Dec. 2023 Hiring Full-time Aviary Assistant Position

 

Summary of Responsibilities: 

The Aviary Assistant will assist the Aviary Assistant Manager in the daily care of the eagles, daily cleaning of the aviary, and educational presentations as needed. The incumbent will perform routine office activities necessary to facilitate the goals and objectives of the Eagle Aviary Program.

For more information about the Grey Snow Eagle House, visit eagles.iowanation.org. For questions, email Aviary Director, Dr. Megan Judkins at mjudkins@iowanation.org

To apply: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/2135965

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Participate in cleaning and disinfecting all cages as scheduled.
  • Ensure all offices, break areas, and buildings are cleaned and disinfected.
  • Participate in training new hires and volunteers to make sure that they know how all tasks are performed and at what quality the work should be at.
  • Responsible for the daily observation of raptor health and welfare.
  • Report maintenance issues and potential safety hazards to Aviary Supervisor or Aviary Management.
  • Attend training and provide Aviary staff a presentation on of information gained in training.
  • Assist in preparing food for eagles on a scheduled basis.
  • Maintain a detailed log of aviary activities and program files as determined by funding sources.
  • Assist in outreach activities including presentations, tours, and brochures for Tribal members and the community.
  • Assist with upkeep of the facility as necessary including basic construction and grounds maintenance.
  • Ensure education birds are properly cared for and trained if part of education program.
  • Participate in aviary committees, releases, fundraisers, etc. when asked or when on possesses skills that would benefit the project.
  • Perform other duties as needed.

Education and Experience:

  • Previous experience working with or handling large raptors.
  • Preference given to applicants who have volunteered at least 80 hours at the Iowa Tribe’s Gray Snow Eagle House.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Must possess good communication skills when dealing with Tribal members and the community.
  • Knowledge of Ioway’s or Native American cultural activities preferred.
  • Is required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
  • Routine exposure to outside weather conditions, bird holding areas where noise level in the work environment may be loud.
  • Ability to lift and/or move items of up to fifty pounds.
  • Must be able to read, understand, apply and retain knowledge of departmental rules, regulations and policies.
  • Knowledge of animal behavior.
  • Knowledge of procedures used for the proper care and handling of native birds.
  • Knowledge of aviary safety rules and regulations.
  • Ability to tolerate stress working with native birds.
  • Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions including procedures for care and maintenance of animals, exhibit, service and holding spaces.
  • Ability to exhibit patience when caring for animals.
  • Ability to exercise judgment concerning assigned work activities.
  • Skill in tact and diplomacy when interacting with co-workers, visitors and volunteers.
  • Skill in observation in order to recognize and evaluate conditions of animal health, diets and behavior.
  • Ability to work long hours when rescues occur or veterinary appointments are necessary.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, and age or disability status in employment.  Individuals of Indian ancestry and Veterans will be given preference by law in initial employment or re-employment.

Conditions of Employment:

The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma operates a drug-free workplace.

  • Must submit to and pass applicable drug test.
  • Must pass background investigations for suitability of character identified in accordance with the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act

We Are Hiring! Aviary Assistant-Full Time

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Summary of Responsibilities: 

The Aviary Assistant will assist the Aviary Assistant Manager in the daily care of the eagles, daily cleaning of the aviary, and educational presentations as needed. The incumbent will perform routine office activities necessary to facilitate the goals and objectives of the Eagle Aviary Program.

