Overview

This Apprenticeship program helps recent graduates get the hands-on experience needed to pursue a successful career. The apprentice will be taught all they need to know to look after and manage a breeding group of Great-green Macaws, our focus species. They will be given the responsibility of managing a group of endangered Great-green Macaws in our captive breeding program. This includes monitoring for and care of several breeding pairs and their offspring. Our program is tailored to the individual and where interested the applicant will be encouraged to be involved in other projects relevant to a conservation center. Besides learning about captive husbandry the apprentice will also learn what it takes to run a conservation organization and get experience in managing a team of volunteers, a vital and transferable skill in the practical conservation field.

Apprentice Duties:

Person would be responsible for a group of breeders and would get to know the birds;
Daily food preparation and feeding of the breeding birds he/she is responsible for;
With the relevant on-site training the applicant will be monitoring and taking care of breeding pairs and their offspring;
He/she would be monitoring breeding attempts to ensure eggs and chicks have the best opportunity to survive;
He/she would be monitoring the health and behavior of the breeding birds;
Opportunities of learning broader conservation skills like education, tours, released/wild bird monitoring. Depending on applicants interest;
Regular site maintenance including aviary cleaning, providing perches and enrichment for captive birds and various other husbandry tasks;
Different general maintenance or development tasks may be assigned depending on our current needs and the skills and abilities of particular interns.
Background:

This applicant:

Has an educational background in a relevant field like Veterinary, Biology or Conservation Management;
Can demonstrate a commitment to conservation and/or wants to pursue a career in conservation;
Has previously volunteered at a conservation organisation;
to be comfortable being away from family and friends for longer.
Hours:

The Apprentice is expected to work 5.5 days a week. Monday to Friday from 5.30am until 5pm with a three-hour break and half a day in the weekend.

Duration of work:

The minimum and total duration is exactly seven months, from the first of December through to the end of June.

Desirable personal Qualities:

Dependable and responsible
Motivated and positive with a desire to contribute
Interested in bird- and nature conservation
Flexible, friendly, patient and optimistic
Sense of humor is helpful
Other benefits:

Great experience both in terms of travel and supporting a non-profit
Increased understanding and appreciation of different values and lifestyles
Increased skill in creative problem-solving
Increased skill in team management
Recognition Certificate if completed successfully, which will help future career
Anticipated costs:

All international and national travel costs to get to the site are your responsibility. On site accommodation and all utilities are provided. All volunteers buy and prepare all their own food and we recommend you budget for at least $40 per week, or more if you like luxuries.

Read more about the Ara Project and what it’s really like to work there, via the Conservation Careers blogs here.