Wildlife Educator and Ambassador Trainer

About Think Wild
Think Wild is a 501(c)3 non-profit Wildlife Hospital and Conservation Center located in Bend, Oregon. Our mission at Think Wild is to inspire the high desert community to protect and care for native wildlife through education, conservation, and rescue and rehabilitation.

The Position
Think Wild is seeking a full-time, non-exempt Wildlife Educator & Ambassador Trainer based in Central Oregon to support on- and off-site wildlife education programs throughout the region. Programs include summer camps, in-school presentations, field trips, guided walks, onsite tours, tabling events, community events, and group visits at the Think Wild campus.

As a Wildlife Educator, you will deliver engaging, hands-on programs focused on native wildlife and habitat, inspiring conservation awareness and environmental stewardship among audiences of all ages. This role focuses primarily on education program delivery, with opportunities over time to contribute to curriculum development, educational materials, and ongoing program improvement.

This position also assists with the daily care and training of ambassador animals used in education programming, including a red-tailed hawk and western toad. Responsibilities include following established animal care and handling protocols to ensure animal health, welfare, and safety.

Applicants must be based in Central Oregon and willing to travel throughout the region, including Bend, Madras, Sisters, Prineville, and surrounding communities. The preferred start date is as soon as possible. Flexible hours are available depending on availability; priority will be given to applicants available to work all or most of the Monday–Friday weeks of June 22, July 6, July 20, August 3, and August 17 for summer camps.

Responsibilities
1. Develop and deliver engaging, hands-on wildlife education programs, including summer camps, school presentations, field trips, onsite tours, workshops, interpretive walks, tabling events, and community programs for diverse audiences.
2. Support the development and refinement of curriculum, activities, and
educational materials to ensure programs remain engaging, accurate, and
aligned with Think Wild’s mission and regional conservation priorities.
3. Represent Think Wild at community events and outreach activities, engaging the public in conversations about wildlife coexistence, conservation, and ways to get involved.
4. Create educational content and outreach materials, including curriculum
resources, guides, website content, blog posts, and social media materials.
5. Train and support education program volunteers and interns assisting with
program delivery and ambassador handling, ensuring safe practices and
high-quality participant experiences.
6. Provide daily care and husbandry support for ambassador animals, including
feeding, enclosure cleaning, behavioral monitoring, enrichment, and detailed
recordkeeping.
7. Maintain ambassador habitats and equipment to ensure high standards of animal welfare, cleanliness, safety, and regulatory compliance.
8. Coordinate with schools, community partners, and internal staff to ensure
successful program planning, scheduling, and delivery.
9. Support outreach to teachers, youth organizations, and community partners to grow participation in education programs.
10.Collect participant feedback and contribute to ongoing program evaluation and improvement.
11. Maintain and transport educational supplies and equipment, ensuring proper
setup and breakdown for programs and events.
12.Assist with occasional evening, weekend, and seasonal programming demands as needed.

Compensation
This is a full-time, hourly (non-exempt) position with a pay range of $18–$22 per hour, depending on experience.

Benefits include:
● 100% Employer Covered health, vision and dental insurance
● Paid time off
● Simple IRA retirement match program
● Mileage and cellphone reimbursement
● Professional development support

Qualifications
● Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, biology, ecology, natural
resources, education, or a related field
● Minimum of 2 years of experience delivering environmental, wildlife, or
experiential education programs
● Demonstrated experience engaging diverse audiences through public speaking, group facilitation, and hands-on instruction
● Strong knowledge of wildlife conservation, ecology, natural history, native plants, and regional environmental issues
● Experience working with youth in educational or outdoor settings strongly
preferred
● Comfortable handling live animals and adhering to established animal welfare
and safety protocols
● Demonstrated experience working with raptors and/or training and handling
ambassador animals in an educational setting is highly preferred
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills
● Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple programs,
materials, and timelines effectively
● Proficiency using multimedia tools and technology for educational purposes
● Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, fast-paced
environment
● Flexibility to work occasional evenings, weekends, and regional travel as needed
● Spanish language proficiency is not required but highly valued
● Genuine passion for Central Oregon wildlife, conservation, and environmental
stewardship
● Ability to pass a background check

To Apply
Please submit the following to info@thinkwildco.org:
● Cover letter
● Resume
● Three professional references (we will only contact if offered the role)
Use the subject line: “Wildlife Educator Application – [Your Name]”

Application review will be rolling, and the position will be open until filled.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, please do not call or visit in person. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

If you are interested in working with Think Wild but do not yet meet the qualifications for this role, we encourage you to explore our internship opportunities at:
https://www.thinkwildco.org/internships

Think Wild is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

Thank you for your interest in supporting wildlife rehabilitation, education, and
conservation in Central Oregon.