Avian Caregiver-6 FT Positions for Couple or Roommates - Benson (Cascabel Area), AZ

Currently seeking 3 couples, or friends that are willing to share housing.  However, single applicants may be considered.

Due to our rural location we offer private housing on site. See Compensation section below for housing details.

About Us:

Our Sanctuary is a life-care facility for captive exotic Psittacines (parrots), although we do accept other captive avian species.  As a true sanctuary, we do not sell, breed or offer birds for adoption.  Some of our birds are physically challenged and require unique living or feeding situations.  Others have been passed from home to home, often being physically and/or emotionally abused, and have become fearful or aggressive. We offer the birds a stable and loving home for the duration of their natural lives. The sanctuary is located on 72 acres in the rural area of Cascabel, in southeastern Arizona. The closest retail services are located 25 miles south in Benson.

We are seeking passionate caregivers who will be dedicated to daily care and provide a deep devotion to the 800 birds who call our place home. This is not just a “job”, but an emotional investment in knowing the birds as individuals and helping the increasing numbers of parrots in need.  The work is physical, dirty and often unglamorous but can be highly rewarding with great personal satisfaction.

Responsibilities:

Our Caregivers must have a genuine interest in birds and their well being. You don’t need to have been a parrot caregiver before though that’s preferred. You do need to love them, and be dedicated to them, a hard worker, ready to always do what is needed for the parrots.  You need to be someone who likes people too, and can be warm and friendly with visitors and volunteers.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Daily feeding, which includes cleaning of food bowls and feeding areas, and preparing diets;
• Daily cleaning and maintenance of all cages and enclosures
• Monitoring the health of all animals and providing supportive medical care as needed, including administering medications;
• Providing enrichment and socialization interactions for happy and healthy birds
• Maintaining sanctuary grounds
• Special projects as needed

Requirements:

• Full time position-40 hours per week. Overtime as needed to ensure proper care of all animals. Employees are scheduled to work 5 days with a 2-day weekend. You must be willing to work weekends and holidays.
• Bird care and handling experience a plus. We will consider training the right person who is willing to learn about the unique care and needs of parrots;
• Must be able to perform regular, strenuous duties in all desert weather conditions. We can experience daily changes in climate;
• Must have the ability to lift and carry 50 pounds;
• Must be physically able to regularly lift, bend, reach, kneel and stand for long periods;
• Must be able to work in our indoor and outdoor dusty environments. Allergens are heavy due to desert dust and bird dander/dust;
• Must be able to tolerate high levels of noise;
• You will be exposed to animal waste and potentially aggressive parrots;
• Mechanical or maintenance skills are beneficial;
• Veterinary Assistant or Tech experience, or prior experience in an animal rescue setting is beneficial;
• Compassion and dependability a must;  
• Able to work independently but be cohesive with the team;
• Must be willing to live onsite in Oasis provided housing;
• Must possess a valid Driver’s License and reliable vehicle capable of handling county maintained dirt roads.

As part of the application process, selected applicants will be requested to travel to the sanctuary and volunteer a minimum of 4 days. We can offer accommodations on site, however travel and food is at the applicant’s expense.

Compensation:

• Modest hourly salary starting at $11.00/hour;
• On-site housing provided rent free. This equates to approximately $4800 in compensation annually. We currently have 3 homes available on site, each a home for a couple or two people who wish to share housing. Most pets are welcome;
• Essential utilities provided (electric, gas, water, trash removal). This equates to approximately $2400 in compensation annually;
• Non-essential utilities must be covered by employee (phone, internet, satellite/cable TV, etc);
• Modest health insurance allotment for employees carrying individual health insurance plans;
• Dental Discount plan available