Bird Manager / Specialist Aviculture (Eastern Cape)

Job Position: Bird Manager / Specialist Aviculture (Eastern Cape)

Location: Eastern Cape

Ref: 5301

Salary: Commensurate with experience and Housing provided

Email your CV to recruit@onlinepersonnel.co.za

Qualifications / Requirements:

An exceptional opportunity for a passionate, hands-on bird specialist to take responsibility for the care, management, breeding and wellbeing of a specialist bird farm in the Eastern Cape.

We are looking for someone with genuine technical knowledge of birds, a strong conservation ethos and the practical ability to take ownership of the day-to-day management of a specialised aviculture environment.

The Role:

The successful candidate will be responsible for the overall care, health, breeding, safety and management of the birds, ensuring exceptionally high standards of welfare and husbandry are maintained

Key responsibilities will include:

• Hands-on management and daily care of birds
• Developing and managing breeding and reproduction programmes
• Monitoring breeding pairs, nesting, incubation, hatching and chick development
• Maintaining accurate records relating to individual birds, breeding, health and movements
• Monitoring health, nutrition, behaviour and general condition, identifying potential problems early and liaising with veterinary professionals where required
• Managing and maintaining appropriate temperature, humidity, ventilation, lighting and environmental conditions
• Ensuring aviaries, enclosures and facilities meet the required standards of hygiene, safety and welfare
• Implementing appropriate quarantine, disease-prevention and biosecurity procedures
• Ensuring strict protocols are followed regarding the handling, movement and security of birds
• Managing feed programmes and ensuring nutritional requirements are consistently met
• Monitoring bird behaviour and identifying stress, illness, injury or breeding-related concerns
• Maintaining accurate computerised records and reports
• Working with relevant authorities and ensuring CITES-related documentation, permits, records and compliance requirements are correctly managed
• Ensuring compliance with applicable conservation, animal welfare and environmental legislation
• Maintaining a safe, clean, highly controlled and professionally managed bird environment

What We Are Looking For:

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• A Nature Conservation qualification – ESSENTIAL
• Proven hands-on experience working extensively with birds – ESSENTIAL
• Strong practical knowledge of avian husbandry, breeding and reproduction
• Sound understanding of bird health, nutrition, behaviour and welfare
• Knowledge of environmental requirements including humidity, temperature, ventilation and lighting
• Experience with or exposure to CITES certification, permitting and associated compliance
• An understanding of conservation principles and responsible captive breeding
• Strong observational skills and the ability to identify subtle changes in bird behaviour or condition
• Excellent organisational and record-keeping abilities
• Computer literacy
• Valid drivers license
• The maturity and responsibility to work independently and take full ownership of the collection

Most Importantly…

• We are looking for someone who is genuinely passionate about birds and breeding.
• This position will suit an individual who doesn’t simply work with birds but has a deep understanding of them, their behaviour, breeding, health, environment and welfare and takes immense pride in maintaining the highest possible standards of care.