caring for 35 Ambassador Animals, associated facilities and in training and coordinating the work of volunteers and interns supporting NMWC’s animal husbandry and educational programming. The Assistant Curator takes an active role in presenting wildlife educational programs to a wide array of audiences at NMWC, at off site locations, and virtually. This position also has a significant role in accurate record-keeping for tracking various animal welfare data and meeting federal and state permit and licensing requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Major duties include:

• Daily care of NMWC’s collection of approximately 35 native Animal Ambassadors including raptors, corvids, mammals, reptiles and amphibians
• Training and supervision of NMWC volunteers and interns
• Routine maintenance and cleaning of animal enclosures including interior perches, shifts and other structures
• Planning, record keeping, participating Quality of Life assessments
• Presenting general public educational program utilizing Ambassador Animals on site, off site and virtually
• Assisting hospital staff as needed with animal exams, administering medications and other associated tasks for both Animal Ambassadors and hospital/rehab patients
• Preparing for and participating in NMWC special events
• Representing NMWC to the general public and professionally at meetings and conferences
• Providing guidance, review and implementation of NMWC collection and acquisition plans, safety/emergency plans and strategic plan objectives
• Assisting other staff as needed

SKILLS

• Extensive experience in the skills of captive native wild animal husbandry including but not limited to diet, medications, enrichment, training, handling, and record keeping
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel)
• Excellent organizational, writing and communication skills, including a demonstrated proficiency in and comfort with public speaking and presentations often using live animals
• Initiative, imagination and creativity related to wild animal care
• Ability to multi-task completing projects in a specific time frame
• Capable of independently or in consultation with others quickly and efficiently adjusting work in response to animal, facility and visitor needs
• Excellent planning, problem solving and decision making skills; able to identify and correct operational problems quickly
• Leadership skills in collaboratively working with staff, interns and volunteers; able to successfully work with people of varying backgrounds, skill levels, and interests
• Skilled in the use of basic facility and grounds maintenance tools

QUALIFICATIONS

• A passion for NMWC’s mission and wildlife conservation
• Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Environmental Education, Wildlife Management or related field required
• Enthusiastic personality with a positive outlook and a can-do attitude
• Willingness to learn and share knowledge with others
• Knowledge of current animal husbandry and training best practices
• Must be able to read, write, and speak clearly in English so that written and verbal instructions can be given and followed; Spanish fluency is highly desirable
• Extensive raptor handling experience required
• Minimum of two years of professional experience with native wild animal husbandry at an accredited institution or related facility including demonstrated knowledge of safe handling of potentially dangerous animals such as raptors, bobcats and/or venomous reptiles
• Working knowledge of zoonotic diseases, prevention and familiarity with basic medications
• Experience with risk management and emergency procedures highly desirable
• Ability to move and lift 50 lbs
• Possess or obtain a valid New Mexico driver’s license
• Current First-Aid/CPR/AED certification highly desirable

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands 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 the essential functions. A large percentage of duties are performed outdoors in various weather conditions, ranging from rain, wind, snow, cool to cold weather, and extreme heat.  It is possible the employee will be exposed to dust and harsh chemicals that if not handled properly may present a health hazard.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and to talk or hear. Use computer hardware and software for extended periods of time (repetitive motion).  Sitting for long periods of time.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Specific auditory acuity to identify animal noises indicating distress, aggression, pain and other conditions and behaviors; to hear warning signals from safety and security alarms and/or warning signals; to detect sounds associated with malfunctions in mechanical equipment and systems. Must possess sufficient manual dexterity, strength and ability to rotate wrists, elbows and shoulders to operate manual cranks, and pulleys and to use manual and power tools commonly used in routine maintenance. The incumbent must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

The work environment may be exposed to inclement weather; pollen, mold, dust, dirt and other airborne contaminants; and temperature variations. Must be able to safely handle live animals and tolerate exposure to animal dander, animal wastes and other zoonotic contaminants. Must be able to work in close proximity to native wildlife species. Must be able to wear all required protective clothing and equipment.

Note: Employees in this classification may be required to be COVID vaccinated; maintain and/or receive proper rabies vaccinations; current tetanus vaccination and may be required to maintain current CPR and First Aid certification

DISCLAIMER:  This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee within this role.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of an employee in this position.

EEO STATEMENT:  NMWC is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law. New Mexico Wildlife Center is an at will employer and all NMWC employees are subject to employment eligibility and background security checks as well as testing for illegal substance use as allowed by law.

How to apply:

To apply email cover letter, resume and three professional references to matthew@newmexicowildlifecenter.org