For more information about the Grey Snow Eagle House, visit eagles.iowanation.org. For questions, email Aviary Director, Dr. Megan Judkins at mjudkins@iowanation.org

To apply: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/1605851

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Participate in cleaning and disinfecting all cages as scheduled.
  • Ensure all offices, break areas, and buildings are cleaned and disinfected.
  • Participate in training new hires and volunteers to make sure that they know how all tasks are performed and at what quality the work should be at.
  • Responsible for the daily observation of raptor health and welfare.
  • Report maintenance issues and potential safety hazards to Aviary Supervisor or Aviary Management.
  • Attend training and provide Aviary staff a presentation on of information gained in training.
  • Assist in preparing food for eagles on a scheduled basis.
  • Maintain a detailed log of aviary activities and program files as determined by funding sources.
  • Assist in outreach activities including presentations, tours, and brochures for Tribal members and the community.
  • Assist with upkeep of the facility as necessary including basic construction and grounds maintenance.
  • Ensure education birds are properly cared for and trained if part of education program.
  • Participate in aviary committees, releases, fundraisers, etc. when asked or when on possesses skills that would benefit the project.
  • Perform other duties as needed.

Education and Experience:

  • Previous experience working with or handling large raptors.
  • Preference given to applicants who have volunteered at least 80 hours at the Iowa Tribe’s Gray Snow Eagle House.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Must possess good communication skills when dealing with Tribal members and the community.
  • Knowledge of Ioway’s or Native American cultural activities preferred.
  • Is required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
  • Routine exposure to outside weather conditions, bird holding areas where noise level in the work environment may be loud.
  • Ability to lift and/or move items of up to fifty pounds.
  • Must be able to read, understand, apply and retain knowledge of departmental rules, regulations and policies.
  • Knowledge of animal behavior.
  • Knowledge of procedures used for the proper care and handling of native birds.
  • Knowledge of aviary safety rules and regulations.
  • Ability to tolerate stress working with native birds.
  • Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions including procedures for care and maintenance of animals, exhibit, service and holding spaces.
  • Ability to exhibit patience when caring for animals.
  • Ability to exercise judgment concerning assigned work activities.
  • Skill in tact and diplomacy when interacting with co-workers, visitors and volunteers.
  • Skill in observation in order to recognize and evaluate conditions of animal health, diets and behavior.
  • Ability to work long hours when rescues occur or veterinary appointments are necessary.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, and age or disability status in employment.  Individuals of Indian ancestry and Veterans will be given preference by law in initial employment or re-employment.

Conditions of Employment:

The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma operates a drug-free workplace.

  • Must submit to and pass applicable drug test.
  • Must pass background investigations for suitability of character identified in accordance with the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act

We Are Hiring!

We are looking to add to our team! We are hiring a lead bird trainer that utilizes positive reinforcement training in raptors (including eagles), corvids, and parrots, has experience leading a team, and has free flight experience. We are hoping to fill this position late July or August. We should be wrapping up construction on our education building which features an ~230 person auditorium designed for free flight. Please feel free to contact me with any questions at mjudkins@iowanation.org

Aviary Education Specialist (Lead Avian Trainer)
Grey Snow Eagle House
Perkins, OK
Eagles.iowanation.org, http://www.facebook.com/greysnoweaglehouse
Contact information: Dr. Megan Judkins, mjudkins@iowanation.org, 405-880-0734

Salary is DOE. Benefits include: full health including eyes and dental, 401K, life insurance policy, and paid sick leave and personal leave.
To apply: Please visit: https://www.bahkhoje.com/employment/

