Aviculture Internship at Endangered Grouse Breeding Facility

Background: The George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center (Sutton Center) was founded in 1983 with the mission of finding cooperative conservation solutions for birds and the natural world through science and education. The Sutton Center is a nonprofit organization located near Bartlesville, Oklahoma and has become a leader in avian research and conservation through success in conservation-oriented, ecological field research on declining grassland birds, development of techniques for the reintroduction and monitoring of southern bald eagles, bird surveying across the world, and management of successful captive breeding of endangered species.

Internship Description: One of Sutton Center’s projects is the breeding and reintroduction of the endangered Attwater’s prairie-chicken, a grouse species native to the grasslands of coastal Texas and Louisiana. The Sutton Center partners with three Texas-based captive breeding facilities. Prairie-chickens produced from the breeding program are released every summer to two release sites in coastal Texas. Time is divided between managing captive flock husbandry, incubating eggs, raising chicks, and maintaining insect colonies. Aviculture interns will assist staff in all day-to-day responsibilities. Daily tasks include preparing diets, feeding birds, cleaning enclosures, caring for mealworm and cricket colonies, assisting aviculturists with new breeding and chick care techniques, maintaining animal records, collecting and processing eggs, monitoring egg incubation, raising chicks, maintaining bird enclosures, and additional tasks as assigned. The Sutton Avian Research Center is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and encourages diversity in the workplace. For more information please visit www.suttoncenter.org.

Qualifications: Applicants must have completed two years of college or equivalent practical experience. Applicants must be capable of working long hours in a fast-paced environment, lifting 50lbs and working in high heat and inclement weather conditions. Interns must be able to work independently and in a team atmosphere, be attentive to fine details, observant to animal behaviors and able to follow instructions. A valid driver’s license and good driving record is required. Applicants should have their own vehicle for personal use as this is a rural facility. Prior bird experience is a plus but not required. Interns will be required to work weekends and holidays. The internship is a three-to-six-month commitment. The ideal candidate would be available from March or April through August to coincide with the breeding season and transfer of birds for release.

Applicants reviewed on a rolling basis.

Stipend: Wage is $7.25/hour plus overtime. On-site housing is an affordable option that is available on a first-come first-serve basis. The on-site housing is shared housing, $200/month and limited to three interns. We encourage local applicants who will not need on-site housing.