Raptor Hospital Specialist

Title: Raptor Hospital Specialist

Accountability: Raptor Hospital Specialist reports to the Hospital Manager in Raptor Rehabilitation

Job Classification: Full-time, Non-exempt

Compensation: $35,000-$36,500

Benefits: Carolina Raptor Center offers a competitive benefits package to eligible employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance. Other benefits include 403(b) retirement plan, and paid time off (PTO).

Tentative Start Date: As soon as possible

No visa sponsorship is available for this role.

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with “Full-Time Raptor Hospital Specialist” in the subject line. 

About: Carolina Raptor Center (CRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Huntersville, NC dedicated to raptor rehabilitation, education, and conservation. Our mission is to ignite a passion for raptors and a responsibility for our shared natural world. Our vision is to foster communities where raptors and people thrive thanks to our unique blend of innovation, research, and education. We are a world-class destination for avian rehabilitation and our dedication to the birds in our care provides visitors a gateway to the natural world.

Values: Excellence – Strive for trusted leadership in the field of raptor rehabilitation, exceptional welfare for our resident birds, and transformational experiences for every person we meet. Sustainability – Employ operational practices that benefit the environment and guarantee the organizational strength to serve the resident birds and our communities for generations to come. Empowerment – Create effective educational experiences that embolden our visitors and our diverse communities to take action in positively impacting our world.

Position Summary:

The Raptor Hospital Specialist plays a critical role in the rehabilitation process of injured raptors at the Carolina Raptor Center. The Specialist is involved in the entire treatment process of our patients, including speaking with the public, performing intake exams, and evaluating patients continuously throughout treatment and finally for release. They will work with the public to facilitate transporting injured birds to the Raptor Hospital. They will work closely with other hospital staff members and veterinarians to determine and carry out treatment plans for raptor patients. The Specialist oversees and supervises interns and volunteers during their shifts at the hospital to ensure shifts run smoothly and work with the Hospital Manager to prioritize bird care.

The Raptor Hospital Specialist will work closely with the Volunteer Manager to be the point person for all the volunteers in the Raptor Hospital, including Hospital Volunteers and Raptor Rescue Volunteers. This will involve coordinating continued education for the volunteers, volunteer communication and ensuring that all shifts have regular coverage. The Specialist will oversee the necropsy lab including harvesting biofacts, inventory and disposal of bird cadavers and overall cleanliness. Lastly, they will also oversee the diagnostic lab ensuring that samples are sent off or read in a timely manner, that the lab is well stocked and kept clean.

The Raptor Hospital Specialist must be motivated, self-starter that is dedicated to bird care and welfare. The successful applicant is team-oriented with a strong passion for nature, conservation, and public education. They should also be committed to continuing to grow and learn hospital procedures including medical care and biosecurity measures.  Additional responsibilities may include facility tours, private releases, keeper chats with the public and trail or enclosure maintenance.

Responsibilities:

PATIENT CARE

• Performs new patient intake and follow-up examinations.
• Performs diagnostic procedures on patients that may include fecal float analysis, phlebotomy, CBCs, and radiographs.
• Performs and oversees basic husbandry of patients, including diet preparation, diet distribution enclosure cleaning, and enclosure maintenance.
• Assists Curator of Birds and the Avian Ambassador Team as needed for routine and non-routine medical procedures on ambassador birds.
• Provides care for nestling and fledgling raptors and assists with re-nesting.
• Assists and consults with contract veterinarians as needed.
• Creates treatment plans, follow treatment plans and update treatment plans for patients.
• Performs medical procedures that may include monitoring anesthesia, wound care and wound debridement, bandaging and/or splinting, performing physical therapy, administering fluids and medications, physical examinations, and performing eye examinations.

GENERAL HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT

• Manages and supervises hospital volunteers as shift lead.
• Trains volunteers and interns in basic concepts of raptor rehabilitation
• Oversees cleaning and upkeep of medical facilities.
• Answers public inquiries to the hospital via phone; coordinates with the public and volunteers to arrange transport of injured
• Assist and update Standard Operating and Biosecurity Procedures
• Exemplifies the Carolina Raptor Center’s Mission Statement and supports staff, departments and leadership in pursuing and achieving goals.
• Performs any other duties needed to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission, and abide by our values.

HOSPITAL NECROPSY AND DIAGNOSTIC LABS

• Oversee general cleanliness of both labs
• Ensures samples and biofacts are sent or stored appropriately
• Oversees inventory of biofacts and lab supplies and works with Hospital Manager to order as needed
• Manages bird cadavers through regular inventory and proper disposal

Requirements:

• Must have a passion for the mission of Carolina Raptor Center.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must submit a standard criminal background check for review.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to work some evenings, weekends and federal holidays.
• Must be willing to serve all guests equally regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity and/or sexual orientation.
• Physical Requirements: 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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Must be able to perform physical requirements of the position at the most rigorous level.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
  • Frequent walking, talking, bending, squatting and listening to their surroundings.
  • Regular operating tools with hands, reaching, sitting
  • Occasional climbing, balancing, squatting, kneeling.
  • May be required to push, pull, lift and/or carry up to 25 pounds.
  • The noise level in the work environment can vary from moderately quiet to loud dependent on patients.
  • Exposure to weather including extreme heat or cold, high noise intensity level, exposure to radiation via x-ray machine, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, wet and/or humid conditions, vibration, proximity to moving mechanical parts, working high exposed places, working with sharps/needles, exposure to deceased animals, exposure to anesthesia, and exposure to zoonotic disease.

Education & Experience:

• Minimum of two year experience in animal husbandry, animal medical field, or related experience.
• Knowledge of wildlife rehabilitation ethics.
• Ability to work on a team.
• Ability to perform rehabilitation husbandry and/or veterinary techniques.
• Must be proficient in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint software programs.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and time manage efficiently.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to perform to high standards with tight and demanding schedules.
• Ability to lead, coach, and train new staff members, volunteers, and interns.
• Ability to receive, apply, and provide feedback.

Work Location & Environment:

The Raptor Tech works in the Raptor Hospital located at the Carolina Raptor Center’s facilities in Huntersville, North Carolina. This position requires regular weekend hours and some weekdays, primarily in the afternoons. This role involves exposure to the following conditions:

• Sick or injured birds, deceased animals
• Hazardous and caustic materials (e.g., cleaning chemicals, anesthetics)
• Zoonotic diseases and unpleasant odors
• X-rays and related radiation exposure
• High noise levels, sharps/needles, and moving mechanical parts
• Outdoor environments including extreme heat, cold, humidity, and precipitation

Note: Individuals who are immunocompromised or pregnant/planning to become pregnant should consult with their physician regarding working in this environment. Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with ADA regulations.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time. Carolina Raptor Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type.

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with “Full-Time Raptor Hospital Specialist” in the subject line.