Summary of Responsibilities:
The Aviary Education Specialist will assist the Aviary Director in the daily care of the education birds, daily cleaning of the aviary, and educational presentations as needed. The incumbent will perform routine office activities necessary to facilitate the goals and objectives of the Eagle Aviary Program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Develop educational shows for schools and other venues utilizing the trained education birds.
• Carry out daily care needs for education birds.
• Handle and ensure proper care and training for education birds.
• Ensure there is enough equipment for each bird.
• Train other approved members of the staff to work with education birds per management’s request.
• Plan and oversee aviary education committee to ensure staff members are receiving training, shows are adequately planned and scheduled, and any problems are discussed.
• Seek out and remain current on all education bird techniques and methods.
• Attend trainings and seminars regarding education bird techniques at management’s request.
• Assist Aviary Assistant Manager to ensure program activities meet federal and state regulations.
• Maintain a detailed log of aviary activities and program files as determined by funding sources and aviary management.
• Assist in outreach activities including presentations and tours for Tribal members and the community.
• Assist with upkeep of the facility including daily cleaning, food preparation, and care of feeder animals.
• Participate in aviary committees when needed skill set will help that committee’s goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
• Previous experience working with or handling various species of raptors, parrots, and other avian species.
• Previous experience working in free flight programs.
• Preference for certified avian trainers through International Avian Trainers Certification Board or equivalent.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Must possess good communication skills when dealing with Tribal members and the community.
• Knowledge of Ioway’s or Native American cultural activities preferred.
• Is required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Routine exposure to outside weather conditions, bird holding areas where noise level in the work environment may be loud.
• Ability to lift and/or move items of up to fifty pounds.
• Must be able to read, understand, apply and retain knowledge of departmental rules, regulations and policies.
• Knowledge of animal behavior.
• Knowledge of procedures used for the proper care and handling of exotic and native birds.
• Knowledge of aviary safety rules and regulations.
• Ability to tolerate stress working with exotic and native birds.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions including procedures for care and maintenance of animals, exhibit, service and holding spaces.
• Ability to exhibit patience when caring for animals.
• Ability to exercise judgment concerning assigned work activities.
• Skill in tact and diplomacy when interacting with co-workers, visitors and volunteers.
• Skill in observation in order to recognize and evaluate conditions of animal health, diets and behavior.

Conditions of Employment:
The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma operates a drug-free workplace.
• Must submit to and pass applicable drug test.
• Must pass background investigations for suitability of character identified in accordance with the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver license with no serious violations.

Lead Poisoning

A few weeks ago we shared an article discussing the impacts of lead in bald and golden eagles across North America. In a timely fashion, we received another rehabilitation patient that had ingested lead. Luckily, we received the eagle before it was showing neurological signs and we were able to aid in the bird casting the lead fragments by providing lots of fur and feathers on its food. The eagle will stay in our ICU to be monitored for the development of neurological symptoms and to monitor its broken wing.
 
The attached pictures show the radiograph with the lead in the stomach and the radiograph of the dissected cast . The test tube had known lead fragments that were removed from previous casts. Just a note, some of the more vibrant items in the cast were small bones, not lead, which is why we had to investigate each piece of the cast. The paper shows how we tested fragments we thought were lead. Since lead writes (like lead in a pencil), we could drag any fragment on paper to see if it left a line.
 
As of today, radiographs show no lead in the stomach. While we are avid supporters or our sportsmen and women, we cannot urge you enough to please utilize non-lead ammunitions in your hunting endeavors. Anytime we get a lead poisoning case, it is deemed as critical and the results are not normally as promising as this case.
 
 

Lead Poisoning in Eagles

We have seen an increase in lead poisoning cases over the last few years in our Oklahoma bald and golden eagles at the GSEH. A new study puts what we are observing locally into a range wide perspective, showing the devastating impacts lead poisoning is having on bald and golden eagles nation wide. In this article, GSEH Director Dr. Megan Judkins was part of a group of people interviewed about their thoughts on the new study and lead poisonings in eagles.  
 

E-newsletter

The GSEH is staring a new monthly E-Newsletter to help communicate with our followers more effectively. We hope to bring you more behind the scenes content on the status of birds, projects, releases, etc. with more details than social media posts. It is our hope to stay in better contact with our guests and people that have an interest in our facility during these Covid times when our ability to be open is difficult. We hope you consider signing-up to get updates from the GSEH. [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]

July 13, 2021 Eagle Release

Today, we were happy to share our 35th and 36th eagle releases with Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma staff at the powwow grounds. Both of these eagles were injured earlier this year when they were hit by cars and needed several months of care in our ICU room and rehabilitation flight cage. With the completion of the wild eagle nesting season, we were able to get these two individuals back into the wild.