About us

The High Desert Museum opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. As an interdisciplinary museum, it shares the stories of the High Desert region through cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of the High Desert region, which spans across 11 states of the Intermountain West. The Museum features 100,000 square feet of indoor space, which includes two permanent exhibitions and three changing galleries, and outdoor exhibits beyond the main building that include the Autzen Otter Exhibit, the Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center and the 1904 High Desert Ranch. The Museum also offers a range of programs, from summer Kids Camps to wildlife photography workshops. In FY2023-24, which ended on June 30, 2024, the Museum welcomed nearly 225,000 visitors, more than double the size of Bend.

The Museum is a private, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. It has become the largest cultural institution in Oregon east of the Cascades over the last four decades and today is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

About this job and what you’ll do

The Animal Outreach Wildlife Specialist is responsible for the safety, well-being, and exhibition of wildlife in human care. Experience with animal husbandry, training, and handling is essential. Conducts public programs with ambassador animals, delivers engaging interpretive talks on natural history, and works across taxa throughout the department in support of animal welfare.  The Animal Outreach Wildlife Specialist is also responsible for co-developing and conducting K-12 and public programs utilizing animals from the Wildlife Collection at the High Desert Museum with emphasis on conservation messages identified in the Conservation Plan. The Specialist will develop and maintain excellent relationships across the Education & Engagement Team and Wildlife Department, utilizing best practices and approaches to educating and interpreting to diverse audiences.

The Museum provides strong health and welfare benefits, plus 10.5 paid holidays, your birthday off, and three personal days per calendar year (this will be prorated based on hire date). You will also accrue two weeks of paid vacation per year for the first year of employment.

About who you are

You have two years of progressive experience working with animals in human care in a zoological setting, preferably with wildlife and birds of prey. As well as two years of experience providing educational and/or interpretive programming (formal or informal)

You possess an enthusiasm for learning about and staying current on all aspects of wildlife and human relationships with the landscape of the High Desert region.  Not only can you work with a variety of taxa including reptiles, fish, invertebrates, birds, and mammals – you are also familiar with basic tools for groundskeeping, construction of exhibit elements and use of equipment associated with the safe handling of trained wildlife.  Ideally, you have an associate or bachelor’s degree in a biological science or related discipline, but equivalent hands-on work experience or knowledge may be considered in lieu of a degree.  Certified Interpretive Guide Certification is preferred.

Want to learn more?

For a detailed job description listing the essential functions of this position and the education, experience, and skills requirements, click here.

Importantly, we recognize and honor that the qualifications required to excel in this position can come from a range of both professional and lived experiences. In the job description we describe what we believe to be important qualifications for a candidate to have while remaining open to the diversity of experiences that can lead to these skill sets. Position descriptions are at times presented in a way that leaves qualified candidates feeling unwelcome, intimidated, uncomfortable and/or unqualified to apply. Recognizing that, we strongly encourage anyone who feels passionate about this work and believes they have what it takes to thrive in this role to apply.

Want to apply?

Please email PDFs of your resume & cover letter to: jobs@highdesertmuseum.org

The Museum provides an equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/transgender status, age, disability, veteran or marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Mission

The High Desert Museum wildly excites and responsibly teaches through innovative, interdisciplinary experiences, creating connection to and dialogue about the High Desert.