Job description

Parc Omega is looking for a naturalist-animator specialized in birds of prey, with a passion for public education and animal welfare. Under the supervision of the Naturalist Manager and the Conservation and Education Department, the incumbent is responsible for leading educational presentations on raptors, as well as the daily care of the Park’s birds of prey. He/she also participates in other interpretation and animation activities, including wolf and wolverine presentations and guided tours.

Birds of prey currently under the Park’s responsibility include :

Red-tailed Hawk, Harris’s Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, American Kestrel, Great Horned Owl.

Main tasks

• Daily care of birds of prey: feeding, aviary maintenance, observation, enrichment and packaging
• Conduct educational presentations on birds of prey according to the ethical standards of falconry and conservation
• Respect good practices for handling, transporting and training birds (animal and human safety)
• Prepare presentation equipment: gloves, jets, perches, weighing, transport equipment
• Participate in the Park’s other public events: themed presentations, guided tours and awareness kiosks, emblematic carnivores (wolves, wolverine, etc.).
• Participate in the training of new employees and the development of educational content
• Observe and report any behavioral or health changes to veterinary staff or the Naturalist Manager
• Ensure the birds’ psychological and physical well-being, respecting care protocols and rest periods
• Collaborate on updating handling, positive training and presentation protocols
• Answering questions from the public and popularizing conservation issues in an engaging way
• Perform all other related tasks

Skills required :

• Basic care of birds of prey (feeding, aviary, behavioral observation)
• Application of best practices for presenting birds of prey (safe handling, respect for the animal, appropriate equipment)
• Ability to lead captivating and educational public presentations
• Excellent oral communication skills in French and English
• Species knowledge: Harris’s hawk, Ferruginous hawk, Red-tailed hawk, Kestrel, Great horned owl
• Ability to detect stress or signs of discomfort in animals
• Excellent knowledge of North American flora and fauna
• Experience in popularizing science to a variety of audiences
• Sense of responsibility and rigor in care and follow-up
• Autonomy with a strong team spirit
• Commitment to animal welfare and the conservation mission

Assets

• Falconry certification or training (or equivalent documented experience)
• Animal first aid training
• Valid CPR/AED certification
• Knowledge of the following species: Harris’s hawk, ferruginous hawk, kestrel, great horned owl, red-tailed hawk
• A keen interest in wildlife awareness and conservation

Requirements:

• Direct experience with birds of prey: care, handling, animation or educational falconry
• Experience in public outreach or science popularization
• Excellent oral communication skills (French and English)
• Sense of responsibility, autonomy, rigor and adaptability
• Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle required for park use
• Autonomy
• Initiative
• Self-control
• Bilingual (French, English)

Working conditions :

• Regular permanent employment
• Work schedule between 32 and 40 hours per week, including weekends and holidays
• Works mostly outdoors
• Standing for long periods

Benefits

• Two (2) days paid sick leave;
• 4% vacation pay after 6 months and 6% after 1 year’s service;
• Annual performance bonus of up to 10% of regular salary earned;
• 100% employer-paid group insurance
• Opportunity to join the RVER des employés du parc Oméga Inc.
• Employee discounts on purchases and visits to Parc Oméga Inc;
• Workwear with park logo;
• Training and development;
• Opportunity for advancement within the company.

Send your curriculum vitae to [email protected]. The masculine form includes the feminine and is used only to lighten the text.