We are looking for enthusiastic, hardworking and disciplined individual who can lead volunteers and manage our captive breeding centre in a remote and beautiful area of Costa Rica. The ideal candidate will have veterinary qualifications (DVM) or an experienced keeper with Animal Health Technician training.
Context: The Ara Project’s mission is to ensure the long-term future of wild parrots in Costa Rica. The main component of our work to date has been the release of captive bred Scarlet and Great-green macaws into areas where parrots were locally extinct. The captive breeding centre is therefore central to The Ara Project’s work.
Goals for this position: The purpose of the captive breeding center is to produce chicks for release. The head keeper’s main goal therefore is to ensure the captive parrots have the conditions they need for breeding success.
Purpose:
- Manage the captive parrot-breeding program
- Lead the day to day care of parrots in our breeding center as well as the feeding and on site monitoring of release parrots
- Provide preventative and emergency veterinary care
- Maintain records of the breeding and released flock and management actions
- Maintain parrot-related infrastructure (e.g. aviaries and nest-boxes) and make small scale developments as needed
- Support (but not necessarily lead) the development of site infrastructure (such as a keeper’s kitchen).
Main duties include:
Birds:
- Preparing food and feeding parrots according to diet plans and feeding schedules.
- Ensuring hygienic management of the birds in accordance with established protocols for daily routines and aviary hygiene.
- Monitoring bird health, breeding conditions and behaviour
- Coordinating periodic bird health checks and treating birds as needed
- Maintaining records of observations and reports of animal behaviour and breeding
- Conducting environmental and enclosure safety checks
- Enriching enclosures (weekly)
Team:
- Managing volunteers to achieve the implementation of the bird and site duties (eg. Feeding, cleaning and maintenance)
- Ensuring training of volunteers
- Leading daily team meetings
- Giving performance and development reviews to team members
Site operations:
- Ensuring the general upkeep and maintenance of the site
- Supporting General Manager in site developments
Requirements and preferences:
- Preference will be given to applicants with veterinary qualifications (DVM), ideally with avian veterinary experience or an experienced keeper with Animal Health Technician training.
- Preference will also be given to applicants who can demonstrate they have leadership experience
- Weekend availability required
- Spanish language skills advantageous
- Driving license required
Reports to: Executive Director
Compensation:
- All utilities (Gas, water, electric) provided on site
- Private studio apartment will be availalbe once settled
- Project vehicle available for use in free time
- $800 per month will be provided as a stipend
Other considerations:
A trial period of three months will be required
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